5 Best Ways to Fix Skype Custom Video Background Not Showing

5 Best Ways to Fix Skype Custom Video Background Not Showing

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in the number of video calls. While most people like the idea of ​​working from home, it is a nightmare for some. The reason being their background during video calls. With Zoom and Microsoft Teams offering the ability to change the background, Skype didn’t want to stay behind. So we now have the ability to change the background of Skype video calls. However, if you can’t do it, we’ll explain how to fix custom backgrounds that don’t work in Skype video calling.


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You are not alone if you are concerned about the appearance of your background when you are on a Skype video call. Many people are more worried about their journey than the current video call. This is because the world is full of people who make judgments.

Fortunately, with virtual backgrounds on Skype, your original background is replaced with an image of your choice. Your body is detected automatically and it appears in front of the background giving a natural appearance.

Let’s see different ways to fix video backgrounds that don’t work on Skype.

1. Restart the computer

Do you tend to avoid turning off your PC? This could be the reason why you cannot see the custom video background functionality on your Skype app. It is likely that your Skype application has not been updated recently and since your PC has not been restarted for a long time, you do not see the custom background function. So save your work and restart your computer.

2. Update Skype

Custom background functionality is available in Skype versions 8.59.0.77 and above. To check your current version of Skype, open the Skype app and click the three-dot icon at the top. Select Help and Comments.


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You will see the Skype version and the application version. If you are using an earlier version, you need to update the Skype app.


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3. Supported operating system

We have sad news here. Custom image backgrounds for Skype video calls currently only work for computers. You can use it on Windows, Mac and Linux. Unfortunately, iOS and Android users will have to wait.

There is more in history. Strangely, the backgrounds don’t work on Skype for Windows 10 (version 14), that is, the one you download from the Microsoft Store. You only have the background blur function. However, if you download Skype from its website, you can use the custom backgrounds.

So if you are eager to try out the feature then you need to download Skype from the link below. Choose Skype for Windows from the drop-down list. Interestingly, you can have both versions of Skype on your Windows 10 system.


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Note: Your PC processor must support Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) for background blurring and custom backgrounds.

4. Logout

If you are using a compatible operating system, you should also try to log out of the Skype app to bring custom backgrounds to it. To do this, launch the Skype application and click on the three-dot icon at the top. Select Sign out. Then reconnect.


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Point: Find out what happens when you delete your Skype account.

5. Correct way to use a custom video background in Skype

There are two ways to change the background: while you are on the phone or to change it for all calls.

Point: Add landscape orientation images to fill the entire screen. Avoid adding images taken in portrait orientation.

Let’s check both methods.

Change Skype video background for all video calls

Step 1: Launch the supported Skype application on your computer.

2nd step: Click on the profile picture icon or on the three dots icon at the top and select Settings.


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Step 3: Go to the Audio and Video tab. You will find the Choose background effect option. Click Add Image to add your custom background.

Point: To remove the custom background from the video call, click None.


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Change the Skype video background for the current call

When you’re on a Skype call, keep your mouse over the video icon. Select Choose background effect from the menu.

Point: On Skype for Windows 10, turn on the toggle next to Blur my background to hide your background.


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The audio and video settings screen opens. Click Add image under Choose a background effect. Then navigate to the folder containing your background. Select it.


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Note: The backgrounds must be saved on your computer. You cannot add from the Internet or cloud services such as OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.

Bonus tip: use Snapchat filters in Skype

Similar to Zoom, you can add awesome Snapchat filters to your live Skype videos. We covered it in detail for the Zoom app. The steps are similar and you need to download the Snap Camera app, run it in the background and change the default camera on Skype. Check out our post on Snapchat filters in Zoom for the first two steps.

Once you’ve done that, open the Skype app and go to its settings. Click Audio and Video. Then click on the drop-down list above the video preview. Select Snap Camera from the list.


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Cool backgrounds for Skype calls

We hope you have been satisfied with the solutions mentioned above. Once you get the virtual background feature on Skype, check out our awesome collection of wallpapers that you can use as your background.

Then:

Enhance your Skype experience with keyboard shortcuts. Discover the best keyboard shortcuts for Skype from the following link.

Last updated April 30, 2020

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