Account owners and admins can enable an account or group level setting to require users to have a Virtual Background when their video is on. If the user’s system doesn’t support Virtual Background, their video will be turned off.

This article covers:

• Limitations for requiring Virtual Background usage
• How to require users to always use virtual background
  • Account setting
  • Group setting

Prerequisites for using Virtual Background

• Users' computers need to meet the system requirements for Virtual Background
• Users require the Zoom desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux, 5.6.6 or higher
  Note: Users with client version below 5.6.6 will not be able to start their video

Limitations for requiring Virtual Background usage

• Users with the Zoom client version below the 5.6.6 minimum will not be able to start their video if this is enforced. 
• Users with Zoom client 5.10.6 or higher will only be able to use virtual background without a green screen. Those who can only use virtual background with a green screen or do not meet virtual background requirements at all will have their video off. 

How to require users to always use virtual background

Account

To require all users in the account to use Virtual Background:

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an administrator with permission to edit account settings.
2. In the navigation menu, click Account Management then Account Settings.
3. 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. If a verification dialog displays, choose Enable to verify the change.
4. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in your account, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
5. Check Require users to always use virtual background then Save to confirm the change.

Group

To require Virtual Background for all members of a specific group:

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal as an administrator with permission to edit user groups.
2. In the navigation menu, click User Management then Groups.
3. Click the name of the group, then click the Meeting tab to access settings.
4. In the Meeting tab, navigate to the Virtual Background option and verify that the setting is enabled.
   Notes:
   • If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, choose Enable to verify the change.
   • If the setting is grayed out, it has been locked at the Account level, and needs to be changed at that level.
5. (Optional) If you want to make this setting mandatory for all users in this group, click the lock icon , and then click Lock to confirm the setting.
6. Check Require users to always use virtual background then Save to confirm the change.