In this article, we will introduce how to use the “background blur” that is installed as a new function of the virtual background.

If you can’t blur the background, the causes and solutions are also summarized, so please refer to them as well.

Points to check before using Zoom’s blur function

Before explaining the procedure for blurring the background, let’s first look at the prerequisites and recommended environment for the virtual background feature, including background blur.

Virtual background system requirements

The specifications of each device required to blur the background are as follows. (without green screen)

Windows

• Zoom desktop client version 5.2.0 or higher
• Windows7/8/10 (64-bit)
• Supported processors: Intel i3 (2 cores or more, 5th generation or later) / i5 (2 cores or more, 3rd generation or later) / i7 (2 cores or more, 3rd generation or later) / i9 (2 cores or more, 3rd generation or later) later)/AMD (logic core 8/3.0GHz or higher)

macOS

• Zoom desktop client version 4.6.0 or higher
• macOS 10.13 or later
• Supported processors: Apple M1/i5 (2 cores or more, 6th generation or later) / i7 (4 cores or more, 4th generation or later)

Linux

• Zoom desktop client version 2.0 or later
• 2 cores or more, 2Ghz or more processor (i5/i7 or AMD equivalent)
• Required: Green screen for filming

iOS

• Zoom mobile app version 5.3.0 or later
• iPhone8/8+/X or later
• iPad Pro, 5th/6th generation iPad 9.7, 7th generation or later iPad 10.2

Android

• Zoom mobile app version 5.3.0 or later
• Android 8.0 or later
• arm64 processor (8 cores or more)
• RAM: 3GB or more

Recommended environment for beautiful blurring

In order to blur the background beautifully, it is recommended to prepare the following environment in addition to the machine specifications mentioned above.

• Use in a room with plain wallpaper (preferably green) or by installing a green screen
• Use of high-quality webcams
• Use uniform lighting
• Avoid wearing clothes that are the same color as your background

How to blur the background during a Zoom meeting

Next, let’s look at the operating procedure for actually blurring the background for each device.

Enabling the virtual background feature

Since the background blurring function is a kind of virtual background function, it is necessary to activate the virtual background function first if you want to use it.

To enable the virtual background feature, follow the steps below.

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal (https://zoom.us/)
2. Select “Zoom webinar window smaller, other options will move to [ Details ]. There are also new Settings” on the My Account page
3. Turn on the “Virtual Background” item

If you have a contract with a paid Zoom license, you can enable and set virtual backgrounds for each account and group in addition to each user.

Blur the background with the desktop app

There are two ways to blur the background on the computer version of Zoom: applying blur in advance and adding blur settings after the meeting starts .

To set background blur before the meeting starts

1. Launch the Zoom desktop app
2. Select “Settings (gear icon)” on the home screen
3. Select the “Background and Filters” item
4. Click “Blur” in the list of virtual backgrounds

When blurring the background during a meeting

1. Launch the Zoom desktop app and start the meeting
2. Move the cursor to the toolbar at the bottom of the screen
3. Select “^” to the right of “Stop Video”
4. Select “Choose a virtual background” (or “Choose a virtual background”)
5. Click “Blur” in the list of virtual backgrounds

Blur background in mobile app

1. Launch the Zoom mobile app and start the meeting
2. Tap the toolbar at the bottom of the screen after the meeting starts
3. Tap “Details” at the bottom right of the screen
4. Tap on “Backgrounds and Filters”
5. Tap “Blur” in the list of virtual backgrounds

remove blur

You can cancel the blur by moving to the virtual background selection screen again and selecting “None” from the virtual background list.

You can change the blurring on or off at any time, so it’s a good idea to use it properly according to the location and the person you are meeting with.

Causes and solutions when the background blurring function cannot be used

If the function to blur the background is not displayed or cannot be selected, the following causes are possible.

Old version of Zoom

The blurring function was added to Zoom’s virtual background function since version 5.5 of Zoom .

Therefore, if you cannot find the blur function even after following the above steps, it is possible that the version of Zoom is older than 5.5.

Check for Zoom updates by the following method, and update to the latest version if an update is available.

1. Click the user icon in the upper right corner of the home screen of the Zoom app
2. Click “Check for Updates”
3. If “Updates are available” is displayed, click “Update”

For smartphones and tablets, you can check for updates and perform updates on the App Store (or Google Play).

Insufficient device specs

If the blur function is displayed but cannot be used, it is possible that the device using Zoom does not meet the system requirements.

In addition, it seems that there are cases where the load on the device is reduced by terminating applications other than Zoom, and the blurring function can be used normally.

summary

• From version 5.5 onwards of Zoom, a function to blur the background has been added as one of the virtual background functions.
• The background blurring function is available on both desktop and mobile apps
• If the background blurring function cannot be used, it may be solved by updating Zoom etc.

The virtual background feature, including background blur, is a useful feature that allows you to hide the appearance of the room and protect your privacy.

In addition to blurring and existing backgrounds, you can also set original images and videos, so please try setting various backgrounds according to the usage scene.