Students and those who require a laptop for light work choose to use a Chromebook for simple tasks like streaming videos or using Zoom for video calling since they are less expensive than laptops or whole PCs.
On Chromebooks, Zoom calls are popular although the app can be lacking some functionality the ability to change the wallpaper.
Some other functionalities from the apps have been deleted to keep the system light on Chromebooks because they have less powerful hardware.
Zoom for Chromebook lacks the processing power necessary for virtual backdrops but you can still change the Zoom background on your Chromebook even though you don’t have the default selection.
Keep on reading this article to know how to change Zoom background on Chromebook for students.
Zoom Chromebook Background Overview
While Chromebooks offer unique selling points and fantastic functionality, they also have several features that limit their usefulness in some situations.
When compared to Windows and other similar devices, Chromebooks fall short because it uses Google’s ChromeOS.
Other platforms, like Chrome OS and Microsoft Windows, are very light and demand fewer computing resources.
Because of this characteristic, Chromebooks find it difficult to execute apps with more processing power.
Even though Zoom is compatible with Chrome OS and can be used, there are occasionally some capabilities that are missing from the program.
The Zoom Chromebook’s lack of opportunity for students to change their backdrop is one of its bad points.
The requirements needed before you can change Zoom background on Chromebook for students are listed below:
- GIF, JPG/JPEG, or 24-bit PNG format (no alpha).
- 960px is the bare minimum.
- 1920px is the maximum size.
- Recommended dimensions: 1920px by 1080px (16:9 aspect ratio). If you don’t use a picture with a 16:9 aspect ratio, you will see black bars next to the background image.
- The maximum file size is 5 MB
Why Is My Zoom Virtual Background Not Working?
There may be another issue going on or you may have been a little overstimulated if your zoom virtual background isn’t working.
Checking for updates to your Zoom client on your desktop or mobile device is the first step to ensuring it starts working.
You may need to visit the Play Store or the App Store, depending on your mobile OS, and check for updates if the problem is with your mobile app.
Students should follow the instructions listed above to modify the Zoom background on a Chromebook if the problem is not with their phone.
Why Does My Laptop Not Support Virtual Background?
If you are unable to use a custom image or movie as your virtual background, Zoom is probably not compatible with the file type or laptop you are using.
You should also be aware that Zoom does not support videos with these descriptions:
- A minimum resolution of 480 by 360 pixels (360p)
- A maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels
- The file format MP4 or MOV (1080p)
Why Can’t I Use Virtual Backgrounds On Zoom On Chromebook?
The disadvantage of Chromebooks is that they have lower specifications than standard PCs and this implies a trade-off in terms of processing power.
While Zoom demands quite a lot of computing power; not simply to run but specifically to employ virtual backgrounds.
In general, Zoom takes a lot of computing power by design, whereas Chromebook is known for being portable and speedy.
You cannot alter the zoom background on a Chromebook due to this distinct difference between the two.
The virtual background feature was eliminated by Zoom developers because Chromebooks come equipped with less powerful CPUs.
Since Chromebooks have fewer CPUs, Zoom has disabled the virtual background capability altogether, so this is the reason why Zoom on a Chromebook does not support virtual backgrounds.
Is There An Alternative To Use Zoom Virtual Backgrounds On Chromebook?
While officially Zoom does not have the function on Chromebook, there is an alternative that you can apply to get virtual backgrounds on a Zoom meeting.
Using this strategy requires you to run Google Meet simultaneously alongside Zoom on a Chromebook.
Requirements Before You Change Zoom Background On Chromebook For Students
Using Google Meet while changing the zoom background on a Chromebook is possible, but you can only do this if you meet the necessary conditions.
The requirements for using virtual backdrops in a Zoom conference on Chromebooks are shown below.
- Make sure your internet connection is active.
- On your Chromebook, the Zoom app must be installed.
- Additionally, a Google Meet ID is required.
- The Google Meet addon requires Visual Effects, which is your final requirement.
Now that you have fulfilled all the requirements, you can move on to the instructions on how to change Zoom Background on Chromebook for students.
- Open the link in the Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
- You’ll be directed to the Chrome Web Store page for the Visual Effects for the Google Meet extension.
- To add the extension to your browser, click the Add to Chrome button here.
How To Upload A Default All Zoom Background Image
- Log in to the Zoom online portal as the account owner or administrator.
- In the navigation menu, click Room Management then Zoom Rooms.
- Select the Account Settings option.
- Select the Account Profile option.
- Locate the Background image for the Zoom Rooms setting under Setup.
- Click Upload Image but you have to verify your image matches the guidelines.
- Select your image and click Open.
- You will see a preview of the image below the setting.
- (Optional) If you want to lock the default image for all Zoom Rooms in your account, click the lock icon, then click Lock to confirm the setting.
- In the future, if you want to change the image, click Upload New Image underneath the current default backdrop.
- Click Delete to remove the image as the default background for all Zoom Rooms in your account.
How To Change A Certain Background Image On Zoom
You can upload a custom background image for a specific room, floor, or location if the default image is not protected at the account level, by following the steps below:
- Log in to the Zoom online portal as the account owner or administrator.
- Click Room Management, then Zoom Rooms in the navigation menu.
- Locate the room, floor, or place you wish to apply the backdrop to using the tabs and Search tool, then click Edit to the right of it.
- If you don’t see the Edit button, try resizing the current window or using the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the panel.
