The fastest way to cast depends on what you own

Casting your computer to a TV means sending your screen's display wirelessly to a television across the room. The method you use depends on three things: what operating system your computer runs, what TV you have, and whether you want to mirror your whole screen or just stream video from one app.

Windows computers work best with Miracast-compatible TVs or a Chromecast device. Macs work with AirPlay to Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TVs. If your TV is smart but not compatible with either standard, a cheap streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast plugged into the HDMI port solves the problem for most people. All of these methods are wireless — you do not need cables once the devices are paired.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 can cast to Miracast TVs or Chromecast devices through Settings > System > Display > Cast to a device.
  • Mac computers cast to Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TVs using the Control Center menu in the top-right corner.
  • If your TV does not support Miracast or AirPlay, plug in a Chromecast, Roku, Fire Stick, or similar device into an HDMI port instead.
  • Your computer and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for wireless casting to work.
  • Some apps like Netflix and YouTube have built-in cast buttons that work independently of screen mirroring.

Casting from Windows to a Miracast TV or Chromecast

Open Settings on your Windows computer and go to System > Display. Scroll down and click "Cast to a device." Your computer will search for compatible receivers on your Wi-Fi network. When your TV appears in the list, click it. The TV will ask you to confirm the connection — accept it, and your screen will appear on the television within a few seconds.

If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your TV's casting feature is turned on. Some TVs call this "Miracast" or "Screen Mirroring" in the settings menu. If you still do not see it, your TV may not support Miracast — in that case, use a Chromecast device instead.

To disconnect, open the Cast menu again and click "Disconnect." Your screen will return to the TV's home screen. You can also disconnect from the TV's remote by selecting the casting notification and choosing to stop.

Casting from Mac to Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TVs

On a Mac, open Control Center by clicking the icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a grid of four squares). Click "Screen Mirroring" and select your Apple TV or compatible smart TV from the list. Your Mac screen will appear on the television. Some newer Macs show AirPlay options directly in the menu bar without opening Control Center first.

Your Mac and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and try again. If your TV is not AirPlay-compatible, you will need an Apple TV device (the small box that plugs into HDMI) to use this method.

To stop casting, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select "Turn Off AirPlay." Your Mac screen will no longer display on the TV.

Using a streaming device when your TV is not compatible

If your TV does not support Miracast or AirPlay, the simplest solution is to plug a streaming device into an HDMI port. Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and similar devices all cost between $30 and $50 and work with both Windows and Mac computers. Plug the device into the TV's HDMI port, connect it to your Wi-Fi network using the remote or the device's app, and then cast to it the same way you would cast to a compatible TV.

Chromecast works with the same "Cast to a device" menu on Windows and with AirPlay on Mac. Roku and Fire Stick have their own apps on Windows and Mac that let you cast your screen, or you can use the built-in cast buttons in apps like Netflix and YouTube without mirroring your whole screen.

A streaming device is also useful if you want to cast from multiple types of computers — a single Chromecast works with Windows, Mac, and phones, so you do not have to buy different hardware for each device.

Casting video apps without mirroring your whole screen

Many apps have a built-in cast button that sends video directly to your TV without mirroring your entire screen. Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify, and most other streaming services include this feature. Look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner) in the app's player controls. Click it, select your TV or device, and the video will play on the television while your computer screen returns to normal.

This method uses less battery power than screen mirroring and lets you use your computer for other tasks while video plays on the TV. The cast button only works if your TV or streaming device is on the same Wi-Fi network and supports the app's casting standard — which nearly all modern devices do.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If your computer does not find your TV, start by checking that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Some networks separate devices into different bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) — if your computer is on one and your TV is on the other, they cannot see each other. Log into your router settings and make sure both devices are on the same band, or restart both devices to let them reconnect automatically.

If the connection keeps dropping, move your computer and TV closer together or remove obstacles between them. Wi-Fi signals weaken through walls and metal objects. Restarting both devices also fixes most temporary connection problems. If you have restarted and checked the network and casting still does not work, your TV may not support the casting standard your computer uses — try a streaming device instead.

On Windows, make sure your graphics drivers are up to date by opening Device Manager, finding your graphics card, right-clicking it, and selecting "Update driver." Outdated drivers sometimes prevent casting from working. On Mac, make sure your operating system is fully updated by going to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Casting over a wired connection if Wi-Fi is not available

If you do not have a reliable Wi-Fi network, you can connect your computer directly to your TV with an HDMI cable. This is not wireless casting, but it works when ready and does not depend on network speed. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into your computer's HDMI port (or use a USB-C to HDMI adapter if your computer does not have a full-size HDMI port) and the other end into the TV's HDMI port. Your screen will appear on the TV when ready. Use your computer's display settings to choose whether to mirror your screen or extend it across both displays.

A wired connection is also more stable for gaming or video editing, since wireless casting can introduce a slight delay. The trade-off is that you are tethered to the TV by a cable, so you cannot move your computer around the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my computer and TV every time I cast?

No. Once you connect for the first time, most TVs and streaming devices remember your computer. The next time you cast, your TV will appear in the list when ready. You may need to confirm the connection once more for security, but you do not have to set up the pairing again.

Can I cast to my TV while using headphones on my computer?

Yes. When you cast your screen, the audio plays on the TV by default, but you can change this in your computer's sound settings. Go to Settings > Sound and choose where you want audio to play — your headphones, your computer speakers, or the TV. You can switch between them at any time without stopping the cast.

What if my computer screen is too small to see on the TV?

Adjust the text and icon size on your computer before casting. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display and increase the "Scale" percentage. On Mac, go to System Settings > Displays and choose a larger scaled resolution. This makes everything larger on both your computer screen and the TV.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

Most computers can only cast to one device at a time. If you try to cast to a second TV, the first connection will stop. Some streaming devices and smart TVs support group casting (where one video plays on multiple screens), but this is a feature of the app or device, not your computer.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Screen mirroring uses very little bandwidth because your computer and TV communicate directly over Wi-Fi without sending data to the internet. Streaming video apps like Netflix use more bandwidth, but only as much as they would if you were watching on your computer. If your internet is slow, video may buffer, but screen mirroring itself will not slow down your connection.