Using Virtual Backgrounds in Zoom

• The virtual background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom Meeting. This feature works best with a green screen and uniform lighting, to allow Zoom to detect the difference between you and your background
  • If you do not have a green screen, choose a setting that has a solid, uniform color behind you

• You can also upload your own images or videos as a virtual background. There are no size restrictions when adding your own virtual backgrounds, but we recommend cropping the image to match the aspect ratio of your camera before uploading it.

  Example: If your camera is set to 16:9, an image of 1280 pixels by 720 px or 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels would work well.

Setup Virtual Backgrounds

• Sign in to the Zoom desktop client
• Click your profile picture then click Settings.
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• Select Virtual Background
  • If you do not have the Virtual Background tab and you have enabled it on the web portal, sign out of the Zoom Desktop Client and sign in again
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  • If prompted, click "Download" to download the package for virtual background without a green screen.
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• You will be able to view a preview of the background and adjust your settings
• Check "I have a green screen" if you have a physical green screen set up. You can then click on your video to select the correct color for the green screen
• Click on an image to select the desired virtual background or add your own image by clicking + and choosing if you want to upload an image or a video
  • Choose videos carefully, as they can be distracting for other participants in a meeting
• To disable, select the image option "None"
  • Note:  In the example below, the background only recognizes the uniform wall color, and not the window.  This will appear in your meeting if you are not seated in front of a solid, uniform colored wall
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• After you select an option, that virtual background will display during your meetings

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Enabling Virtual Background during a Meeting - Desktop Client

• Once you have already enabled virtual background, you can turn it on during a meeting
• In a Zoom meeting click the ^ arrow next to "Start/Stop Video"
• Click "Choose a virtual background"
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Enabling Virtual Background during a Meeting - Zoom Room

• Tap the settings gear icon on your Zoom Room controller
• Tap "Virtual Background", then tap the background you would like, then tap "Done"
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If you are experiencing issues with Virtual Background, try the following troubleshooting tips:

• If you do not have the Virtual Background tab in your Desktop Client settings after enabling it, sign out of the client and sign in again
• Manually pick the background color to ensure the correct color is selected. This option is only available after you click an image
• Ensure that the background is a solid color with minimal shadows. Also ensure the background is uniform in lighting. A 3 point lighting setup is ideal
• Ensure that your green screen color does not match your shirt or eye color​​​

• View other WesternU Knowledge Base articles on Zoom here
• View Zoom tutorials and videos here