Since I started using a background in Teams my laptop runs hot
Background blur and virtual backgrounds use AI models that analyze every frame. On a laptop without an NPU (AI chip) the CPU does that; typically 40-60% CPU load.
Try this first
- 1Test a call with blur off. Laptop cooler? Then blur is the cause.
- 2For long days with many calls: skip blur. Or only enable it on external calls, not internal ones.
- 3Update Teams (app and Windows). Microsoft has improved blur performance multiple times.
- 4On laptops with a Copilot+/AI-NPU (Snapdragon X, recent Intel Lunar Lake, AMD AI 300): blur runs on the NPU and is essentially free.
When to bring us in
For clients who do many calls daily, we advise on NPU laptops at replacement. Saves heat, fan noise, and battery life noticeably.
See also
- My laptop is suddenly slowThree main suspects: a runaway background process, near-full disk, or a Windows update in progress.
- One specific application is slow for everyoneIf an app is slow for one person: local. For everyone at once: server side or vendor side.
- Opening files from the file server takes minutesOften the server itself is fine and the issue is network routing or stalling DNS resolution.
None of the above fits?
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Or skip the DIY entirely
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