Key Takeaways

  • To change your lock screen background, right-click on the Ubuntu desktop and select the “Change Background” option. After that, select any image to apply as your lock screen background. You can also add a custom image using the “Add Picture” option.
  • To remove the blur effect from the lock screen background, install GNOME Extension Manager. Next, install the “Control Blur Effect on Lock Screen” extension. This extension will let you customize and adjust the blur effect of the Ubuntu lock screen background.


Customizing your lock screen background not only adds a unique and appealing touch to your system, but is also a way to showcase your identity, interests, and goals. You can display any image on your Ubuntu lock screen that makes you happy, curious, or excited.


How to Change the Ubuntu Lock Screen Background

Changing Ubuntu’s lock screen background is done the same way as on any other operating system, like Windows. Simply right-click on your desktop and click the “Change Background” option.

A context menu displaying different settings

Next, head over to the “Background” section, which shows you a gallery of images. Then, click on any image you would like to apply as the lock screen background.

A Gallery of preinstalled available images on Ubuntu desktop settings

After that, close the tab and lock your screen. Your desktop and lock screen background will change to your chosen image.

Ubuntu Lock screen with blur effect

After setting the new lock screen image, you will notice that the lock screen image has a default blur effect. We’ll show you how to remove this blur later in this tutorial.

Setting a Custom Lock Screen Wallpaper on Ubuntu

Want to personalize your Ubuntu lock screen background with a unique image? No problem! Just go beyond the available options and add your custom image. To do that, click on the “Add Picture” option.

Ubuntu desktop background images gallery

Navigate to the folder where you downloaded or saved your image. Then, select the image and hit the “Open” option in the top right corner.

A window for selecting a custom image to set it as a background

After uploading your image, you will see it on top of the default available images. Select the new image to set it as the lock screen background.

A custom image added to the desktop background gallery

Your lock screen is now updated with a custom background, albeit still behind a layer of blur.

Ubuntu lock screen with the new custom image applied

How to Remove the Lock Screen Blur Effect on Ubuntu

To remove the blur effect from the lock screen background image, first, you need to install GNOME Extension Manager. After that, add a lock screen blur control extension to your system.

Ubuntu usually adds a blur effect to the lock screen background. This makes it look more aesthetic and hides the details of the image. But if you want, you can remove this blur effect and choose a clear and sharp image for your lock screen.

Simply, open the terminal and run:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions gnome-shell-extension-manager

Terminal with installation command of GNOME extension manager

After installing GNOME Extension Manager, open it and search for the “Lock Screen Background” extension. Then, click on the “Install” button to add a lock screen blur control extension.

Searching for the Lock Screen blur effect extension on the GNOME extension manager

Once the extension is installed, navigate to the “Installed” tab. Find and enable the “Control Blur Effect on Lock Screen” extension. Then, click on the gear icon to customize this extension.

All installed extensions with Lock screen blur effect extension on top

From there, you can move the sliders to change the settings, such as sigma or brightness. Adjust them as required.

Lock screen blur remove extension settings

Lock your screen and see the changes that are applied to your lock screen background. It is now clear and without any blur effect.

Lock screen with blur effect removed

Optimize Your Ubuntu Environment

To make your Ubuntu experience more comfortable and enjoyable, you can customize it according to your taste. There are many ways to personalize your Ubuntu PC. You can switch up your desktop environment, add screensavers, and customize the theme and icons of your system. Personalizing Ubuntu can help you work better and have more fun.

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