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Which browsers / devices support Virtual Background?
Which browsers / devices support Virtual Background?

Debug why your Virtual Background may be disabled on your machine

Imran Ahmed avatar
Written by Imran Ahmed
Updated over 4 months ago

Virtual Background is a handy feature in Pencil Spaces to remove background distractions in your video calls. However, to ensure you have a smooth experience on Pencil Spaces, there are some important limitations, which are detailed below.

Supported Browsers

You can use Virtual Background in Pencil Spaces with the following browsers:

  • Google Chrome

  • Microsoft Edge

If you aren't using an approved browser, Virtual Background will be disabled, and you will see a prompt to switch your browser.

Supported / Recommended Devices

Provided you are using a supported browser, Virtual Background is available on all desktops. We recommend using a device with a GPU or discrete graphics card for optimal performance.

Visit webglreport.com to check if your browser supports WebGL. Verify that “Major Performance Caveat” is marked as “No.”

If your device experiences instability or crashes, your browser may automatically disable WebGL. Unfortunately, you cannot force WebGL to operate on unstable devices. However, in some cases, updating your graphics card drivers or restarting your browser may help. Learn more about WebGL support for further information, or refer to additional resources here.

Unfortunately, Virtual Background is not available on smartphones, iPads, or tablets as it needs a powerful device to run smoothly.

Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Virtual Background can be demanding on your computer's resources. If you notice your computer slowing down while using it (e.g., you notice the "Your device is struggling" indication), we recommend you turn it off.

To turn off Virtual Background:

  • Click the '...' in the join call modal or in the video toolbar during your call

  • Select "None" to disable Virtual Background. After selecting "None" you should notice that the preview no longer has Virtual Background enabled

  • Click "Done" and you're all set!

By doing this, you can ensure that Pencil Spaces runs smoothly.


We're excited for you to give Virtual Background a try! If you experience performance issues, simply turn off Virtual Background in your settings to keep things running smoothly during your calls.

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