Yes, you can use a PC monitor as a TV — here's what you need

A PC monitor can work as a TV screen if your monitor has the right input ports and your video source connects to them. Most modern monitors have HDMI ports, which accept signals from cable boxes, streaming devices, gaming consoles, and satellite receivers. Older monitors may only have VGA or DVI ports, which limits what you can plug in. The monitor itself won't receive broadcast or cable TV signals — you need a separate device (a cable box, antenna, streaming device, or console) to send the picture to the monitor.

The main limitation is that monitors lack built-in TV tuners and speakers. You'll need to buy or use a separate device to get the TV signal, and you may need external speakers or headphones to hear the audio, depending on your monitor's speaker quality and your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Your monitor needs an HDMI port (or DisplayPort, USB-C, or older VGA/DVI) to receive a video signal from a TV source like a cable box or streaming device.
  • Monitors don't have built-in TV tuners, so you must connect a separate device — a cable box, antenna box, streaming stick, or console — to send the picture to the screen.
  • Audio from a monitor's built-in speakers is often weak; you may want external speakers, a soundbar, or headphones for better sound.
  • HDMI is the easiest and most common connection method for modern monitors and TV devices.

Check your monitor's input ports

Open the back or side of your monitor and look for the ports. HDMI is the most common and easiest to use — it's a flat, rectangular port about the size of a USB connector. If your monitor has HDMI, you can connect almost any modern TV device. DisplayPort and USB-C are newer alternatives that also carry video and audio, though fewer TV devices use them yet.

Older monitors may have VGA (a port with three rows of small holes) or DVI (a flat port with multiple pins). These work with older cable boxes and some devices, but they don't carry audio — you'll need separate speakers or headphones. If your monitor has only VGA or DVI and no HDMI, you can buy an adapter (HDMI to VGA or HDMI to DVI), but adapters add cost and sometimes reduce picture quality.

Check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure which ports you have. The port layout is usually printed on the back panel or listed in the specifications.

Choose and connect your TV source device

You need a separate device to send the TV picture to your monitor. Your options depend on what you want to watch:

  • Cable or satellite box: If you subscribe to cable or satellite TV, your provider's box has HDMI output. Plug an HDMI cable from the box's HDMI port to your monitor's HDMI port.
  • Antenna and tuner box: If you want free over-the-air TV, buy a digital TV tuner box (sometimes called an antenna receiver). Plug the antenna into the tuner box, then connect the box to your monitor with HDMI.
  • Streaming device: Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and similar devices plug into HDMI and let you stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and other services. These are often cheaper than cable and give you full control over what you watch.
  • Gaming console: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch all output to HDMI and work with any monitor that has an HDMI port.
  • Laptop or desktop PC: If you want to display your computer's screen on the monitor (which you probably already do), use the same HDMI cable or DisplayPort cable you use now.

Run the HDMI cable from your device's HDMI output port to your monitor's HDMI input port. Make sure both devices are powered on. Use your monitor's input selector (usually a button on the front or side) to switch to the HDMI input. The picture should appear on the screen.

Set up audio and speakers

Most monitors have small built-in speakers, but they're often tinny and quiet. If the audio from your monitor's speakers is acceptable, you're done — the HDMI cable carries both video and sound. If you want better sound, you have two choices: external speakers or a soundbar.

External speakers: Buy powered speakers (speakers with a built-in amplifier and power cord) that connect via 3.5mm audio jack, USB, or Bluetooth. Plug the audio cable from your TV device into the speakers, or use the monitor's audio output jack if it has one. Some TV devices have a headphone jack; you can plug speakers or headphones directly into that instead.

Soundbar: A soundbar is a single speaker unit that sits below or above the monitor. Most soundbars connect via HDMI (which also carries audio) or optical audio cable. If your TV device has an optical audio output, you can run that cable to the soundbar. Some soundbars also accept Bluetooth audio from your device.

Headphones: If you live alone or want private listening, plug headphones into the headphone jack on your TV device, monitor, or external speakers. This bypasses the monitor's speakers entirely.

Adjust picture settings for TV viewing

PC monitors are designed for computer work, so the default picture settings may look too bright or washed out for TV. Spend a few minutes tweaking the monitor's settings to improve the picture. Use the monitor's on-screen menu (usually accessed by pressing a button on the front) to adjust brightness, contrast, and color. Lower the brightness slightly and increase the contrast a little — this usually makes TV and movies look more natural.

Some monitors have a preset picture mode for video or cinema. If yours does, try switching to that mode — it often improves the look of TV and movies without manual adjustment. If the picture still looks off, check whether your TV device has its own picture settings. Cable boxes, streaming devices, and consoles often let you adjust color, brightness, and aspect ratio in their menus.

Sit back and watch for a few minutes. If the picture looks good, you're done. If it still seems off, return to the monitor's menu and make small adjustments until you're satisfied.

Solve common problems

No picture appears: Make sure both the monitor and your TV device are powered on. Check that the HDMI cable is fully plugged in at both ends. Use your monitor's input selector button to switch to the HDMI input — the monitor may be set to display your PC instead. If you still see nothing, try a different HDMI cable; the first one may be faulty.

Picture is there but no sound: Check that the volume on your monitor is turned up (use the monitor's menu or buttons). If the monitor has no volume control, the audio may not be connected properly — verify that the audio cable from your TV device is plugged in, or check whether your device has a separate audio output you need to use. Some devices require you to enable HDMI audio in their settings menu.

Picture is stretched or has black bars: This is usually an aspect ratio mismatch. Check your TV device's settings for an option like "aspect ratio" or "screen fit" and try different options until the picture fills the screen properly. Some monitors also have aspect ratio settings in their menu.

Monitor goes to sleep during use: Your PC's power settings may be putting the monitor to sleep. If you're using the monitor for TV only, disable the sleep timer in your computer's power settings, or straightforward move the mouse or press a key occasionally to keep the monitor awake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special monitor to use it as a TV?

No. Any monitor with HDMI (or DisplayPort, USB-C, or older VGA/DVI ports) can work as a TV screen. You don't need a monitor marketed as a "TV monitor" — a regular computer monitor works fine as long as it has the right input port for your TV device.

Can I watch cable TV on a monitor without a cable box?

No. Monitors don't have built-in TV tuners, so they can't receive cable or broadcast signals on their own. You need a cable box from your provider, or a separate digital tuner box if you want to watch free over-the-air TV with an antenna.

What if my monitor only has VGA or DVI ports?

You can buy an HDMI-to-VGA or HDMI-to-DVI adapter to connect modern TV devices to an older monitor. These adapters cost $10 to $30 and are available online or at electronics stores. Keep in mind that VGA and DVI don't carry audio, so you'll need separate speakers or headphones.

Is it cheaper to use a monitor as a TV than to buy a TV?

It depends. If you already own a monitor, using it as a TV costs only the price of a TV source device (a streaming stick, cable box, or tuner box). If you need to buy both a monitor and a TV device, a dedicated TV is often cheaper and includes built-in speakers and a tuner. However, if you use your monitor for computer work during the day and TV at night, a monitor can serve double duty and save space.

Can I use my monitor as a TV while still using it for my computer?

Yes. Switch between inputs using your monitor's input selector button. When you want to use your computer, select the input your PC uses (usually DisplayPort or HDMI). When you want to watch TV, select the input your TV device uses. You can also use both at the same time if your monitor has multiple HDMI ports — plug your PC into one and your TV device into another, then switch between them as needed.