How to Use Zoom Filters and Set a Virtual Background [Quick Guide]

Step 1. Open the settings

Before you can apply any filters, you must access your settings in Zoom. Follow these steps to make it happen:

1. Open your Zoom client.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
4. Click the Background & effects tab, where you can preview your webcam and adjust various video settings.

Step 2. Access backgrounds and filters

Within the Background & effects you can choose from three tabs and one link at the bottom right of the menu.

• Virtual backgrounds
• Video filters
• Avatars
• Studio effects (link in blue at the bottom of the Virtual backgrounds tab)

Step 3. Choose your background, filter, avatar, or effect

Under each tab, you will see a collection of video filters ranging from color effects to whimsical frames and facial features. Browse through the options and click on any filter or effect to preview how it looks with your camera feed.

Virtual backgrounds

1. Click on any background to activate.
2. Click None to deactivate.

Custom backgrounds

1. To add your own image or video, click the + sign next to Virtual Backgrounds. Select Add Image or Add Video.
2. Locate and select your desired image file, then click Open to set it as your background. This background will now appear during your Zoom sessions and be available in your virtual background options.
3. If you wish to remove a previously uploaded image, click the X on its thumbnail in the background selection area.

Blurred background

Zoom makes it easy to blur your background quickly during a meeting if needed.

1. Enter the meeting or webinar.
2. Click the Up arrow icon next to the Start/Stop Video icon.
3. Select Blur My Background.
4. If the option isn’t available, you may need to update your Zoom client.

Video filters

Zoom provides subtle filters that enhance your appearance, and fun filters that add visual elements like masks, hats, glasses, makeup, or jewelry.

1. Like the backgrounds, you can simply click on any filter to activate.
2. Click the None icon to deactivate.

Avatars

If you’d like to change your look for a meeting completely, you can choose from Zoom’s selection of animal avatars.

1. Click any of the icons to enable.
2. Click the None icon to disable.

Custom avatars

1. Zoom also has a feature to create your own avatar as well. Click the + icon at the top of the menu next to the None icon, and a menu will appear.
2. It’s possible to customize your avatar with tons of options like skin tone, hair color and style, eyes, eye color, eyelashes, nose, lips, mouth, and so much more. You can even adjust the age and clothing of your avatar and add a hat or glasses.

Effects

1. To access effects, click the Virtual background tab first, and then click the blue Studio effects link at the bottom of the window.
2. From there, a menu will appear to the right, allowing you to alter the look of your eyebrows, lip color, or mustache and beard.
3. Like the other menus, click on any icon to activate and click the None icon to deactivate.

1. Position your green screen directly behind your seating area.
2. Open Zoom and access your profile settings via your name at the top right.
3. Go to Settings, then select Background & Effects from the sidebar.
4. Check the option I have a green screen and select your preferred virtual background to enhance its appearance.

Note: if you’re using a green screen, be sure that green screen color differs from your shirt, eyes, and/or hair. Otherwise, the system may display the background over the color.