How to Cast Your Computer Screen to a TV

The Basic Steps to Cast from Your Computer

Casting your computer to a TV means sending your screen's display wirelessly to a larger monitor. On a Chromecast device, you do this through Google Chrome or through built-in casting features on Windows and Mac computers. The process takes about 30 seconds once your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Start by plugging your Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV and connecting it to power. Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where your Chromecast is plugged in. On your computer, open Google Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select "Cast", and choose your Chromecast device from the list. Your screen will appear on the TV within seconds.

If you are using Windows 10 or 11, you can also cast without Chrome. Press the Windows key and the K key together, select your Chromecast from the list, and your screen will mirror to the TV. On a Mac, open Control Center (click the icon in the top right corner), select "Screen Mirage", and choose your Chromecast device.

Key Takeaways

Your computer and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
Google Chrome casting works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting Cast.
Windows 10 and 11 computers can cast using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + K without opening Chrome.
Your computer screen will mirror exactly to the TV, so anything you do on your computer will show on the larger display.
Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, not an HDMI cable, so you can move your computer around the room while casting.

Casting Through Google Chrome

Google Chrome is the most reliable way to cast from any computer to a Chromecast. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) in the top right corner of the window. Scroll down and click "Cast". A small window will pop up showing all Chromecast devices on your network.

Click the device you want to use. You will see options to cast your entire screen or just a single Chrome tab. If you select "Cast tab", only that one browser tab will appear on your TV, and you can keep other tabs private on your computer. If you select "Cast screen", everything on your computer—including your desktop, other windows, and notifications—will show on the TV.

To stop casting, click the Cast button again and select "Stop casting". Your screen will return to normal on the TV, and your computer will no longer be connected to the Chromecast.

Casting from Windows Without Chrome

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in casting feature that does not require Chrome. Press the Windows key and the K key at the same time. A panel will open on the right side of your screen showing nearby Chromecast devices. Click the device you want to cast to.

Your entire screen will mirror to the TV. You can continue using your computer normally—everything you do will appear on the TV in real time. To disconnect, press Windows + K again and click "Disconnect".

This method works best for presentations or sharing content where you want your full desktop visible. If you only want to share one window or tab, use Chrome's casting feature instead, which gives you more control over what appears on the TV.

Casting from a Mac

Mac computers can cast to Chromecast through Control Center. Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Look for "Screen Mirage" in the menu and click it. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear.

Select your Chromecast device. Your Mac screen will begin mirroring to the TV. The menu will show a blue checkmark next to the device name while you are casting. To stop, open Control Center again, click "Screen Mirage", and select "Turn Off Screen Mirage".

If you do not see "Screen Mirage" in Control Center, you can also cast through Google Chrome using the same steps as Windows: open Chrome, click the menu button, select Cast, and choose your device.

Troubleshooting When Your Computer Will Not Cast

If your computer does not see your Chromecast device, the most common cause is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both your computer and your Chromecast are connected to the same network name. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name, try connecting your computer to the 2.4GHz band, as some Chromecast devices work better on that frequency.

Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it from power for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart your computer. Open your casting app (Chrome or Control Center) again and look for the device. If it still does not appear, check that your router is working and that other devices can connect to Wi-Fi.

If Chrome shows the Cast button but your Chromecast does not appear in the list, try updating Google Chrome. Click the three-dot menu, go to "Settings", then "About Chrome". Chrome will check for updates automatically. Close and reopen Chrome after the update completes.

What to Do When Casting Lags or Freezes

Casting relies on your Wi-Fi connection, so a weak signal or network congestion can cause delays or freezing. Move your computer closer to your router or Chromecast device. If many devices are using your Wi-Fi, disconnect devices you are not using, such as phones, tablets, or smart home devices.

Lower the resolution of what you are casting. If you are casting your entire screen, try casting a single Chrome tab instead, which uses less bandwidth. Close unnecessary programs and browser tabs on your computer to free up processing power.

If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This clears the network and often improves casting performance. You can also try moving your Chromecast to a different HDMI port on your TV, as some ports have better signal quality than others.

Casting Video, Music, and Documents

You can cast videos from YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services directly from Chrome. Open the video in Chrome, click the Cast button, select your Chromecast, and the video will play on your TV. The video will continue playing even if you minimize Chrome or switch to another browser tab.

For music, open Spotify, YouTube Music, or another streaming service in Chrome and use the Cast button the same way. The audio will play through your TV's speakers. You can control playback from your computer or from the Spotify or YouTube Music app on your phone.

To cast a document or presentation, open it in Google Docs, Google Slides, or Microsoft Office in Chrome. Click Cast and select your device. Your document will appear on the TV, and you can edit it on your computer while viewers watch on the larger screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app to cast from my computer?

No. Google Chrome is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Windows 10 and 11 have casting built in without any app. You do not need to read anything beyond what you already have.

Can I use my computer while something is casting to the TV?

Yes. If you are casting a Chrome tab, you can use other tabs and windows on your computer without affecting what appears on the TV. If you are casting your entire screen, everything you do will show on the TV, so be careful what you click or open.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network than my computer?

Casting will not work. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your network name in your computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure your Chromecast is connected to the same one. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest network.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your internet connection. However, if you are streaming video or music while casting, that does use your internet. Casting your desktop or a document uses very little bandwidth.

Can I cast from my computer to multiple TVs at once?

No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single computer. If you want to cast to multiple TVs, you would need to stop casting to the first one and start casting to the second one.

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.