How to Mirror Your Computer Screen to Your TV

What mirroring does and which method works for your setup

Mirroring means your TV shows exactly what your computer monitor displays in real time. Everything you do on your computer — open a browser, move files, play a video — appears on the TV at the same moment. You control it all from your computer; the TV is just a larger second display.

The method you use depends on what hardware you own. A Windows PC, Mac, or Linux machine can connect to a TV through a cable (HDMI, USB-C, or DisplayPort), through a wireless adapter plugged into your TV, or through built-in wireless features if both devices support them. Some methods are faster and more reliable; others are wireless and let you move around the room.

Before you start, check what ports your computer and TV have. Look at the back and sides of both devices. Common ports are HDMI (a flat rectangular slot), USB-C (a small oval), DisplayPort (similar to HDMI but slightly different shape), and older devices may have VGA (a trapezoid with three holes). If you are unsure, the manual or a quick search for your device model will show you.

Key Takeaways

HDMI cable is the simplest and most reliable method — plug one end into your computer and one into your TV, then select the correct input on the TV remote.
Wireless mirroring works on most modern Windows PCs and Macs but requires both devices to support the same standard (Miracast for Windows, AirPlay for Mac).
If your TV does not have built-in wireless support, a cheap wireless adapter like a Chromecast or Fire Stick can add it.
Cable connections are faster and do not drop out, while wireless is convenient but can lag or disconnect if your Wi-Fi is weak.
You may need to adjust display settings on your computer after connecting to avoid a stretched or blurry image.

Using an HDMI cable — the most straightforward route

An HDMI cable is the easiest way to mirror your screen. Buy a cable long enough to reach from your computer to your TV (they come in lengths from 3 feet to 50 feet). Both ends look the same — flat rectangles with 19 pins inside. Plug one end into the HDMI port on your computer and the other into any HDMI port on your TV.

Turn on your TV and use the remote to switch to the correct HDMI input. Most TVs have a button labeled "Input" or "Source" on the remote; press it and select the HDMI port you plugged the cable into (usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on). Your computer screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If the image looks stretched, blurry, or does not fill the screen, you may need to adjust your computer's display settings. On Windows, right-click the desktop, select "Display settings," and look for "Scale and layout" or "Resolution." On a Mac, go to System Preferences, click "Displays," and adjust the resolution. Start with the resolution marked "Recommended" and see if that fixes it.

Wireless mirroring on Windows PCs using Miracast

Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers. It lets you send your screen to a TV or wireless adapter without a cable. Your TV must have Miracast built in (many newer models do) or you must plug a Miracast adapter into the TV's HDMI port.

To mirror wirelessly on Windows, press the Windows key and the letter P at the same time. A menu appears on the right side of your screen with options including "PC screen only," "Duplicate," "Extend," and "Second screen only." Click "Duplicate" to mirror your screen. Then click "Connect to a wireless display" and select your TV from the list that appears. Your TV may ask you to confirm the connection — accept it, and mirroring starts.

Miracast works best when your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and within 20 to 30 feet of each other. If the connection drops or lags, move closer to your router or switch to a wired HDMI connection. Some older Windows 7 computers do not support Miracast; if you have one, use an HDMI cable or buy a wireless adapter instead.

Wireless mirroring on Mac using AirPlay

AirPlay is Apple's wireless mirroring standard. It works on Macs running macOS 10.11 or newer and requires an Apple TV (a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI port) or a TV with AirPlay built in. Most newer Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs support AirPlay, but older models do not.

To mirror on a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your screen (it looks like a rectangle with lines). Click "Screen Mirroring" and select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV from the list. Your Mac screen appears on the TV within a few seconds. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, click "Screen Mirroring," and select "Turn Off Mirroring."

If your TV does not support AirPlay, you can buy an Apple TV (the smallest model costs around $100) and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. This also lets you use other Apple features like streaming from your iPhone or iPad to the TV.

