How to Connect a PlayStation 4 to a Computer Monitor or Laptop

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The easiest ways to use your PS4 on your PC or Mac
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To connect a PlayStation 4 to your laptop or computer, all you need is the Remote Play app or an HDMI cable. To use an HDMI cable, your laptop needs an input port. If it doesn’t, the next easiest way to play is to use the Remote Play app. The Sony Remote Play app allows you to connect your console to your PC or Mac so you can play all your favorite games with a PS4 controller. We’ll also tell you how to connect your PS4 to a computer monitor if you have one. Keep reading for more!

Connecting a PS4 to a PC via HDMI

Plug the HDMI cable into your laptop if it has an “HDMI input” port. If it doesn’t, get a capture card and download OBS Studio. Follow the instructions to install it, then right-click the app and “Run as administrator.” Plug the capture card into the HDMI cable and your laptop, then plug the HDMI cable into your PS4.

Section 1 of 3:

Can you plug a PS4 into a laptop with an HDMI cable?

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  1. The PlayStation 4 and most laptops have output HDMI ports, meaning the picture and sound can only travel out through them. [1] However, if your laptop has an input HDMI port, you can plug the PS4 directly into it. Look at the trapezoidal port in your laptop to see if it says “HDMI input.” [2]
    • If your laptop does have an HDMI input port: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into it and the other into the HDMI port on the back of your PlayStation.
    • If the port isn’t labeled as input or output: Consult the user manual for your laptop on the manufacturer’s website.
    • Even if you can’t connect your laptop directly to the PS4, you can use the Remote Play app to play the games from your PlayStation on your laptop with a PS4 controller.
  2. Get a capture card with a 3.0 USB and download the free app OBS Studio on your laptop. Follow the instructions to install the app, then right-click it and click “Run as administrator.” Plug the capture card into the HDMI cable, then plug the HDMI cable in your PS4 and the capture card into your laptop. [3]
    • Turn on the PS4. On OBS Studio, click the “+” in the bottom left corner of the “Scenes” panel. Select “Video Capture Device.” Click the box next to “Device” and select the capture card.
    • Press “OK.” In the “Audio Mixer” panel, click the three vertical dots under “Video Capture Device.” Under “Audio Monitoring” by “Video Capture Device,” select “Monitor and Output.”
    • Right-click your PS4’s screen in the middle of OBS Studio and select “Fullscreen Projector.” Now you can play!
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Section 2 of 3:

Connecting a PS4 to a Laptop or Computer with Remote Play

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  1. Remote Play is a free app that allows you to connect your PlayStation 4 wirelessly to a Windows or macOS computer. Visit the Remote Play site , then click the blue button that says “Download.” Double-click the installer in your downloads and follow the instructions on-screen. [4]
    • By default, your downloaded files can be found in your "Downloads" folder or in the “Downloads section on your web browser. Double-click the install file to start.
    • During the installation process, you'll need to select a language and agree to the terms of service.
    • For best results, Sony recommends using a high-speed connection with upload and download speeds of at least 15 Mbps. [5]
  2. While your PS4 is connected to a separate TV, turn it on and navigate to “Settings” > “Remote Play Connection Settings” > “Enable Remote Play.” Then, go to “Settings” > “Account Management” > “Activate as Your Primary PS4” and select “Activate.” [6]
    • You can only activate one PS4 as your primary console for each account.
  3. To connect a wired controller, connect the end of the USB cable to your computer. [7] For a wireless controller, make sure the player indicator light on the front is off. Press and hold the “SHARE” and PS buttons until the light bar flashes. Enable Bluetooth on your computer, then choose the controller from the list of devices. [8]
    • To use a DUALSHOCK 4 wireless or wired PS4 controller, your PC must be Windows 10 or higher. [9]
    • Mac computers must run Catalina or later to use a DUALSHOCK 4 controller. [10]
  4. You can find the PS4 Remote Play app in the Windows Start menu or the “Applications” folder on Mac. Double-click the app to open it, then select “Sign in to PSN.” Sign in with the same account information that you use for your console. [11]
    • The app has a blue icon with an image that resembles a DualShock controller.
    • Selecting “Settings” on the initial pop-up allows you to configure your resolution, frame rate, and other video settings for the Remote Play app.
  5. The app will search for your PS4 console. If multiple PlayStations appear on-screen, select the console you want to use. Once it connects, the screen on your computer will display the screen of your console, and you can start playing. [12]
    • If the console doesn’t connect automatically, Remote Play will ask you to manually register it.
    • To manually register your PC or Mac, go to “Settings” > “Remote Play Connection Settings” > “Add Device” on your PS4. On the Remote Play app, enter the number displayed on the screen connected to your console.
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Section 3 of 3:

