Easy Ways to Connect a Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook to Your TV

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Easily connect your laptop or desktop to the big screen
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Connecting your computer to a television allows you to display content from your computer screen allows you to display content from your PC or laptop on a large screen. This is useful for presentations or if you just want to enjoy photos, videos, or gaming on a large screen. This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your computer to a TV with expert tips from computer and tech specialists Luigi Oppido and Yaffet Meshesha.

Wired Connection Quick Steps

  1. Check your computer for an HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, or DVI port.
  2. Check your TV and see what input ports it has (HDMI is most common).
  3. Purchase an adapter for the cable if necessary.
  4. Plug each end of the cable into your computer and TV.
  5. Power your computer and TV on.
  6. Select the input source your computer is connected to on your TV.
Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Using a Wired Connection

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  1. The type of connection port on your computer will determine the best way to connect to a TV. Check for the following connection ports:
    • HDMI: HDMI ports are about 3/4 of an inch wide, with the top part of the port being slightly bigger than the bottom. Most newer flatscreen and HDTVs and many newer laptops and desktop computers support HDMI.
    • DisplayPort: DisplayPort is mostly used on Macs and some PCs. They have a small rectangular port that is cut at the bottom corners. These ports have an identical shape as the Thunderbolt ports, but they are NOT the same. Check the ports' labeling to ensure you are using the right port.
    • DVI: A DVI port has a white connection with 24 square holes. These are also used in most older computer models.
    • VGA: VGA cables are rectangular ports with 15 pins. These are most commonly used on older computers. They are supported by some TVs and computers.
    • USB: If your computer has no video output ports, you can purchase an adapter that can convert a USB port into an HDMI out port on your computer. This may require you to install additional software on your computer. [1]
  2. After you determine what video out connections your computer supports, you will need to see what type of video input connections your TV supports. Check the back of your television to see if you can find the same video connection ports that your computer supports.
    • The most common connection type that TVs support is HDMI.
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  3. Once you've determined what type of video connection your computer and TV support, use the proper cable to connect to the video out port on your computer and then connect to an identical port on your TV.
    • If you are using a VGA or DVI cable and want to hear audio through your TV, you will need to connect an audio cable to your TV. You can do this by connecting a 3.5mm auxiliary cable to the headphone jack on your computer and to the 3.5mm input on your TV or a set of external speakers. [2]
    • You can also purchase an adapter to convert an HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA to a different cable type that is supported by your TV.
  4. After you have connected your TV and your computer, press the power button to turn on your computer. Then, use the remote for your TV to turn on your TV.
  5. Use the remote for your TV and press the button that says Source , Input , or something similar, then select the input that you connected your computer to. Often, your computer can detect the new display automatically. If it does not detect the new display, you'll need to detect a display in Windows .
    • If you are not getting audio on your computer, make sure you connect the audio cable to the Audio In input that corresponds to the source your computer's video cable is connected to.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Detecting a Display on Windows

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  1. It's the button that has a Windows logo. By default, it's in the lower-left corner of the Windows taskbar. This displays the Start menu.
  2. It's the icon that resembles a gear. It's on the left side of the Windows Start menu.
  3. It's the first option in the Windows Settings menu. On Windows 11, it's the first option in the menu bar on the left-hand side. On Windows 10, it's next to an icon that resembles a laptop computer.
  4. It's the first option in the sidebar menu to the left. This displays your Display Settings.
  5. 5
    Click Multiple Displays (Windows 11 only). If you are using Windows 11 scroll down and expand the menu below "Multiple displays."
  6. On Windows 11, it's below the "Multiple Displays" header. On Windows 10, it's the grey button at the bottom of the Display settings menu. Windows will scan for connected displays.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Detecting a Display on Mac

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  1. 1
    Click the Apple icon. It's in the menu bar in the upper-left corner of the Mac desktop screen. This displays the Apple menu.
  2. 2
    Click System Settings or System Preferences . It's in the Apple menu that appears when you click the Apple icon. If you are using a newer version of macOS, it will say System Settings . If you are using an older version of macOS, it will say System Preferences .
  3. 3
    Click Displays . It's in the menu bar on the left of newer macOS versions. On older versions of macOS, the icon resembles a computer display.
    • If you are using an older macOS version, click the Display tab at the top.
  4. 4
    Press and hold the Options button. This displays a button that says "Detect Displays" in the lower-right corner.
  5. 5
    Click Detect Displays . It's in the lower-right corner of the Displays window when you press the Options button. Your Mac will scan and detect any displays connected to your Mac.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Connecting Wirelessly on Windows

