A Detailed Guide on How to Blur Background in Zoom

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Due to the rise of remote work, video conferencing has become a staple in our professional and personal lives. Finding an aesthetically neat and good-looking spot for video calls can be challenging, and a blurred Zoom background is necessary.

Among its other user-friendly features, this one by Zoom helps you advance your privacy, minimize distractions, and maintain professionalism, no matter your location.

All this being said, here’s a straightforward guide on how to blur background in Zoom.

What You Need to Know Before You Blur Background on Zoom

To achieve a blurred Zoom background, let’s ensure you meet these simple necessary prerequisites:

• The latest version (version 5.5.0 or higher) of Zoom desktop client for Windows or macOS,
• Zoom mobile app for Android or iOS – version 5.6.6 or higher,
• A processor with a minimum of a quad-core or higher.

Meeting these requirements ensures you can successfully blur background on Zoom without errors.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Blur Background in Zoom

Trying to figure out how to blur background in Zoom may occur in different situations. You may have some time before the call and decide to blur it. But you may also feel the need to do it when you’re already on the call. Thus, it’s good to be prepared for both situations. No matter what device you’re going to use, here are the instructions: 

Before a Call

1. Launch Zoom and sign in to your account.
2. Navigate to the ‘Settings’ icon in the top right corner as you click on your profile picture.
3. From the list that it opens, select the ‘Background & Filters’ tab.

Here, you’ll see an option for ‘Blur’. Selecting this will instantly blur your background.

During a Call

1. While in a Zoom call, notice the ‘^’ arrow next to the ‘Stop Video’ button on the toolbar (see the image below.)
2. From the menu, select ‘Blur My Background’.

On Android / iOS

1. Tap the screen to bring up the meeting controls.
2. Tap on ‘More’, then select ‘Virtual Background’.
3. Choose the ‘Blur’ option to apply a blurred Zoom background to your video.

Troubleshooting: What to Do if Your Blurred Zoom Background Isn’t Showing Up?

There are technical issues you may encounter as you get to learn how to blur background in Zoom. The following steps may be helpful if you encounter blurred background problems:

• Update Zoom: Ensure your Zoom application is updated to the latest version.
• Check hardware requirements: Verify if your device meets the necessary hardware specifications. With an Intel processor from the 6th generation and up you can use the blur background on Zoom feature. Thus, if you have 5th gen Intel or lower on your Windows/Mac, you won’t be able to use this feature.
• Restart Zoom: Sometimes, simply restarting the Zoom application can resolve the issue.
• Reinstall the application: This can be one of the possible solutions. To reinstall: 

1. Go to your settings.
2. Select ‘Apps’ and scroll down to Zoom
3. Click on Zoom and select ‘Uninstall,’ then, confirm the action. 
4. Then, go to the official website of Zoom and install the latest version again.
   

• Contact Support: If problems persist, try contacting Zoom’s support team to receive further assistance.

Zoom Background Blur vs. Background Image: Pros and Cons

When considering how to blur background in Zoom, you may encounter the alternative of using a background image. However, you should be mindful of the following: 

• Professionalism: A blurred background maintains focus on you, reducing distractions, whereas a background image can add personal flair but might not be suitable for all meetings.
• Privacy: Both options provide privacy, but a blurred background ensures that nothing in your surroundings is distinguishable.
• Performance: Blurring requires less processing power than running a high-resolution image as your background, potentially offering a smoother video call experience.

Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of both options:

Get the Most out of Your Zoom Calls With Advanced Features

Enhancing your calls doesn’t stop with a blurred Zoom background. Krisp – an AI-powered meeting assistant, offers additional features to elevate your video conferencing:

• Noise Cancellation: Eliminate background noise from your environment, ensuring your voice is crystal clear.
• Background Voice Cancellation: Target and remove specific voices other than your own for uninterrupted communication.
• Automatic Transcriptions: Enjoy accurate transcriptions without having to manually take notes.
• AI Meeting Notes and Action Items: Use AI to summarize your meetings and outline action items, saving time and enhancing productivity with Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant.
• Call Recording: Record your calls for playback, ensuring you haven’t missed any details. 

If you combine Zoom’s blur feature with Krisp’s suite of enhancements, you’re set to deliver professional, efficient, and high-quality video calls, regardless of where you are or what’s happening around you. 

Maximize your impact during virtual meetings and make them as effective and engaging as possible by embracing these tools. 

Final Words on Blurring Your Background on Zoom 

Learning how to blur background in Zoom by following the simple steps outlined in this guide can significantly enhance your video conferencing experience. As a result, you’ll rest assured that you have privacy, professionalism, and a polished appearance on your virtual calls. 

All this being said, you should update your Zoom application regularly and check your device’s hardware requirements to avoid technical issues. Finally, consider using Krisp’s AI-powered meeting assistant with Zoom’s background blur feature for even better video conferencing results!

Frequently Asked Questions