How to Mirror Your Computer Screen to Your TV

The fastest way depends on what you own

Mirroring your computer to a TV means displaying everything on your monitor on the television instead — same image, same size, real-time. The method you use depends on three things: what operating system your computer runs, what TV you have, and what cables or wireless hardware are already in your home.

Windows computers can mirror via HDMI cable (fastest, most reliable), wireless display adapters like Microsoft's Wireless Display Adapter, or built-in Miracast if your TV supports it. Mac computers use AirPlay to send video to an Apple TV, or HDMI for any TV with an HDMI port. Chromebooks work with Chromecast devices or any TV with built-in Chromecast. The wired route — HDMI — works with almost everything and has no lag. Wireless routes are convenient but sometimes stall or drop connection.

Key Takeaways

An HDMI cable is the most reliable method for any computer and TV combination, costs under $15, and has zero lag or connection drops.
Windows 10 and 11 can cast wirelessly to a TV using the built-in "Cast to Device" feature if your TV supports Miracast, though setup takes a few extra steps.
Mac computers require an Apple TV box to use AirPlay, or an HDMI cable to connect directly to any TV.
Chromebooks work with any Chromecast device or TV with built-in Chromecast, and the pairing process takes under a minute.
Wireless methods work best when your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and within 30 feet of each other.

Windows: HDMI cable (the reliable choice)

Plug an HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back or side of your computer and into any HDMI port on your TV. Turn on the TV and switch to the correct HDMI input using the TV remote — usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3. Your desktop will appear on the screen when ready.

If the image does not appear, right-click on your desktop, select "Display settings," and scroll down to "Multiple displays." Choose "Extend" to use both screens, or "Duplicate" to mirror. Windows will detect the TV automatically in most cases. If it does not, click "Detect" at the top of the Display settings window.

HDMI cables are cheap — $10 to $20 for a quality one — and this method has no lag, no pairing delays, and no Wi-Fi dependency. It is the best choice if your computer and TV are in the same room and you plan to mirror regularly.

Windows: Wireless casting without extra hardware

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in wireless casting feature called Miracast. Your TV must support Miracast — check your TV manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm. If it does, open the Windows Settings app, go to "System," then "Display," and scroll down to "Multiple displays." Click "Connect to a wireless display."

Windows will search for nearby Miracast devices. When your TV appears in the list, click it. The TV will ask you to confirm the connection. Once confirmed, your screen will mirror wirelessly. The first connection takes 30 to 60 seconds; future connections are faster.

Wireless casting works best when your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and within 30 feet of each other. If the connection drops or lags, move closer to your router or switch to HDMI. Not all TVs support Miracast — if yours does not, you will need a wireless adapter (see below).

Windows: Wireless display adapters

If your TV does not have Miracast built in, a wireless display adapter plugs into an HDMI port and adds the feature. Microsoft's Wireless Display Adapter costs around $50 and works with any Windows computer. Plug it into the TV's HDMI port, power it on, and follow the pairing instructions on your computer's "Connect to a wireless display" menu.

Other brands like Actiontec and j5create make similar adapters for $30 to $60. They all work the same way: plug into HDMI, pair once, then cast wirelessly from your computer. The advantage is flexibility — you can move your computer around the room without unplugging cables. The disadvantage is the upfront cost and the extra device to manage.

Mac: AirPlay to Apple TV

If you own an Apple TV box, mirroring is built in. Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your Mac, select "Screen Mirroring," and choose your Apple TV from the list. Your Mac screen will appear on the TV within seconds. Click "Stop Mirroring" in Control Center to disconnect.

Your Mac and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The first connection may take 10 to 15 seconds; future connections are when ready. AirPlay is seamless and reliable, but it requires an Apple TV box, which costs $99 or more.

If you do not have an Apple TV, use an HDMI cable instead. Plug the cable into the HDMI port on your TV and the Thunderbolt or USB-C port on your Mac (you may need a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which costs $15 to $30). Your screen will mirror when ready with no setup required.

Chromebook: Casting to Chromecast or built-in devices

Chromebooks are designed to cast to Chromecast devices and TVs with built-in Chromecast. Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen, then click the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines). A menu will appear showing nearby Chromecast devices. Click the one you want to use.

Your Chromebook screen will appear on the TV in seconds. To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting." Casting works over Wi-Fi and requires both devices on the same network. If you do not see your TV in the cast menu, make sure it is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.

If your TV does not have built-in Chromecast, buy a Chromecast device (Google Chromecast costs $30 to $40) and plug it into an HDMI port. It will appear in the cast menu when ready after setup.

Troubleshooting common problems

No image appears on the TV. First, check that you are on the correct HDMI input. Use your TV remote to cycle through HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and HDMI 3 until the image appears. If you are using HDMI, unplug the cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If you are using wireless casting, restart both your computer and TV, then try again.

The image is blurry or stretched. Right-click on your desktop (Windows) or open System Preferences (Mac), go to Display settings, and look for a "Resolution" or "Scaling" option. Try a lower resolution — 1920 x 1080 is standard for most TVs. If the image is stretched, look for an "Aspect ratio" setting and choose "16:9" or "Fit to screen."

Wireless casting keeps dropping. Move your computer closer to your router or TV. Wireless casting uses Wi-Fi and is sensitive to distance and interference. If the problem persists, switch to HDMI. Wired connections never drop.

Audio is not coming through the TV speakers. Right-click the volume icon in your system tray (Windows) or click the volume icon in the menu bar (Mac). Look for an audio output option and select your TV. If your TV does not appear, check that the HDMI cable is fully plugged in — HDMI carries both video and audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my computer while the screen is mirrored to the TV?

Yes. Everything you do on your computer appears on the TV in real-time. If you want to use your computer privately while the TV shows something else, use "Extend" mode instead of "Duplicate" mode in your display settings. This treats the TV as a second monitor rather than a mirror.

What if my TV does not have HDMI ports?

Older TVs use VGA, DVI, or composite cables instead. You can buy adapters that convert HDMI to these formats for $15 to $30, but the image quality will be lower. If your TV is very old, wireless casting is not an option — you will need a wired adapter. Check your TV manual to see what ports it has.

Does mirroring use a lot of internet bandwidth?

HDMI uses no internet at all — it is a direct cable connection. Wireless casting uses your Wi-Fi network but does not consume internet bandwidth from your provider. It only uses local network traffic between your computer and TV. You can mirror even if your internet is slow or down.

Can I mirror to multiple TVs at the same time?

HDMI can only connect to one TV at a time. Wireless casting varies by device — some Chromecast setups allow one computer to cast to multiple TVs, but each TV receives the same image. If you need different content on different screens, you will need multiple computers or a more complex setup.

Is there lag when I play games or watch videos?

HDMI has no lag — the image is transmitted when ready. Wireless casting can have a delay of 100 to 300 milliseconds, which is noticeable during fast-paced games but not during video playback or web browsing. If lag is a problem, use HDMI instead.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.