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  1. Before connecting to your TV and your computer using a wireless connection, you must connect both to the same Wi-Fi network. You can do this in the network settings menu on your computer and TV.
  2. The way you do this is different from one TV model to another. You may need to select "Screen Mirroring" as the source input. There may be a setting you need to select in the Bluetooth menu on your TV. You may not need to do anything at all. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's website to learn how to connect Bluetooth devices to your TV.
    • Not all TVs support wireless screen mirroring from a computer. If you cannot connect to your TV using Bluetooth, you can buy a media streaming device, such as a Roku stick, Fire TV Stick, or Google TV (formerly Chromecast), to connect to your TV through this device wirelessly. According to Oppido, a Google TV or Chromecast device has the quickest and most open means of connecting a computer to a TV wirelessly. [3]
  3. It's in the lower-left corner of the desktop screen in the taskbar. This displays the Windows Start menu.
  4. It's the icon that resembles a gear. It's on the left-hand side of the Windows Start menu.
  5. It's the second option in the Settings menu. On Windows 11, click Bluetooth & devices in the menu bar to the left. On Windows 10, it's next to an icon that resembles a keyboard and an iPod.
  6. 6
    Ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Check the toggle switch next to "Bluetooth" at the top. Ensure the toggle switch is turned on.
  7. On Windows 11, click Devices below the toggle switch. On Windows 10, click Bluetooth & Other Devices at the top of the sidebar menu on the left. This displays your Bluetooth options.
  8. It's the first option at the top of the "Bluetooth & Other Devices" menu. This displays a pop-up window used to add a device via Bluetooth.
  9. It's the second option in the "Add a device" pop-up menu. This searches for wireless displays or devices.
  10. As soon as your TV or streaming device (Roku, Chromecast) appears in the list of devices in the "Add a device" menu, click it to initiate a connection.
  11. You may be required to enter a PIN displayed on your TV. Once the connection is successful, you should see the contents of your computer monitor on your TV.
    • There may be a slight delay between your computer and the TV display.
    EXPERT TIP

    Luigi Oppido

    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist

    Check your router if your connection isn't working. A lot of people have older routers that can't handle the higher levels of connectivity needed for screen mirroring. You may need to contact your internet service provider to upgrade your router.

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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Using AirPlay to Connect a Mac

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  1. Your Mac and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's website for your TV to learn how to connect it to a Wi-Fi network .
    • According to Oppido, if your TV does not support AirPlay, you can buy an Apple TV streaming box and use it to connect to your TV. Make sure it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. [4]
    • If you are using an AirPlay-capable smart TV, you may need to go into the Settings menu on your TV and enable AirPlay . Consult the user's manual for your TV if you need help locating the options to do so.
    • Meshesha notes that if you have a Chromecast or Google TV-enabled device, you can also use the Google Chrome web browser on your Mac to cast a browser tab to your TV. [5]
  2. 2
    Click the Control Center icon. It's the icon that resembles two toggle switches. It's in the menu bar in the upper-right corner.
  3. 3
    Click Screen Mirror . It's in the corner of the menu that appears when you click the Control Center icon. It has an icon that resembles two screens layered on top of each other.
  4. 4
    Click your TV. Your TV should appear in your list of devices. Click your TV to connect to it. [6]
    • You may be asked to enter a 4-digit PIN that appears on your TV. If so, go ahead and enter the PIN on your Mac.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Connecting a Chromebook Wirelessly

