Email, Messaging, & Video Calls Video Calls How to Blur the Background In Skype Use the Blur My Background feature for a more professional backdrop By Tricia Goss Writer Tricia Goss has been a writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tricia Goss Updated February 26, 2020 The Ultimate Guide to Skype The Ultimate Guide to Skype Introduction Skype Basics Internet Speed Required for Skype HD Calls How Much Does It Cost to Use Skype? How to Delete Your Skype Account Guide to Using Skype as Your Home Phone Getting Started How to Change Your Skype Username Setting up a Conference Call With Skype How to Make a Skype Conference Call How to Make HD Video Calls With Skype How to Share a Screen on Skype Tips for Using Skype How to Record Skype Calls Use Skype's Split View Mode in Windows 10 Stop Skype From Starting Automatically How to Blur the Background In Skype How to Find and Use Skype Emoji How to Skype With Alexa Working with Contacts How to Add Contacts on Skype How to Delete Skype Contacts How to Block Someone on Skype How to Unblock Someone on Skype How to Delete a Skype Conversation Skype on Different Platforms Installing Skype on Ubuntu Installing Skype on a Mac Using Skype on an iPad & iPhone Using Skype on a Chromebook Using Skype in a Web Browser How to Use Skype for Android Creating a Skype Account on Windows Troubleshooting & Updating What to Do When Skype Isn't Working Make a Test Call How to Uninstall Skype How to Update Fix Skype Webcam Problems Tweet Share Email One of the benefits of Skype is that you can make video calls anywhere, provided you have an adequate internet connection. But a messy room or busy coffee shop is not the most professional-looking backdrop for a professional video chat. While you might not be able to change the location from which you are calling, you can make your surroundings a bit less distracting. Learn how to use the background blur feature in Skype to make your video calls appear more polished. These instructions apply to Skype (version 8) on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Skype for Windows 10 (version 14). What Is Background Blur? Background blur is available on most desktops and laptops with an up-to-date version of Skype. The tool works in real time during your video call. When you use the background blur setting, your backdrop will be softened and slightly fuzzy, helping your contact focus on you and not your cluttered office or the people sitting behind you. Although this feature works well most of the time, Skype does not guarantee that your background will always be blurred when you enable this setting. How to Blur Background in a Skype Video Call You can only enable the background blur setting when your video call is in progress. Start Skype and log-in if prompted. Click Start a Conversation. Click on the name of the contact with whom you want to connect. Alternatively, search for the name of the person you want to call. Start a video call with your contact. Hover over the Video icon. Click the Blur My Background toggle switch that appears to turn on the Skype feature. Your background will instantly be subtly blurred. You can toggle the switch off again at any time if you wish to sharpen the background once more. Skype software uses AI to detect human forms including hair, arms, and hands, so you are free to move or gesture during your Skype video call and the background will remain softly blurred.