- Select the Rooms Profile option.
- Locate the Background image for the Zoom Rooms setting under Setup.
- If there’s a default picture being used at the account level, you will receive a preview of that image along with the “Using account setting” warning on the right.
- Click the Upload New Image button.
- Please ensure that your image adheres to our rules.
- Select your image and click Open.
- A preview of the new custom image for that specific room or place will appear.
- To remove your submitted image, click Reset. If an account-level default image is uploaded, it will be used.
- If there’s a default image uploaded at the account level, it will replace your uploaded image.
Steps To Change Zoom Background On Chromebook For Students
Below are the steps on how you can get virtual background on your Zoom meeting while using a Chromebook.
Step 1: Download Visual Effects For Google Meet
Visual Effects for Google Meet is a Google Chrome plugin that enables you to apply effects to your Google Meet video conversation.
Google Meet does not allow you to use virtual backgrounds but Visual Effects for Google Meet allows you to apply any form of effect.
Follow these steps:
- Locate ‘Visual Effects for Google Meet’ in the Google Chrome Webstore.
- Hit ‘Add to Chrome’ to download and install the extension on your browser.
- Installing the extension on your browser is now complete.
- You’re done now!
Step 2: Create A Meeting On Google Meet
You must now use Google Meet to set up a new meeting and only you can be on the call.
Follow the steps below:
- Go to New Meeting
- Start an instant meeting on the Google Meet website to begin a new meeting.
- On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a new white panel.
- To see the panel’s contents, mouse over it.
- Then click Upload Background next to Green Screen after scrolling down.
- Now that you have found the background you want to use, you can set it.
- To activate the green screen after choosing your background, click the Green Screen option.
- You will notice a tick inside the box, indicating that this new background has been activated.
- Your new background is now configured for Google Meet.
Step 3: Show Zoom Windows During Screen Share
The Virtual background you updated on Google Meet does not automatically change the Zoom on Chromebook.
So the next step is to give Zoom permission to display its window when you share your screen.
Before this change, screen sharing would not allow you to share your Zoom window, so the Zoom website must be used to enable this option.
Follow the steps below:
- Enter your login information on the Zoom website.
- In the top right corner, click My Account.
- Go to “In Meeting (Basic)” after selecting Settings from the left side panel.
- Click on the setting, and scroll down to Show Zoom windows during a screen share.
- Additionally, you must enable the ‘Screen sharing’ feature directly beneath it.
Step 4: Start A Zoom Meeting
You can now start or join a Zoom meeting in this last step. The Google Meet tab must be open and the video must be playing in the background.
Follow the steps below:
- Open the Zoom application
- Use your credentials to log in.
- Join an existing meeting or start a new one right away.
- Once you’ve done that, click “Share Screen” in the bottom panel to share your screen. This will open a window with a list of all the programs and tabs that are open on your computer right now.
- Select the Google Meet tab, then select “Share.”
- Zoom will then utilize the stream from your Google Meet by doing this.
- When you do this, Zoom will utilize the feed from the Google Meet video that includes the chosen virtual backdrop.
Conclusion
Although Chromebooks are lightweight, they have a few undesirable features that reduce their effectiveness because of some programs used.
The drawback of Chromebooks is that they come with significantly lesser specifications than standard PCs.
One of the apps impacted by the Chromebook’s reduced processing power is Zoom and users with Zoom Chromebooks are unable to alter their backgrounds for a variety of reasons.
But you can follow the steps in this article to change Zoom background on Chromebook for students.
FAQ
How do I blur my background in Zoom on Chrome?
- In the bottom-left corner of the video window, click the up arrow button next to the Start Video / Stop Video button.
- Click Blur My Background.
How do I change my Zoom background without joining a meeting?
- Open the Zoom app on your computer.
- Tap the settings icon on the top right.
- Choose Virtual Background on the left menu.
- Tap the ‘+’ button.
- Select the picture on your computer you want to use.
Can you force a background on Zoom?
- In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
- In the Meeting tab, navigate to the Virtual Background option (under the In Meeting (Advanced) section) and verify that the setting is enabled.
- Note: If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it.
Why doesn’t my Zoom have the blur background option?
Your computer processor does not meet the system requirements due to it being from a generation that is not supported.
How do I download Zoom backgrounds?
- Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
- Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
- Select Backgrounds & Filters.
- Select the desired virtual background.
- (Optional) Add your image or a video to upload.
- If prompted, click Download to download the package for the virtual background without a green screen.
Why is there no virtual background option in Zoom on my IPAD?
- Go to Zoom.
- Sign in to your account.
- Go to Settings on the left.
- Under In Meeting (Advanced) turn Virtual Background on.
Can I join a zoom meeting without showing myself?
Hover over your video and click the ellipses button in your video to display the menu, then choose Hide Self View.
Which Zoom version has blur background?
Android mobile app: Version 5.6. 6 (2076) or higher. iOS mobile app: Version 5.6. 6 (423) or higher.
How do you blur the background in Zoom 2022?
- Open the updated Zoom, and choose the “Settings” button which is located under the User Name.
- Choose the “Background & Filters” button from the left side of the toolbar.
- See options in the right interface and you can click the second feature named Blur.
What is a green screen for Zoom?
Green screen is a single-color physical background, which enables your webcam and the video conferencing software to work properly when you replace your physical background with an image or video of your choice.