The fastest way to mirror your PC screen to your TV
Screen mirroring sends everything on your PC monitor to your TV in real time. The simplest method depends on what hardware you have: if your TV is made in the last five years and your PC runs Windows 10 or later, you can use built-in wireless casting without buying anything. If that doesn't work, a physical cable (HDMI or USB-C) is the most reliable backup, and it works with older TVs too.
The wireless route takes about two minutes to set up. The cable route takes 30 seconds but requires you to run a cord. Both show your entire screen, including the taskbar, open windows, and anything you type—so close private tabs and documents before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and 11 PCs can cast wirelessly to most TVs made after 2018 using the built-in Cast feature, found in the Action Center or Settings.
- An HDMI or USB-C cable is the most reliable method and works with any TV that has an HDMI port, regardless of age.
- Wireless casting works best when your PC and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and within 30 feet of each other.
- Your TV must support Miracast, AirPlay, or Chromecast for wireless mirroring; check your TV manual or settings to confirm.
- Close sensitive applications and browser tabs before mirroring, since everything on your screen will be visible on the TV.
Wireless casting using Windows built-in tools
Windows 10 and 11 include a casting feature that works with most modern TVs without installing extra software. Open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A, then look for a button labeled "Cast" or "Connect." Click it, and Windows will search for nearby devices. Your TV should appear in the list within 10 seconds.
If you don't see "Cast" in the Action Center, try the Settings route instead. Go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays, scroll down, and click "Connect to a wireless display." This opens the same search window. Select your TV from the list. Windows will ask for permission on the TV itself—look for a prompt on your TV screen and accept it. The connection usually takes 15 to 30 seconds.
Your PC screen will now appear on the TV. Move your mouse or open a new window on your PC, and it shows up on the TV when ready. To disconnect, press Windows key + A again, click "Cast," and select "Disconnect," or straightforward turn off the TV.
This method requires your TV to support Miracast, a wireless standard built into most Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL TVs made after 2018. If your TV is older or doesn't have Miracast, you'll see "No compatible devices found" and should use a cable instead.
Using an HDMI cable for a wired connection
An HDMI cable is the most straightforward method and works with any TV that has an HDMI port. Plug one end into your PC's HDMI port (usually on the back or side of a desktop, or the side of a laptop) and the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. The TV should detect the connection automatically within a few seconds.
If your PC doesn't have an HDMI port, you can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter (around $15 to $25) or a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter if your PC has DisplayPort instead. Plug the adapter into your PC, then connect the HDMI cable to the adapter.
Once connected, your TV may show your PC screen right away, or you may need to switch the TV's input. Use your TV remote to find the input or source button (usually labeled "Input," "Source," or "HDMI"), then select the HDMI port you plugged into. Your PC screen will appear on the TV. To adjust the resolution or refresh rate, right-click on your PC desktop, select "Display settings," and choose your preferred resolution from the dropdown.
HDMI cables are cheap (under $10 for a quality one) and work when ready with no setup. The downside is you're tethered to a cord, so you can't move around the room.
Connecting via USB-C if your PC and TV both support it
Some newer PCs and TVs support USB-C video output, which lets you use a single USB-C cable for both video and power. Check your PC manual to see if it has USB-C video output (not all USB-C ports support video). Check your TV manual to see if it has a USB-C input port.
If both devices support it, plug a USB-C cable into your PC's USB-C port and the TV's USB-C port. The TV should recognize the connection and display your screen. Some TVs will also charge your PC through the same cable, which is convenient if your battery is low.
USB-C video is less common than HDMI, so this option only works if you have the right hardware. If you're not sure whether your devices support it, stick with HDMI or wireless casting instead.
Troubleshooting when your TV doesn't appear
If wireless casting doesn't find your TV, first check that your PC and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your TV's network settings (usually under Settings > Network or Wi-Fi) and confirm it's connected. Then go back to your PC's Action Center and try the Cast search again.
If your TV still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your PC. Try casting again. This fixes most connection problems.
If you're still not seeing your TV, check whether it supports Miracast. Look in your TV's settings under "Miracast," "Screen Mirroring," or "Wireless Display." If you can't find it or it's turned off, turn it on. If your TV doesn't have this option at all, it doesn't support Miracast, and you'll need to use a cable instead.
For wired connections, if the TV doesn't show your PC screen after you plug in the HDMI cable, try switching the TV's input using the remote. If that doesn't work, restart your PC. If the screen appears but looks stretched or blurry, adjust the resolution in Display settings on your PC.
Adjusting display settings after you connect
Once your screen is mirrored, you may want to change how it looks. Right-click on your PC desktop and select "Display settings." You'll see options to adjust the resolution (how sharp the image is), the refresh rate (how smooth motion looks), and the orientation (portrait or landscape).
For most TVs, a resolution of 1920 × 1080 (called 1080p) or 3840 × 2160 (called 4K) works well. If the text on your TV looks too small to read, lower the resolution. If it looks blurry, raise it. You can also adjust the scaling under "Scale and layout" to make text and icons larger without changing the resolution.
If you want to use your TV as a second monitor instead of mirroring (so you can drag windows between screens), go to Display settings and select "Extend" instead of "Duplicate." This gives you more screen space but requires you to move your mouse to the TV screen to interact with windows there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my PC to a TV that doesn't have Wi-Fi?
Yes. Use an HDMI or USB-C cable instead of wireless casting. Older TVs without Wi-Fi still have HDMI ports and will work perfectly with a wired connection. Wireless casting requires the TV to have Wi-Fi and Miracast support.
Will mirroring slow down my PC or internet?
Wireless mirroring uses your Wi-Fi network but doesn't slow down your internet speed noticeably. Your PC may use slightly more CPU power while casting, but you won't notice it during normal use. Wired connections have no impact on performance.
Can I mirror just one window instead of my whole screen?
Not with built-in Windows mirroring—it always shows your entire screen. If you want to share only one window, you can use third-party software like OBS Studio or Zoom, but these require extra setup. For most uses, mirroring your whole screen is simpler.
What if my PC has no HDMI port?
Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, depending on which ports your PC has. These adapters cost $15 to $25 and plug directly into your PC. Then connect a standard HDMI cable to the adapter and your TV.
Does screen mirroring work with Mac computers?
Yes, but the process is different. Mac uses AirPlay instead of Miracast. Click the Control Center icon in the top right, select "Screen Mirroring," and choose your TV from the list. Your TV must support AirPlay, which is common on Apple TV and some newer Samsung and LG models.