Video calling is a tricky business, especially when it is a business meeting, and you must attend the video call in a public place. The problem is just not the noise, but what’s going on in the background. Things could get a little annoying in no time. If you use Microsoft Teams, you can blur the background in the Microsoft team meeting. It’s simple, but at the moment it is not available for Linux users.
Blurred background at Microsoft team meeting
To blur the background of the Microsoft Teams meeting, follow these steps:
- Start your meeting in Microsoft Teams or join a meeting
- When you see your video output, click on the Ellipse or three dots icon available on video control
- To select Blur my background, and you should have your background blurred, or you can blur your background during a video call using the CTRL + Shift + P combination
- To start a meeting with a background blur, move the blur cursor – the one to the right of the video cursor – to the right Choose your audio and video settings screen when you join the meeting
While public nuisance is one reason, wasted rooms and living rooms may be another. So if you want to have something that hides it all in a subtle way, background blurring is the way to go.
Microsoft Teams blur the missing background
If you are can’t see blurred background option under More options, it means your device is not yet supported. Microsoft is still working to make this functionality available for all devices, as it may also depend on the capacity of the device. So if you don’t see it, don’t panic; it may take them a while to activate support.
According to Microsoft, the person and background detection feature only works on computers with Advanced Vector Extension 2 (AVX2) graphic. AVX2 is what teams use to blur the background after determining where the user is. If your computer has a post-Haswell chipset, then you will have the option. Microsoft also says it will impact your PC as it fades in real time and also weighs down the processor.
I have browsed forums and the minimum hardware support seems risky. Some user reports with a PC supporting AVX2 do not also have this option. I guess it’s okay combination of hardware and software it makes a difference.
Here is a list of Hardware decoder and encoder driver recommendations for a list of unsupported decoders and encoders. You may have an unsupported decoder / encoder that is causing the problem.
I hope you were able to blur the background during the Microsoft Teams meeting, and if not, you know that it is probably the device that is not supported.
Related Reading: How to blur the background in Skype calls.