How to connect a laptop to a TV using HDMI or wireless
💡Need to know
- Connecting your laptop and TV with an HDMI cable is the quickest wired method.
- Own a smart TV? Use Windows + K or Apple AirPlay to wirelessly connect.
- Use the Duplicate screen mode to display exactly what's on your laptop screen.
Even the largest laptop screens can sometimes feel too tiny. If you're working from home, squinting at spreadsheets or bouncing between web browsers gets old quickly. And the last thing you want to do is crowd your entire friend group around the laptop for movie night. That's too cozy. For a bigger view, you can connect your laptop to your TV.
At Asurion, our experts understand how much you rely on your tech. We're here to help with everything from teaching you how to connect a monitor to your laptop to troubleshooting why the HDMI port is not working on your laptop. Here's how to connect a laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable or wirelessly.
Connect using an HDMI cable or adapter
Using an HDMI cable to connect your TV and laptop may feel old-school, but it's still one of the most reliable methods. Follow these steps:
- Turn both the laptop and TV on.
- Find the HDMI output port on your laptop and plug one end of the HDMI cable into it.
- Plug the other end of the cable into one of the HDMI ports on your TV.
- Use the TV remote to select the correct input. For example, if you plugged the cable into the HDMI 1 port, choose that setting from the input menu.
Some newer laptops don't have an HDMI port. In that case, you'll need to use an HDMI adapter for the laptop to TV. Here's what that looks like:
- Plug the USB-C to HDMI connection adapter into your laptop.
- Plug the HDMI cable into the adapter.
- Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the TV, and pick the correct input.
Your TV should immediately display whatever is on your laptop screen. If it doesn't work, try connecting the HDMI cable to another TV port and switching the input.
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Link your laptop to a TV wirelessly
Maybe you don't own an HDMI cable, or you'd rather not be tethered to your smart TV while you work. You can always connect your laptop to the TV wirelessly instead.
Here's how to project your laptop to the TV if you own a Windows™ PC:
- Power on your laptop and TV.
- Press the Windows logo key and K at the same time.
- Choose your TV from the list of available devices.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to screen mirror your laptop to the TV.
You can also connect by using the wireless display settings for Windows 11:
- Open Settings and click System.
- Click Display.
- Next to Connect to a wireless display, select Connect.
- Select your TV.
Follow these steps to connect a MacBook Pro® or Air® to a TV through AirPlay®:
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Control Center on your Mac®.
- Tap the screen mirroring icon, which looks like two overlapping rectangles.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to extend your screen or use screen mirroring for your laptop to smart TV.
- Click Set as Default if you want your laptop to remember these preferences.
If your wireless connection doesn't work, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Next, check for an internet signal. You may need to reset your router to refresh the connection.
Adjust your display settings and troubleshoot the connection
When you project your laptop screen onto a TV, you can choose between two display modes: duplicate or extend.
In duplicate mode, the TV will display exactly what you see on your laptop. Use this setting when you want to see something on a larger display. For example, you might project a presentation or film onto your TV.
Extend mode turns your TV into an extra monitor, giving you more screen space. You can open additional apps or windows on the TV, while your laptop screen displays something else. This mode is especially useful for multitasking. For instance, you could pull up a spreadsheet on the TV while writing a report on your laptop. No more flipping between windows.
Having problems connecting your TV and laptop? Try these troubleshooting tips:
- If you're struggling to connect your laptop to the TV with HDMI, make sure you're using the right input setting.
- If your laptop and TV have multiple HDMI ports, try plugging the cable into a different one.
- Install any pending software updates for your laptop and TV.
- Reset your Wi-Fi connection.
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