How to Connect a Laptop to a TV

A simple connection stands between you and enjoying your favorite movie on the big screen or using a spare TV as a second monitor for work. Here are some tips for connecting your laptop to a TV using a cable or wireless connection.

Connecting to a TV with a cable

The most common connection type for modern televisions is the HDMI cable, a digital standard that carries both video and audio. The older HDMI 2.0b standard has enough bandwidth for 4K resolutions at 60Hz (with HDR signals), while newer HDMI 2.1 or better devices can do 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz (and beyond).

Many newer TVs are limited to HDMI inputs, having dropped the analog circuitry required for older media. Luckily, this type of output is common, as many laptops have a full-size HDMI output or a smaller micro-HDMI port instead.

Luckily, these connectors can be used with micro HDMI to HDMI adapters or cables that have both connector sizes.

If your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, you may need to use an adapter like a USB-C to HDMI instead. This is the case for many MacBook models, as Apple fully embraced dongles in favor of ports before stepping back with its 2021 MacBook Pro.

The other “common” connector of choice, traditionally used on televisions, is the VGA connector. This older analog connection was once the port of choice for computer monitors. Newer TVs don’t have this type of connection, and neither do newer laptops.

On an older TV, the VGA port is often referred to as the “PC” input. If you have a newer laptop with HDMI output, you can use an HDMI to VGA adapter instead, or purchase a USB-C multiport adapter with VGA.

Since VGA only transmits video, no sound is transmitted to the TV. There are very few reasons to use VGA over HDMI, so opt for HDMI whenever possible.

Hooking it up is relatively easy once you’ve chosen your cable type. Simply connect your cable to your laptop and plug the other end into the appropriate port on your TV.

With the laptop powered on, turn on the TV and use the remote control to switch to the correct input method (you’ll see this next to the port you used on the TV). You should see your desktop appear on the TV, although other settings may need to be changed before things work as expected.

Configure your display settings

Take a moment to configure your TV so that the resolution, orientation, and positioning are correct. On Windows, you can go to Start > Settings > System > Display to see your display listed and change the display’s resolution, orientation, and behavior under the Multiple Displays drop-down list.

If your TV isn’t listed and nothing shows up, click Detect and wait. Once you’ve identified your TV, you can adjust its positioning so that the display appears in the correct position when you move your mouse.

On a Mac, you can do the same in System Preferences (System Preferences) > Display > Display Preferences. Click on your TV as shown in the sidebar, then choose a resolution, refresh rate and toggle HDR mode if available.

You can reposition your ads by clicking and dragging under the default Ads settings panel.

Connect wirelessly to a TV

Wireless connections are more convenient as they do not require cables. However, they sometimes offer an unstable experience. Bandwidth is limited on wireless connections, so image quality and playback quality may suffer. Interference from nearby devices can also affect these connections.

On a Mac, you can use AirPlay to mirror your entire display to an AirPlay device like an Apple TV (the set-top box, not the streaming subscription). Many new televisions already support AirPlay without the need for an Apple TV.

To connect, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar at the top of your Mac’s screen and select “Screen Mirroring” followed by the device you want to mirror to.

The Chrome browser also lets you use a Chromecast with a Windows or macOS device to “cast” content from your laptop. This works with browser tabs, Chromecast-enabled websites, and Chromecast-enabled apps.

You can cast your entire Windows 11 desktop with a Chromecast, or stick to content like tabs and files instead.

Another option is to use Intel’s WiDi or the open Miracast standard. Support depends on which TV you have. Some models connect by adding the TV as a Bluetooth device (according to Samsung or Sony).

Microsoft has its own instructions for connecting to Miracast devices running Windows 10 and 11. The instructions include using the “Cast” option that appears under the network icon in the system tray.

Use DLNA/UPnP for video content

If you’re trying to watch video content on your TV with your laptop, there might be a better way to do it than using cables or wireless technologies like AirPlay or Miracast.

Streaming media over your local network using Digital Network Living Alliance (DLNA) or Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is easy and should work just fine as long as your network can handle the bandwidth.

To set this up, you’ll need to enable media streaming in Windows settings, or install an app like Plex or Universal Media Server instead. You can also use media players like Elmedia Player to “cast” to recipients of your choice.

Set up your “Server” and configure it to share specific folders, then access it on your TV over the network (often appears in the “Input” list). Most TVs with Wi-Fi from the last 15 years or so support this streaming method.

Disadvantages of using a TV with your laptop

TVs have the advantage of size compared to most monitors. They’re great for watching movies and playing games, and they’re great for when you’re sitting some distance away. If you have a spare TV you want to use, it’s a good idea to plug in your laptop and watch YouTube or run a few emulators.

However, there are some disadvantages. First of all, a television is rarely a suitable replacement for a monitor. Pixel density is much lower on TVs because the panels are larger and designed to be viewed from a greater distance. This means you’re more likely to see individual pixels if you’re sitting close.

Text rendering is also generally pretty poor on a TV compared to a monitor. This is due to the way subpixel layouts differ on TVs. Monitors are specially designed to make text look crisp.

There’s also the issue of size, as many TVs require larger stands that take up a lot of desk space. Unless you can wall mount it, a large monitor (such as an ultrawide) might be a better choice.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule (LG now produces a 42-inch C2 OLED that works well as a monitor). But if you do a lot of “monitoring” work, such as B. surfing the Internet or staring at spreadsheets, use a monitor instead.

Still want to buy a TV?

You should probably buy a monitor if your main concern is expanding your laptop to more than one display for productivity reasons. However, if you’re interested in a new TV for gaming, or are looking for something to watch movies and other content while occasionally plugging in your laptop, check out our TV buying guide.

When you’ve done that, take a look at our best TV picks, gaming TV picks, and budget TV picks to help you make an informed decision.