# Blur or replace your camera background

> Open Device settings (or the join screen), pick Blur or one of six backgrounds under Background, check the preview, and click Save; the effect runs in your browser and only on a computer.

Category: Rooms and meetings
Web page: https://www.pactto.com/help/camera-effects
All guides: https://www.pactto.com/help.md

## Blur or replace your background

Pactto can blur what is behind you or swap it for a ready-made background before your video reaches the meeting. The effect is applied in your own browser, so others receive video that is already processed and do not need to do anything.

### Pick an effect

1. Open **Device settings**: inside a room, click **Device options** (the small arrow next to the microphone button); on **Your rooms**, click **Device settings**. You can also pick an effect on a room's join screen, in the **Background** section below **Mirror camera**.
2. Under **Background**, choose one:
   - **None** for no effect.
   - **Blur** to blur everything behind you. Use the **Blur intensity** slider to adjust it. It starts at 100%, the strongest blur.
   - One of six backgrounds: **Bookshelf**, **Sage**, **Concrete**, **Pactto**, **Light blue**, or **Lavender**.
3. Check the preview. It shows the effect before anyone else sees it.
4. Click **Save**. Inside a room, others see the new background from that moment. **Cancel** keeps the effect you had.

On the join screen, your choice is saved as soon as you pick it.

### Where the effect applies

- Your choice is remembered in this browser and used in every room you join from it. On another computer or browser you start with no effect.
- When you join a room with an effect saved, others see your avatar for a moment until the effect is ready. They never see your real background first.
- Switching cameras keeps the effect.
- Camera effects are only available on a computer. The **Background** section does not appear on phones.
- You cannot upload your own background image.

### If your camera turns off

Pactto turns your camera off rather than show the background you chose to hide. You see one of these messages:

- **Camera effects aren't supported on this browser. Your camera is off.** Your browser cannot run the effect. In **Device settings**, the section reads **Camera effects aren't available on this browser.** Update your browser or try another one on a computer.
- **Camera effects couldn't start. Your camera is off.** The effect failed to load. Check your connection, then leave and rejoin the room.
- **Camera effects were slowing down your device. Your camera is off.** Your computer could not keep up. If you turn the camera back on, it shows without an effect until you leave the room. Closing other apps or tabs may help next time.

Your saved effect does not change in any of these cases. To join without an effect, choose **None** and click **Save**.

### Good to know

- Edges around hair and shoulders can look rough, especially with fast movement. A plain wall behind you and even lighting help.
- The first time you use an effect, it can take a few seconds to load.

## Related guides

- [Choose your camera, microphone, and speakers](https://www.pactto.com/help/device-settings.md): Open Device settings on Your rooms, or Device options next to the microphone button inside a room, pick your devices, and click Save.
- [Turn your camera and microphone on or off](https://www.pactto.com/help/camera-and-microphone.md): Use the camera and microphone buttons at the top right of the room, or press C for camera and M for microphone.
- [Join a meeting in a room](https://www.pactto.com/help/join-a-meeting.md): Click Join room next to the room in Your rooms (or open the room link); if you are not yet a member, set up your devices and click Request to join, then wait for the host to admit you.
- [Reduce background noise from your microphone](https://www.pactto.com/help/background-noise-reduction.md): Pactto automatically filters background noise such as typing, fans, and barking out of your microphone; there is nothing to turn on, and it cannot be turned off.