The fastest way to send YouTube from your computer to your TV
The simplest method is Chromecast: open YouTube on your PC, tap the cast icon (a rectangle with a WiFi symbol in the bottom right corner), select your TV from the list, and the video plays on your screen instead of your computer. Your phone or PC remote controls playback. This works on any TV with a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port, or on a TV with Chromecast built in.
If you don't have Chromecast, HDMI cable is the backup: plug one end into your PC and the other into your TV's HDMI port, switch your TV to that HDMI input, and YouTube plays directly on the big screen. No setup, no WiFi needed, but you're tethered to a cable.
Other options exist — AirPlay on Apple devices, Miracast on Windows, or smart TV apps — but Chromecast and HDMI cover most situations. The choice depends on what hardware you already own and whether you want to move around while watching.
Key Takeaways
- Chromecast is the easiest wireless option: tap the cast icon in YouTube, pick your TV, and watch on the big screen while controlling from your PC.
- An HDMI cable connects your PC directly to your TV with no setup and no WiFi, but you cannot move your computer once plugged in.
- Your TV must either have Chromecast built in or have a Chromecast device (a small dongle) plugged into an HDMI port.
- Windows PCs can also use Miracast if your TV supports it, though the process is less straightforward than Chromecast.
- Smart TV apps let you open YouTube directly on the TV itself, bypassing your PC entirely.
Setting up Chromecast on your PC
First, make sure your Chromecast device is plugged into an HDMI port on your TV and powered on. Your TV should show a setup screen or a Chromecast logo. If you haven't set it up yet, follow the on-screen instructions or use the Google Home app on your phone to connect it to your WiFi network.
On your PC, open YouTube in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Go to any video. In the bottom right corner of the video player, you'll see a cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with a curved WiFi symbol. Click it. A menu appears showing all Chromecast devices on your network. Select your TV's name. The video stops on your PC and starts playing on your TV within a few seconds.
Your PC becomes a remote: pause, play, skip forward and backward, adjust volume, and change videos all from your keyboard or mouse. You can also minimize YouTube on your PC or close the browser — the video keeps playing on your TV.
Using an HDMI cable instead
Plug one end of an HDMI cable into your PC's HDMI port (most modern laptops and desktops have one; older machines may need an adapter). Plug the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. Your TV may detect the connection automatically, or you may need to press the Input or Source button on your remote and select the HDMI port you used.
Your PC screen now appears on your TV. Open YouTube in your browser and play a video. The video fills your TV screen. Use your keyboard, mouse, or a wireless keyboard to control playback. The cable carries both video and audio, so you don't need separate speakers.
The downside: you're connected by cable, so you can't move your PC around. The upside: no WiFi needed, no setup, and no lag. This method works on any TV with an HDMI port, even old ones.
Miracast for Windows PCs without Chromecast
If your TV supports Miracast (most modern smart TVs do), you can cast wirelessly from a Windows PC without a Chromecast device. On your PC, press the Windows key and type "Connect" to open the Connect app. Click "Connect to a wireless display." Your TV should appear in the list if Miracast is turned on. Select it and wait a few seconds for the connection.
Your PC screen mirrors to your TV. Open YouTube and play a video. Control it from your keyboard or mouse. Miracast works over WiFi but doesn't require a separate device like Chromecast — it's built into Windows and many TVs.
The catch: setup is less intuitive than Chromecast, and not all TVs support Miracast equally well. If your TV doesn't appear in the list, check your TV's manual to see if Miracast is enabled or called by a different name (some manufacturers call it "Screen Mirroring" or "Wireless Display").
AirPlay for Mac and iPad users
If you have a Mac or iPad and an Apple TV device, AirPlay is the native option. Open YouTube on your Mac or iPad, tap the AirPlay icon (an upward-pointing triangle inside a rectangle), and select your Apple TV. The video plays on your TV and you control it from your device.
AirPlay also works on some newer smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Vizio without needing an Apple TV device. Check your TV's manual to see if AirPlay is built in. If it is, the process is the same: tap the AirPlay icon and select your TV.
AirPlay is faster and more reliable than Miracast on Apple devices, but it requires either an Apple TV or a compatible smart TV. If you have neither, Chromecast or HDMI are your options.
Using your TV's YouTube app instead
Many smart TVs have YouTube built in. Press the Home button on your TV remote, look for the YouTube app, and open it. Sign in with your Google account. You can now browse and play videos directly on your TV without using your PC at all.
This is the simplest approach if your TV has the app: no casting, no cables, no setup beyond signing in. The downside is that you're limited to your TV's remote for control, and the app may be slower or less up-to-date than YouTube on a PC. But for casual watching, it's the easiest route.
If your TV doesn't have YouTube built in, you can add it through the TV's app store (called the Play Store on Android TVs, the App Store on some Samsung models, or similar names on other brands). Search for YouTube, install it, and sign in.
Troubleshooting common casting problems
Chromecast doesn't appear in the cast menu: Make sure your PC and Chromecast are on the same WiFi network. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Refresh the YouTube page on your PC and try again.
Video lags or keeps buffering: Move your PC closer to your router or Chromecast device. WiFi interference from other devices can slow the connection. If lag persists, use an HDMI cable instead — it has no wireless delay.
HDMI cable shows no picture: Make sure you've selected the correct HDMI input on your TV. Press the Input or Source button on your remote and cycle through the ports until you see your PC screen. If nothing appears, try a different HDMI port on your TV — one may be faulty.
Audio plays on PC but not on TV: With HDMI, the cable carries both video and audio. If you hear nothing, check your TV's volume and make sure the TV input is set correctly. With Chromecast, make sure your TV's volume is up and the device is not muted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need WiFi to cast YouTube to my TV?
Chromecast and Miracast both need WiFi. HDMI cable does not — it's a direct physical connection. AirPlay needs WiFi too. If you don't have WiFi or it's unreliable, use an HDMI cable.
Can I use my PC while YouTube plays on my TV?
Yes, with Chromecast, Miracast, and AirPlay. Your PC becomes a remote control. You can minimize YouTube, open other programs, or even close the browser — the video keeps playing on your TV. With HDMI, your PC screen mirrors to the TV, so anything you do on your PC shows up on the TV too.
What if my TV doesn't have HDMI?
Older TVs with only composite (red, white, yellow) ports need an adapter. You can buy an HDMI-to-composite converter, but quality and reliability vary. A better option is to use a Chromecast device, which works on any TV with an HDMI port — even if that's the only modern port available.
Is casting the same as mirroring?
No. Casting sends a specific app or video to your TV — your PC screen stays separate. Mirroring (Miracast, AirPlay) copies your entire PC screen to the TV. Chromecast is casting. Miracast and AirPlay are mirroring. For YouTube, casting is usually better because you can use your PC for other things while the video plays.
Can I cast from my phone to the TV using my PC?
No. Your phone casts directly to the TV or Chromecast device over WiFi. Your PC doesn't need to be involved. If you want to watch YouTube from your phone on your TV, use the cast icon in the YouTube app on your phone instead.