How to Change Skype Backgrounds

Last updated on November 10th, 2023

As people switch to remote work and online meetings amid Covid-19, there have been a few winners in the battle for remote meeting dominance including platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype. Not everyone is likely to have a glamorous background when working from home. In fact, you might not have the time to fix the mess or pick up your toddler’s toys before a Skype video call. You can therefore morph your actual background with a virtual one. Learn all about how to change Skype backgrounds from our detailed tutorial below.

How to Blur or Customize Skype Background

Changing your background for remote meetings or a one on one call is an option that is available for a number of apps such as Zoom and Skype.

Related: Zoom Video Conferencing in the Time of COVID 19

You can blur or change Skype background for Windows or Mac or via the web based version of Skype via Audio & Video Settings. You also get this option when installing Skype during the process of testing and setting up your audio and video settings.

Step 1: Click your Skype image and click Settings.

skype settings

Step 2: Go to Audio & Video and click Blur to blur your background or Add Image to select an image as your new Skype background. You can also blur your Skype background when enabling video during a Skype call.

skype background settings

Step 3: Once you add an image, you will be able to change your Skype background with a custom one. This image will immediately become your virtual background.

skype custom background

Change Skype Backgrounds During a Live Call

You can change your Skype background on the fly during a video call or select a custom image as your virtual background via Choose background effect.

choose background effect

You can either select an already added picture, blur your background or upload an image instantly during a video call to quickly hide or change your background.

change background during a skype video call

Unable to Customize Skype Background Issue: Fix

Many people complaint about their inability to find the option to customize their Skype background. There can be two primary reasons for this, each mentioned below in detail.

Wrong Skype Version: The ability to customize your background is currently available for Windows, Mac and Linux. The most common issue in this case is the use of the Microsoft Store version of Skype, which does not support this feature. As it comes with Windows 10, many people might simply use this version instead of downloading and installing the app from the Skype website. However, since this version does not allow you to change Skype backgrounds, you can simply download and install Skype manually to overcome this issue. The below image shows the different logos of both versions. The version which supports background customization is highlighted in the screenshot below. This version has a darker Skype logo, with the ‘S’ in white instead of blue.

Support for Advanced Vector Extensions 2: Another reason can be that your system does not support the required hardware for background customization. Your computer would require a processor which supports Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) for you to be able to customize your Skype background.

skype versions

Recommended Background Settings

You might want to ensure your video does not appear too bright or dull. You can do this via webcam settings, by adjusting your light, using green screen and downloading the right type of background.

Webcam Settings

A Skype video can often appear dull. One of the usual suspects is your webcam. You can adjust tour webcam via Settings -> Audio & Video -> Webcam Settings. You can use the given options to tweak your webcam brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, white balance, etc. Furthermore, you can head over to Camera Control to manage zoom, exposure, focus, aperture, pan, tilt and roll settings.

skype webcam settings

Using Skype with Green Screen

Making adjustments prior to a Skype call can save you the possibility of being embarrassed for appearing odd on your Skype call. Try to avoid wearing clothes that are too similar to your background. Some apps like Zoom allow better background adjustment with a green screen or green backdrop. Using a green screen with Skype can do wonders for your Skype call. Here is a short video which explains the use of green screen with Skype.

Picture Resolution

You might want to make sure that the image you pick is HD, as well as ensure that the room you are in is well lit. You can change your actual background with an image with a recommended size of 1280×720 or 1920×1080 pixels. While smaller resolutions might also work, you don’t want to pixelate your image or appear odd because of a low resolution background image.
 
skype background image resolution

Downloading Skype Backgrounds

You can download a number of Skype backgrounds from online sources or use one from your camera roll. We are recommending two sources for Skype backgrounds that you can use for downloading HD backdrops that can go with your remote meeting needs.
 

FPPT

FPPT is home to more than 17,435+ PowerPoint templates and backgrounds which can also be used with Skype due to their high resolution. You can find a number of useful backgrounds by browsing through the FPPT archive. You can download the Coworking Space Skype Background shown below or use the Technology Skype Background, Consulting Room Zoom Background or the Relaxation Skype Background. You can also extract images from our free PowerPoint bundles or save background from PowerPoint after customizing them with your custom logo and saving them in an image format via the PowerPoint File menu. See our complete list of free PowerPoint backgrounds.

custom skype background

Hello Backgrounds

Hello backgrounds is a website which provides a wide range of premium backgrounds for Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. You can choose from professional Skype backgrounds to give your Skype video calls a look that goes with an office space, home or a fancy background. Learn more here to download Skype Backgrounds.

hello backgrounds

Final Words

Skype like Zoom is a great app for not only remote meetings and coordination for working from home but also to morph your background during a video call to ensure you appear professional and avoid any embarrassment due to a messed up backdrop. You can explore various customization options mentioned in our post, such as the use of green screen and webcam settings to improve your appearance in Skype to look your best during a Skype video call.

About Farshad

IT professional, communications specialist and Blogger!

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