Hooking a PS4 to a Computer Monitor with an HDMI Cable

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  1. Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the “HDMI OUT” port on the back of your PlayStation. [13] Plug the other end into the port in your monitor labeled “HDMI input” or “HDMI IN.” [14] The screen of your PS4 will then show up on your monitor.
    • Use the power cords provided to plug the PS4 and the computer monitor into the wall.
    • If you’re connecting your PS4 to the internet with a wire, plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the back of your PlayStation and the other into your router or modem.
  2. A VGA adapter allows you to connect an old monitor that doesn’t have an HDMI input to a PS4 without affecting the picture. VGA cables only carry the picture, while HDMI cables carry picture and sound. To carry both and get the PS4 to recognize your equipment, you will also need an HDMI switch . [15]
    • Make sure your HDMI switch has an external power supply that you can plug into the wall.
    • Connect the HDMI part of the VGA adapter into the “OUTPUT” port in the HDMI switch. Connect an HDMI cable from the PS4 to any of the input ports in the HDMI switch.
    • Plug the VGA cable from the monitor into the adapter. Plug a pair of external speakers into the adapter’s “LINE out” port.
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  • Question
    Can you connect a PS4 to a monitor with an HDMI cable?
    Zay Kerns
    Community Answer
    If your HDMI cable is double sided, find the HDMI port on the back of the PS4 (upper center). Once that end is inside the Playstation, use the other end to plug into the monitor's HDMI port on the back as well. From there, turn on the PS4 and use the buttons that are usually on the back of monitors to move over to the SOURCE or SOURCE CONTROL option. From there, select HDMI (go through all of the HDMI options if there's more than one).
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  • Question
    How do you know your passcode?
    Chase Ogden
    Community Answer
    It should pop up on screen for you to see. Make sure you go slowly, so you don't miss it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Notebooks/Play-PS4-on-my-laptop/td-p/6643119
      2. ↑ https://www.techadvisor.com/article/743460/what-is-hdmi-and-what-hdmi-port-do-i-have.html
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/mJMmhERE6rc?t=71
      4. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/remote-play/
      5. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/playstation-remote-play-on-pc-and-mac/
      6. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/playstation-remote-play-on-pc-and-mac/
      7. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-use-a-ps4-dualshock-4-controller-on-a-pc
      8. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/support/hardware/ps4-pair-dualshock-4-wireless-with-pc-or-mac/
      9. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/remote-play/
      1. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/remote-play/
      2. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/playstation-remote-play-on-pc-and-mac/
      3. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/playstation-remote-play-on-pc-and-mac/
      4. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps4-set-up/
      5. ↑ https://www.techadvisor.com/article/743460/what-is-hdmi-and-what-hdmi-port-do-i-have.html
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/xqSJprqfItM?t=110

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Navigate to https://remoteplay.dl.playstation.net/remoteplay/ .
      2. Click Windows PC or Mac to download the PS4 Remote Play install file.
      3. Double-click the PS4 Remote Play install file and follow the installation instructions.
      4. Open the PS4 Remote Play app.
      5. Connect a Dualshock 4 controller to your PC or Mac.
      6. Press the Options button on your Dualshock Controller.
      7. Sign in to your Playstation Network account.
      8. Enter your PS4 Passcode (if you have one set up).

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