How to Screen Mirror Your PC to a Samsung TV

The fastest way to mirror your PC screen to a Samsung TV

You can mirror your PC screen to a Samsung TV using Smart View (Samsung's built-in wireless casting tool), a wired HDMI connection, or Windows' native Cast feature. Smart View works over your home WiFi and requires no cables—your PC and TV must be on the same network. If you want to avoid setup steps, an HDMI cable is the most direct route and works when ready. Windows 10 and 11 also let you cast without downloading anything extra by using the Settings menu.

All three methods display your PC screen on the TV in real time, so anything you open on your computer appears on the television. The method you choose depends on whether you have an HDMI cable handy, how far your PC sits from the TV, and whether your TV model supports wireless casting. If you're unsure which route to take, start with the method that matches what you have available right now—HDMI if you have a cable, Smart View if you want wireless and don't mind a quick read.

Key Takeaways

Smart View is Samsung's wireless mirroring tool and works when your PC and TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
An HDMI cable plugged into your TV's HDMI port and your PC's video output port mirrors when ready without any software setup.
Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in Cast feature in Settings that works with Samsung TVs that support Miracast.
Older Samsung TV models may not support wireless mirroring and will require an HDMI cable or a separate streaming device.
File transfer (moving files to your TV's storage) is different from screen mirroring and requires a USB drive or network file sharing.

Using Smart View to mirror wirelessly

Smart View is Samsung's official wireless mirroring app. read it from the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC, then open it and look for your TV's name in the list of available devices. Click your TV's name, and your PC screen will appear on the television within a few seconds. Both devices must be plugged in and connected to the same WiFi network—if your TV doesn't show up, restart both devices and try again.

Once mirroring starts, anything on your PC screen appears on the TV in real time. You can open files, browse folders, or play videos, and the TV shows exactly what you see. Audio plays through your TV's speakers by default. If the connection drops, open Smart View again and select your TV to reconnect. Smart View works on Samsung TVs from roughly 2016 onward; if your TV is older, check your model number in the TV's settings menu under "About This TV" to confirm the year.

Connecting with an HDMI cable

An HDMI cable is the most reliable method and requires no WiFi or software. Plug one end into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your Samsung TV, and plug the other end into your PC's HDMI output port (or a USB-C to HDMI adapter if your PC has only USB-C ports). Your TV will detect the connection automatically and display your PC's screen.

Use your TV's remote to select the correct HDMI input if the PC screen doesn't appear when ready—most TVs have an "Input" or "Source" button on the remote. Once selected, your PC screen fills the TV display. This method works on every Samsung TV model, regardless of age, and has no lag or connection issues. The only drawback is the cable length limits how far your PC can sit from the TV.

Using Windows' built-in Cast feature

Windows 10 and 11 include a wireless casting tool that works with Samsung TVs that support Miracast (a wireless standard). Open Settings on your PC, go to System, then select "Projecting to this PC" or "Display" depending on your Windows version. Look for an option to "Connect to a wireless display" and click it. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list if it's powered on and supports Miracast.

Click your TV's name to begin mirroring. The first connection may take 10 to 15 seconds; after that, reconnecting is faster. If your TV doesn't appear, make sure it's on the same WiFi network as your PC and check your TV's settings to confirm Miracast is turned on (this is usually under "Network" or "Wireless" settings). Older Samsung models may not support Miracast, in which case Smart View or an HDMI cable is your option.

Transferring files to your TV instead of mirroring

Screen mirroring shows your PC screen on the TV but doesn't move files to the TV's storage. If you want to copy photos, videos, or documents to your TV so you can access them later without your PC, you need a different approach. The simplest method is to use a USB drive: copy your files to the USB drive on your PC, plug it into your TV's USB port, and browse the files using your TV's file manager or media app.

Some Samsung TVs also support network file sharing over WiFi. If your TV and PC are on the same network, you can set up a shared folder on your PC and access it from your TV's file browser. This requires enabling file sharing in Windows (usually under Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Sharing Options) and knowing your PC's network name and password. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to see if it has a "Network Storage" or "SMB" option for this feature.

Troubleshooting when your TV doesn't appear

If your Samsung TV doesn't show up in Smart View or Windows Cast, first confirm both devices are on the same WiFi network. Check your TV's WiFi connection by going to Settings > Network > WiFi Status. On your PC, open Settings and verify you're connected to the same network name. Restart both devices completely—unplug the TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in, and restart your PC.

If the TV still doesn't appear, check whether your TV model supports wireless mirroring. Very old Samsung TVs (before 2015) may not have this feature. Try an HDMI cable as a backup; if that works, your TV likely doesn't support wireless casting. For Smart View specifically, uninstall and reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store. If you're using Windows Cast, go to Settings > System > Display and toggle "Wireless displays" off and on again to reset the feature.

Common mistakes that break the connection

The most common error is connecting your PC and TV to different WiFi networks—one to your main network and one to a guest network, for example. Check both devices are on the same network name. Another frequent problem is having your PC in airplane mode or with WiFi turned off; make sure WiFi is enabled on your PC before trying to connect.

Firewalls and security software sometimes block mirroring. If you've recently installed antivirus or security software and mirroring stopped working, check whether the program has a network or casting setting you need to allow. Finally, don't assume mirroring is broken if it takes 20 to 30 seconds to connect the first time—wireless casting is slower on the initial connection than on reconnects. Wait at least 30 seconds before trying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my PC to a Samsung TV that's not on WiFi?

No, wireless mirroring requires both devices on the same WiFi network. If your TV isn't connected to WiFi, use an HDMI cable instead. You can also connect your TV to WiFi through its Settings menu if it has a WiFi adapter built in (most Samsung TVs from 2015 onward do).

Does screen mirroring drain my PC's battery?

Yes, wireless mirroring uses more power than normal use because your PC is constantly sending video and audio to the TV over WiFi. Keep your PC plugged in during long mirroring sessions. Wired HDMI mirroring uses slightly less power but still drains the battery faster than normal.

Why is my mirrored screen laggy or delayed?

Wireless mirroring has a slight delay (usually under one second) because data travels over WiFi. If the lag is severe (more than two seconds), move your PC closer to the TV or router, or switch to an HDMI cable for zero delay. Interference from other WiFi networks or devices can also cause lag.

Can I mirror just one window instead of my whole screen?

Smart View and Windows Cast mirror your entire screen. If you want to show only one window, you can minimize other windows or use a virtual desktop to isolate the window you want to display. Some third-party apps offer window-only mirroring, but Samsung's built-in tools don't include this feature.

What if my PC has USB-C instead of HDMI?

Buy a USB-C to HDMI adapter (usually $10 to $20) and plug it into your PC's USB-C port, then connect an HDMI cable to the adapter. Make sure the adapter supports video output—not all USB-C adapters do. Alternatively, use Smart View or Windows Cast for wireless mirroring 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.