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  1. 1
    Make sure your Chromebook and TV are on the same wireless network. To mirror your Chromecast screen to your TV, your Chromebook and TV need to be connected to the same wireless network.
    • Your TV or device also needs to be discoverable via Bluetooth.
    • Not all TVs support screen mirroring from a Chromecast. To mirror your screen from a Chromebook, you need a TV with integrated Chromecast, Android TV, or Google TV support. If your TV does not have integrated Chromecast support, you can connect a device that does, such as a Chromecast, Google TV box, or even an Amazon Fire TV Stick.
  2. 2
    Click the Time. It's in the lower-right corner of your Chromebook desktop screen. This displays a pop-up menu.
  3. 3
    Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on. You need Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on to connect a Chromebook wirelessly. Click the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons if they are not turned on.
  4. 4
    Click Cast devices available . It has an icon that resembles a screen with wireless signals in the lower-right corner. This displays devices you can cast to.
  5. 5
    Select your TV or Chromecast. If your TV or Chromecast is on the same W-Fi network, it should appear in the list of devices. Select the device you want to cast to.
  6. 6
    Select the option to mirror your screen. You may be asked what you want to share on the TV. Select the option to mirror your Chromebook screen. [7]
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Using Google Chrome

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  1. 1
    Make sure your computer and TV or streaming device are on the same network. If you have a Google TV Steaming device, Chromecast, or a Smart TV with Google TV or Chromecast integrated, you can mirror your screen to your TV using your Google Chrome web browser. Your computer and Google TV or Chromecast device must be connected to the same wireless network to do so.
  2. 2
    Open Google Chrome. Click the icon that resembles a red, yellow, green, and blue wheel to open Google Chrome.
  3. 3
    Click â‹® . It's the button with three dots in the upper-right corner. This displays the menu.
  4. 4
    Click Cast, save, and share . It's towards the bottom of the menu. It's next to an icon resembling a paper sheet with an arrow pointing down.
  5. 5
    Click Cast . It's at the top of the Cast menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a screen with a Wi-Fi wave in the lower-left corner. This displays a list of devices you can cast to.
  6. 6
    Select your screen as your source. To do so, click the button that says Sources at the bottom of the menu, then click Cast Screen .
    • Alternatively, you can cast an open tab in Google Chrome.
  7. 7
    Click your Google TV or Chromecast device. Your Chromecast or Google TV-enabled device should appear in the list of devices as long as it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Click your streaming device to mirror your screen to your TV. [8]
  8. 8
    Cast video to your TV. In addition to mirroring your computer screen, you can cast video from various video sites (i.e. YouTube, Netflix) to any TV that supports casting (not just Google TV and Chromecast devices). To do so, play a video in your computer's web browser and click the Cast icon in the upper-right corner of the video playback. Then, select your TV or streaming device.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How much is a display adapter for a PC?
    Yaffet Meshesha
    Computer Specialist
    Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.
    Yaffet Meshesha
    Computer Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you're talking about a wireless adapter, Microsoft sells them for $45, although you may be able to find them used for cheaper. If you're just talking about the adapters you use to turn a VGA port into an HDMI connection, then those are just a couple of dollars.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Can I connect any computer to my TV wirelessly?
    Yaffet Meshesha
    Computer Specialist
    Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.
    Yaffet Meshesha
    Computer Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Unfortunately, no. With an Apple computer, you can only connect to Apply TVs. With Chromecast, you can only display the Google Chrome browser. Windows computers often require a display adapter.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Is there a way to hook up a computer to a TV without having HDMI?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Some TV's have a VGA port you can use.
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      Tips

      • If you cannot get a video connection on your TV, try using a different port on your TV. If that doesn't work or no other port exists, try using a different TV or monitor. If that doesn't work, try using a different cable. If that doesn't work, there may be a problem with the video out port on your computer.
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      Things You'll Need

      • S-video/VGA/HDMI cable
      • USB/DVI/Firewire/Thunderbolt adaptor
      • Audio cable
      • Extra-long cords
      • TV remote control


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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLtAtgIiANo
      2. ↑ https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/laptop/connect-laptop-tv-3280787/
      3. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 June 2020
      4. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 June 2020
      5. ↑ Yaffet Meshesha. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/stream-video-and-audio-with-airplay-mchld7e543a0/mac
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/3289520
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Check the video-out ports on your computer.
      2. Purchase a video cable that is supported by your computer and TV.
      3. Connect a cable from a video-out port on your computer to an input on your TV.
      4. Turn on your computer and your TV.
      5. Use the TV remote to select the right video source.
      6. Click the Windows Start icon, or Apple icon on Mac.
      7. Click the gear icon on Windows, or System Preferences on Mac.
      8. Click the icon that resembles a laptop on Windows or the icon that resembles a computer screen on Mac.
      9. Click Display
      10. Scroll down and click Detect on Windows. On Mac, press the Options button and click Detect Displays .

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