Using a wireless adapter if your TV does not have built-in mirroring

If your TV is older or does not support Miracast or AirPlay, a wireless adapter is a cheap way to add mirroring. Common options include Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku devices. These are small boxes or sticks that plug into your TV's HDMI port and connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Google Chromecast works with Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Plug it into your TV, connect it to Wi-Fi using the Chromecast app on your phone, then on your computer open Chrome browser, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast," and choose your Chromecast. Your screen appears on the TV. Amazon Fire Stick works similarly but is designed more for streaming apps than mirroring a full computer screen, though it can do both.

Roku devices also support screen mirroring on Windows and Mac. The setup is similar: plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, then use your computer's mirroring feature to find and connect to the Roku. These adapters usually cost between $30 and $60 and are worth it if you plan to use your TV as a second display often.

Troubleshooting common mirroring problems

If your computer does not detect your TV, first make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods) or that the cable is plugged in firmly (for HDMI). Restart both your computer and TV — this fixes most connection issues. On Windows, go to Settings, then "System," then "Display," and look for a "Connect to a wireless display" option to manually search for your TV again.

If the image is laggy or keeps dropping, wireless mirroring may be the problem. Move your computer closer to your router, or switch to an HDMI cable for a stable connection. If the image is blurry or stretched, adjust your computer's display resolution. On Windows, right-click the desktop and select "Display settings"; on Mac, go to System Preferences and click "Displays." Try the resolution marked "Recommended" first.

If your TV shows "No Signal" or "HDMI No Input," make sure you selected the correct HDMI input on the TV remote. Press the "Input" or "Source" button and cycle through the HDMI ports until you see your computer screen. If you still see nothing, try a different HDMI cable or a different HDMI port on the TV — sometimes ports fail.

When to use mirroring versus extending your display

Mirroring (also called "Duplicate" on Windows) shows the same image on both your computer monitor and your TV. This is useful when you want everyone in a room to see what you are doing, like during a presentation or when watching a video together.

Extending your display is different — it treats your TV as a second monitor, so you can drag windows between your computer screen and the TV. This is better if you want to work on your computer while also displaying something on the TV, or if you want more screen space. To extend instead of mirror on Windows, press Windows key + P and select "Extend." On Mac, open System Preferences, click "Displays," and uncheck "Mirror Displays."

For most people starting out, mirroring is simpler because it requires no setup — everything on your computer shows on the TV automatically. Once you are comfortable, you can experiment with extending if you need more screen space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an internet connection to mirror my computer to my TV?

HDMI cables do not need internet at all — they work offline. Wireless methods like Miracast and AirPlay need Wi-Fi, but they do not need access to the internet itself; your computer and TV just need to be on the same local network. If your Wi-Fi is down, use an HDMI cable instead.

Can I use a USB-C cable instead of HDMI?

Yes, if both your computer and TV have USB-C ports. USB-C can carry video signals on newer devices. Plug a USB-C cable into both devices, and your TV should detect the signal. Some computers also have DisplayPort, which works the same way. Check your device manual to confirm your USB-C or DisplayPort supports video output.

Why does my wireless mirroring keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi is the most common cause. Move your computer and TV closer to your router, or switch to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if your router supports it (it is faster than 2.4 GHz). If disconnections continue, use an HDMI cable instead — it is more reliable and does not depend on Wi-Fi strength.

Can I mirror my computer to multiple TVs at once?

HDMI cables can only connect to one TV at a time. Some wireless methods like Chromecast let you cast to multiple devices, but standard mirroring (Miracast, AirPlay) works with one TV per computer. If you need multiple displays, use extending mode and plug in additional monitors or TVs with separate cables.

What if my computer does not have an HDMI port?

Older laptops and some newer thin models use USB-C, DisplayPort, or Mini DisplayPort instead. Buy an adapter that matches your computer's port and converts it to HDMI (search for your computer model plus "HDMI adapter"). These adapters cost $10 to $30 and work just like a native HDMI port once plugged in.

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.