Official Support Guide: Setting Up Virtual Backgrounds
Why rely on third-party virtual backgrounds?
Hehllo is engineered as a frictionless, 100% browser-native workspace. To ensure we can support 100 participants with native file sharing and infinite whiteboarding without requiring massive system resources or application downloads, we keep our browser footprint as light as possible. Processing virtual backgrounds natively consumes heavy CPU/GPU power, which can degrade meeting performance.
Instead, we recommend using a free, professional tool like OBS Studio to handle your camera effects securely and seamlessly.
Hehllo is engineered as a frictionless, 100% browser-native workspace. To ensure we can support 100 participants with native file sharing and infinite whiteboarding without requiring massive system resources or application downloads, we keep our browser footprint as light as possible. Processing virtual backgrounds natively consumes heavy CPU/GPU power, which can degrade meeting performance.
Instead, we recommend using a free, professional tool like OBS Studio to handle your camera effects securely and seamlessly.
Phase 1: Installation & Setup
Step 1: Install OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free, professional broadcasting tool that includes a built-in "Virtual Camera" feature.
- Go to obsproject.com and download the latest version for your operating system.
- Run the installer and complete the standard setup process.
Step 2: Install the AI Background Removal Plugin
Since you likely don't have a green screen, we will install a free AI plugin to remove your background.
- Visit the official GitHub repository for the OBS Background Removal plugin: royshil.github.io/obs-backgroundremoval/.
- Download the Windows ZIP file from the "Download Latest" section.
- Extract the ZIP file. You will see a folder named obs-backgroundremoval.
- Press Win + R, type C:/ProgramData, and press Enter.
- Locate the obs-studio folder, and then open the plugins folder inside it. (If they do not exist, create them).
- Copy the entire extracted obs-backgroundremoval folder into this plugins directory. Do not install this in Program Files.
Phase 2: Configuring Your Camera in OBS
Step 3: Build Your Virtual Background
- Open (or restart) OBS Studio.
- In the Sources dock (bottom center), click the + icon and select Video Capture Device. Choose your physical webcam and click OK.
- Right-click your Video Capture Device in the Sources list and select Filters.
- Under Effect Filters, click the + icon and select Background Removal. Close the filters window—your background will now disappear.
- Click the + icon in the Sources dock again and select Image. Browse and select your desired virtual background picture.
- Crucial Step: In the Sources list, drag your Image layer so it sits below your Video Capture Device.
Phase 3: Connecting to Hehllo
Step 4: Activate and Connect
- In the bottom right corner of OBS Studio (under the Controls dock), click Start Virtual Camera.
- Leave OBS running in the background.
- Open your web browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) and navigate to your Hehllo meeting.
- When joining, ensure your camera selection dropdown is set to OBS Virtual Camera instead of your physical webcam.
Troubleshooting: "Permission Denied" or Camera Blocked Error
If Hehllo says your camera is unavailable or permission is denied, it is because your browser is trying to grab your physical webcam while OBS is already using it. To fix this:
- Go to your browser settings (e.g., in Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Camera).
- Change the default camera dropdown from your physical webcam to OBS Virtual Camera.
- Go back to your Hehllo tab and refresh the page (Ctrl + F5).
- When prompted, allow camera access. The browser will now pull the virtual feed successfully!