How To Add A Custom Teams Background (Windows 11)

Virtual meetings have become a staple of modern communication, and platforms like Microsoft Teams offer a wealth of features to enhance the experience. While built-in backgrounds are a good start, adding a custom background allows you to truly personalize your virtual presence, whether for professional branding, a bit of fun, or simply to hide a cluttered environment. If you're a Windows 11 user looking to stand out in your next Teams call, you're in the right place.

This guide will walk you through the simple steps to upload and use your own custom images as backgrounds, ensuring your virtual meetings are as unique as you are.

Updated 26/06/25

Requirements:

Windows 11 PC
Microsoft Teams installed and logged in
A custom image file (.JPG, .PNG, or .BMP, recommended size: 1920x1080)
Access to the local file system

Procedure:

Step 1: Join or Start a Meeting

Open Microsoft Teams and start or join a meeting.
Turn on your camera, then click the “More” (three dots) menu in the top bar.
Select “Effects and Avatars”, then click “Video effects”.

Step 2: Upload Custom Image

Scroll to the bottom of the Backgrounds section.
Click + Add new or Upload background image.
Browse to your saved custom background image and select it.

Step 3: Apply Custom Background

After uploading, your image will appear in the background preview list.
Click the image to preview it.
Click Apply to use it immediately.

Post-Upload Validation

Join or preview a video meeting.
Check that the background is displayed properly (not blurry or cut off).
Test in different lighting to ensure clarity.

Notes & Best Practices

Image should be landscape-oriented for best results (16:9 ratio).
Avoid text or logos near edges—Teams may crop the image.
Blurry or animated images may degrade performance of the call.

How To Add A Custom Teams Background (Windows 11)

Your IT, simplified.

Get in touch with an expert today.