How to Share Your Computer Screen on Your TV

The fastest way to get your computer on the TV

The easiest method depends on what devices you own. If your TV has HDMI ports (the flat rectangular connectors on the back or side), plug in an HDMI cable from your computer to the TV—this works when ready with no setup. If you want to avoid cables, use wireless casting, which sends your screen through WiFi instead. Most newer TVs, laptops, and tablets support wireless casting, though the exact steps vary by brand.

Wired HDMI is the most reliable option if you have the cable. Wireless casting is better if your TV and computer are far apart or you move between rooms often. Both methods show everything on your computer screen on the TV—your desktop, browser, videos, documents, all of it.

Key Takeaways

An HDMI cable is the fastest and most stable way to connect a computer to a TV; plug it in and your screen appears on the TV within seconds.
Wireless casting (Miracast, AirPlay, or Chromecast) works without cables but requires your TV and computer to be on the same WiFi network.
Windows computers use the "Project" menu or Settings to cast wirelessly; Mac computers use AirPlay if your TV supports it.
After you connect, you may need to adjust your TV input or change your computer's display settings so the TV becomes your main screen.
If nothing appears on the TV, check that both devices are powered on, the cable is fully plugged in, or the WiFi network is the same on both devices.

Connecting with an HDMI cable

This is the most straightforward method. Look at the back or side of your TV for an HDMI port—it is a flat rectangular slot about the size of a USB connector. Most TVs have multiple HDMI ports labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on. On your computer, find the HDMI output port (laptops usually have one on the side; desktop computers may need an adapter if they only have DisplayPort or USB-C).

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into your computer and the other end into any HDMI port on the TV. Turn on the TV and use the remote to switch to that HDMI input—you will see a menu option like "Input," "Source," or "HDMI" on the remote. Select the port number where you plugged in the cable. Your computer screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds. If it does not, restart your computer or try a different HDMI port on the TV.

Once the connection works, you can adjust how the screen displays. On Windows, right-click your desktop and select "Display settings." On Mac, go to System Preferences and choose "Displays." From here you can choose to mirror your screen (show the same thing on both monitors) or extend it (use the TV as a second monitor where you can drag windows between screens).

Wireless casting on Windows computers

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in casting feature called Project. First, make sure your TV supports wireless casting—most smart TVs made in the last five years do. Check your TV's manual or settings menu for "Miracast," "Screen Mirroring," or "Wireless Display" and turn it on. Your TV and computer must be connected to the same WiFi network.

On your Windows computer, press the Windows key and the letter P at the same time. A menu will appear on the right side of your screen with four options: "PC screen only," "Duplicate," "Extend," and "Second screen only." Click "Connect to a wireless display" at the bottom of this menu. Your computer will search for nearby devices. 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 TV within 10 to 15 seconds.

If your TV does not appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Restart the casting feature on your TV and try again. Some older TVs may not support Miracast; in that case, use an HDMI cable or buy a wireless adapter like a Chromecast or Roku device.

Wireless casting on Mac computers

Mac computers use AirPlay to cast wirelessly, but only to Apple TV devices or to newer smart TVs that support AirPlay 2 (LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio models made after 2018 usually do). Check your TV's manual or settings to confirm AirPlay support and turn it on. Your Mac and TV must be on the same WiFi network.

On your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of the screen (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Click "Screen Mirroring" and a list of available devices will appear. Select your TV. Your Mac screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop casting, open Control Center again, click "Screen Mirroring," and select "Turn Off AirPlay."

If your TV does not support AirPlay, use an HDMI cable instead. You can also buy an Apple TV device (a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI port) to add AirPlay support to any TV.

Using a Chromecast or streaming device

If your TV does not support wireless casting natively, you can buy a Chromecast (made by Google), Roku Streaming Stick, or similar device. These are small devices that plug into your TV's HDMI port and add casting features. Chromecast works with Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Roku works with most devices as well.

Plug the device into an HDMI port on your TV and connect it to power (usually via a USB cable). Follow the on-screen setup to connect it to your WiFi network. Once set up, casting works the same way as built-in wireless casting: on Windows, use the Project menu; on Mac with Chromecast, use Control Center and select the Chromecast device instead of your TV.

These devices cost between $30 and $100 depending on the model and features. They are useful if you have an older TV or want more casting options than your TV offers built-in.

Adjusting your display settings after connecting

Once your computer is connected to the TV, you may want to change how the display works. Mirroring shows the exact same image on both your computer monitor and the TV—useful for presentations or watching videos together. Extending treats the TV as a second monitor, so you can drag windows between screens—useful for working with more screen space.

On Windows, open Display settings (right-click your desktop and select "Display settings"). Scroll down to "Multiple displays" and choose "Duplicate these displays" to mirror or "Extend these displays" to extend. On Mac, open System Preferences, click "Displays," and choose "Mirror Displays" or leave it unchecked to extend.

You can also adjust the resolution and refresh rate here if the picture looks blurry or the TV is showing black bars around the edges. Start with the TV's native resolution (usually listed in its manual) for the sharpest picture.

Troubleshooting when nothing appears on the TV

If you plugged in an HDMI cable and nothing shows up, first check that the TV is on and set to the correct HDMI input. Use the TV remote to cycle through inputs until you see your computer screen. If the TV is on the right input but still blank, try restarting your computer. If that does not work, unplug the HDMI cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

For wireless casting, the most common problem is that your computer and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check your TV's network settings and your computer's WiFi settings to confirm they are both connected to the same network name. If they are, restart both devices and try casting again. If your TV is far from your WiFi router, move closer to the router or buy a WiFi extender.

If you see your TV in the casting list but the connection fails, restart the casting feature on your TV (turn it off and back on in the settings menu) and try again. Some TVs require you to accept the connection on the TV itself before it will work—look for a prompt on the TV screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my computer keyboard and mouse while the screen is on the TV?

Yes. Your keyboard and mouse control the computer normally, and whatever you do on the computer appears on the TV. This works the same way whether you are mirroring or extending the display. You can type, click, and navigate just as if you were looking at your computer monitor.

Will casting slow down my computer or internet?

Wired HDMI has no effect on your computer's speed or internet. Wireless casting uses your WiFi network but does not significantly slow down your internet for other devices. If your WiFi is already slow or far from the router, casting may stutter or lag slightly—moving closer to the router usually fixes this.

What if my TV has no HDMI ports?

Older TVs may have only composite (red, white, yellow) or VGA ports. You can buy an adapter cable that converts HDMI to these older formats, though the picture quality will be lower. A better option is to buy a Chromecast or Roku device, which adds wireless casting to any TV with an HDMI port.

Do I need to buy anything to cast wirelessly?

If your TV supports Miracast (Windows) or AirPlay 2 (Mac), no—it is built in. If your TV does not support wireless casting, you will need to either use an HDMI cable or buy a streaming device like a Chromecast ($30–$50). Check your TV's manual to see if it supports wireless casting before buying anything.

Can I cast from my phone or tablet to the TV the same way?

Yes, the process is similar. Android phones and tablets use Miracast or Google Cast (if you have a Chromecast). iPhones and iPads use AirPlay. The steps are the same: make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network, open the casting menu, and select your TV. The TV will show your phone or tablet screen.

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.