What Moonlight Does and Why You'd Use It

Moonlight is free software that streams games from one PC to another device — a laptop, tablet, phone, or even a Steam Deck — over your home network or the internet. It works by connecting to an Nvidia graphics card on your host PC (the one with your games) and sending the video and audio to a client device where you play. You control the game from the remote device using a controller or keyboard.

The main reason to set it up is to play your PC games in another room without moving your computer, or to take your library with you on a handheld device. Unlike some streaming services, Moonlight does not require a subscription and does not upload your games to a server — everything stays on your network.

The setup has three parts: preparing your host PC, installing Moonlight on the device you want to play on, and pairing them together. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes if your hardware supports it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your host PC must have an Nvidia graphics card (GeForce GTX 650 or newer) with GameWorks drivers installed; AMD and Intel integrated graphics do not work with Moonlight.
  • You need to enable GameStream in Nvidia's GeForce Experience app on your host PC before Moonlight can connect to it.
  • Moonlight is installed separately on each device you want to play on — your phone, tablet, or second computer — and costs nothing.
  • The first time you connect, you pair the devices by entering a PIN, and after that Moonlight remembers the connection.
  • Streaming works best on the same WiFi network; streaming over the internet requires opening a port on your router, which carries security trade-offs.

Check Your Graphics Card and Install Drivers

Moonlight only works with Nvidia graphics cards. Open the Start menu, type Device Manager, and click it. Expand the "Display adapters" section. If you see an Nvidia card listed (such as GeForce GTX 1660, RTX 3060, or similar), you have compatible hardware. If you see AMD Radeon or Intel integrated graphics only, Moonlight will not work on that PC.

If you have an Nvidia card, visit nvidia.com/read/driverDetails.aspx and read the latest GeForce driver for your card and Windows version. Run the installer and restart your PC when prompted. This step is essential — Moonlight relies on driver features that older versions do not include.

Enable GameStream in GeForce Experience

Open the Nvidia GeForce Experience app on your host PC. If you do not have it installed, read it from nvidia.com/geforce/geforce-experience. Log in with your Nvidia account (create one if needed — it is free).

Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right. Go to the Shield tab. Toggle GameStream to the ON position. You will see a message confirming it is enabled. Close the app.

GameStream is the underlying technology that Moonlight uses to connect. Without it enabled, Moonlight cannot see or reach your PC. You only need to do this once per host PC.

read and Install Moonlight on Your Client Device

On the device you want to play games on (phone, tablet, laptop, or Steam Deck), read Moonlight from the official source for that platform. For Windows and Mac, go to moonlight-stream.org and read the installer. For Android phones and tablets, search for "Moonlight" in the Google Play Store and install the app made by Moonlight Game Streaming. For iPhone and iPad, search the App Store for "Moonlight" and install the version by Moonlight Game Streaming.

Run the installer or open the app. You do not need to log in or create an account — Moonlight is completely local and does not require registration.

Pair Your Devices for the First Time

Open Moonlight on your client device. It will search for your host PC on the network. When it finds it, you will see the PC's name appear in the app. Tap or click on it.

The app will ask you to enter a PIN. At the same time, a PIN prompt will appear on your host PC's screen (or in a notification if the PC is in another room). Read the PIN from your host PC and type it into Moonlight on your client device. This pairing confirms that both devices belong to you and encrypts the connection between them.

Once the PIN is accepted, Moonlight will remember the pairing. You will not need to enter it again unless you unpair the devices or reinstall Moonlight.

Start Streaming and Play

After pairing, Moonlight will show a list of games and apps available on your host PC. Select a game and click or tap it to start streaming. Your host PC will launch the game, and the video will appear on your client device within a few seconds.

Connect a controller to your client device (most wireless controllers work, including Xbox and PlayStation controllers). Use the controller to play. Moonlight also supports keyboard and mouse if the game allows it. To stop streaming, press the Escape key or use the Moonlight menu to disconnect.

Streaming Over the Internet (Optional and Advanced)

By default, Moonlight only works on your home WiFi network. If you want to play your games while away from home, you can set up remote streaming, but this requires opening a port on your router and carries security risks if not done carefully.

In GeForce Experience Settings under Shield, you will see a Remote Connections option. Enable it and note the port number shown (usually 47989). Log into your router's admin panel (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser) and forward that port to your host PC's local IP address. This is a technical step — if you are not comfortable with router settings, stick to local network streaming or consult your router's manual.

Remote streaming works but introduces latency and depends on your internet speed. For the best experience, use it only if your upload speed is at least 10 Mbps. Many people find local streaming sufficient and skip this step entirely.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Moonlight cannot find your PC: Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. If they are on different networks (one on 5 GHz, one on 2.4 GHz), move them to the same band. Restart your router if the problem persists.

Pairing fails or PIN does not appear: Make sure GameStream is still enabled in GeForce Experience. Restart the app and try again. If the host PC is in sleep mode, wake it first (move the mouse or press a key).

Games lag or stutter during streaming: Check your WiFi signal strength on the client device. Move closer to the router or reduce the number of other devices using the network. In Moonlight settings, lower the resolution or frame rate to reduce bandwidth use.

Controller does not work: Make sure the controller is paired to your client device first, not to the host PC. Some older controllers may not work with Moonlight — try a different one to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Nvidia account to use Moonlight?

You need an Nvidia account to log into GeForce Experience and enable GameStream on your host PC. Moonlight itself does not require an account — it uses the pairing PIN instead. The Nvidia account is free to create.

Can I stream from a PC with an AMD or Intel graphics card?

No. Moonlight is built on Nvidia's GameStream technology and only works with Nvidia graphics cards. If your PC has AMD Radeon or Intel integrated graphics, Moonlight will not connect. Other streaming software like Steam Remote Play or AMD's own tools may work as alternatives.

Is Moonlight safe to use on public WiFi?

Local network streaming (on your home WiFi) is safe. Remote streaming over the internet carries more risk because you are opening a port on your router. Only enable remote connections if you understand port forwarding and keep your router firmware updated. For public WiFi, use a VPN on your client device if you want to stream remotely.

What happens if I restart my host PC?

Moonlight will not be able to connect until the host PC is back on and GameStream is running again. The pairing will still be saved, so you will not need to re-enter the PIN. Just turn the PC back on and try connecting again.

Can multiple people stream from the same host PC at the same time?

No. Moonlight streams one session at a time. If one device is already streaming, another device cannot connect until the first one disconnects. This is a limitation of the underlying technology, not Moonlight itself.