Blur Background option suddenly missing

Question

Last week I had an option to blur my background while in meetings in Microsoft Teams.  I was just in a meeting today where that was no longer an option even though other people did have blurred background in the meeting.  I have version 1.3.00.3564 (64-bit) and it says it was last updated on 3/5/20, so it does not seem to have been updated since it was working correctly.

Answer 1

Hi Corey Doty,

As per the Docs article below, the background blur feature requires a CPU with AVX2 support: 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/hardware-requirements-for-the-teams-app

Engineering has confirmed that a crashing bug was identified recently on machines without AVX2 which is why the feature was available previously for you and is no longer showing up. The bug has now been fixed and will be rolling out in an update soon. Once that fix reaches your machine, the background blur option should appear again.

Thanks,

Omar

Answer 2

Omar,

Are you saying that once the bug is fixed and rolled out, that PCs without the AVX2 support on their CPU will be able to use background effects?

Answer 3

Hi MS

I have the same issue, the option has disappeared even though I have the latest version.  I've checked Web App too and it isn't available there either.  You have Microsoft Teams Version 1.3.00.8663 (64 bit). It was last updated on 2020/04/09.

Answer 4

I tried the "Check for updates" option and it said "You've got the latest updates. Enjoy!", but I still have the version I posted above.  I checked the web app and it doesn't have the background effects option, and I know other people in my organization do have the "Show background effects" option.  I checked what version they have, and they are using 1.3.00.4461 (64-bit) also.

Answer 5

I just checked, and I do not have any "Show background effects" option.  The only options I have that aren't in my previous screenshot are "End meeting" and "Show meeting notes", all other options are the same as previously posted.

Hi Corey Doty - I see from your previous note that you updated Teams on March 30. Can you confirm if you have updated Teams since then? I don't believe there is an option to turn that feature off at the service level but let me check and get back to you on that. Please also check in the web app if this is still happening and if other users in your organization can still see the option.

Thanks,

Omar