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How to connect your laptop to a TV
A laptop, PC or MacBook with plenty of hard-drive space is perfect for storing your photos and videos – but when viewing them, you can't beat a big, high-resolution TV screen. We'll show you how to connect them.
Almost every TV has wi-fi, which makes connecting a laptop easy. Even if your TV isn't as smart as the latest sets, connecting your laptop with a HDMI cable is simple, too.
As well as displaying content on your hard drive, your TV effectively becomes a monitor once a laptop is connected. You could browse the internet, play games and use software on a bigger screen.
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How to connect a laptop to your TV wirelessly
Unless you have an older TV, you should be able to cast content to it from a Windows laptop or PC once they're on the same network. You can also use your TV as a display so your entire desktop appears on your TV, rather than just specific pieces of content.
How to cast from a Windows 11 laptop to a TV
Casting is when you wirelessly send a piece of content, usually an image, video or audio file, to display on another device.
- Right-click the content you want to cast.
- Select Cast to device from the menu.
- Select your TV from the options. You might see some other devices here too, such as games consoles, Blu-ray players and other computers.
Some file types won't be supported by your TV and you'll see an error message on your computer screen if that's the case.
How to display a Windows 11 laptop on a TV with screen mirroring
Unlike casting which displays once piece of content, screen mirroring or using your TV screen as a monitor allows you to display whatever's on your laptop screen on your TV. It goes by a few names, but if you see screen mirroring, Miracast or Chromecast then you're on the right track. Some TV brands also have their own bespoke software, but they should be recognised by your laptop or PC.
- Press Windows + I on your keyboard and you'll get the settings menu. Then select Devices from the menu, followed by Bluetooth & other devices.
- Next, select Add Device followed by Wireless Display or Dock.
- Now you'll see a list of devices your PC can connect to, one of which should be your smart TV. Select it and you'll start seeing your PC on your TV screen.
Older TVs may not have software that supports being used as a second screen for your PC or laptop. If that's the case, you should check your TV's app store for screen mirroring apps.
You'll have the option to duplicate (mirror) the screen onto your TV, or use it as a second screen.
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How to connect a Windows 10 laptop to a TV with screen mirroring
- Right-click the bottom-right corner of your screen and select Open action centre.
- In the action centre, select the box labelled Connect.
- The computer will search for wireless displays. Look for one that matches the brand and model number of your TV.
- Select your TV, once the computer has found it.
- The computer or TV may ask for a Pin to complete the connection. It will be displayed on one device and you'll need to enter it into the other.
Your TV should now display what's on your laptop screen. You can choose whether you want the TV to duplicate the screen (mirroring), or extend the display if you want to carry on using your laptop screen as well.
How to connect a MacBook to your TV wirelessly with Apple AirPlay
Apple uses AirPlay to link devices together to stream media from MacBooks. To get your MacBook screen to display on your TV wirelessly, you'll also need an Apple TV device or a TV with Apple AirPlay 1 or Apple AirPlay 2.
- Click the AirPlay icon on the MacBook's menu bar.
- Select the Apple TV or TV you want to connect to from the dropdown menu.
- Select the Apple TV input on your TV to start displaying your MacBook's screen.
- Once connected, you can select either Mirror Built-in Display, which will set the resolution to the same as your MacBook; Mirror Apple TV, which use your TV's maximum resolution; or Use As Separate Display if you want to carry on using your MacBook screen and use the TV as an extra display.
Apple TVs aren't cheap (the latest model is £149), but you can achieve the same result with a £30 Chromecast. The connection process is the same as with a Windows laptop (see below).
How to connect your laptop or MacBook to your TV with HDMI
If your TV doesn't support wireless screen mirroring, you can still connect your laptop or MacBook the old-fashioned way.
How you do it will depend on the ports on your TV and laptop. Ideally, use an HDMI cable. This transmits both video and sound, which is handy if you're watching a video or want to listen to music through your TV.
Some older laptops don't have HDMI outputs. If yours doesn't, look for a VGA port instead. Unfortunately, VGA only transmits video, and newer TVs don't have VGA inputs.
Some thinner laptops don't have HDMI outputs either, but most will have a USB port. You can buy adapters for USB ports to allow you to connect HDMI leads. These are widely available from Amazon and ebay, and you don't need to spend a fortune, just make sure the adapter supports the resolution of your laptop and your TV.
How to connect a laptop or MacBook to your TV with a Chromecast
If your TV doesn't support casting or screen mirroring, you can link it to your laptop with a Google Chromecast plugged into one of your TV's HDMI inputs. Unfortunately, Google has discontinued the Chromecast, but you can still get your hands on them in the second-hand market.
You'll need to have the free Google Chrome browser installed on your computer for this to work.
- Open the Chrome browser and click the three-dot icon. You'll find it just below the X you use to close the window.
- Select Cast... from the dropdown menu.
- A separate box will pop up and start searching for your Chromecast.
- While it's searching, click the Cast to dropdown menu and select Cast tab to display your current Chrome tab, or Cast desktop to mirror your computer screen on your TV.
- Click the Chromecast you want to connect and you'll see your laptop display on your TV.
How to connect a Chromebook to your TV wirelessly
A Chromebook is a Google-powered laptop and it's easy to connect one to your TV wirelessly.
That is, as long as your TV has Chromecast (Google's streaming technology) built-in. Many TVs do and you can easily check.
- Open the Quick Settings menu by clicking the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Click Cast from the menu.
- Your Chromebook will then detect any TVs you have with Chromecast tech built in.
- Select your TV from the list and you'll see your Chromebook screen on your TV.
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