How-To
How to Connect a Laptop to a TV
Most laptops and TVs made in the last decade connect with one HDMI cable and one button on the remote. This guide covers that path first, then USB-C, older ports, wireless casting, and the three problems that account for almost every failed attempt.
On this page
Check which ports you haveConnect with HDMIConnect with USB-CConnect wirelesslyFix the three usual problemsUsing the TV as a second monitor for workCommon questionsCheck which ports you have
Look at the sides and back of the laptop. A full-size HDMI port is a flat trapezoid about 14 mm wide. A USB-C port is a small rounded oval; on most laptops made after 2018 it can carry video, but not on all of them, so check for a small lightning-bolt or display symbol beside it or look up the model. Older laptops may have a blue VGA port (15 pins, two screws), a white DVI port, or a Mini DisplayPort. On the TV, look for inputs labelled HDMI 1, HDMI 2 and so on. One of them may be marked ARC or eARC; that one works fine for a laptop too.
| Laptop port | TV port | What you need | Carries sound? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | HDMI | One HDMI cable | Yes |
| USB-C (with video) | HDMI | USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable | Yes |
| Mini DisplayPort | HDMI | Mini DP to HDMI adapter | Usually |
| VGA | HDMI | VGA to HDMI converter with USB power | No, add a 3.5 mm audio cable |
| VGA | VGA (older TVs) | VGA cable | No, add a 3.5 mm audio cable |
| No port | HDMI | USB-A display adapter or wireless casting | Yes |
Connect with HDMI
Turn both devices on first
Connecting while both are already on avoids the older handshake problems where a TV would not detect a laptop that was plugged in before it booted.
Plug in the cable at both ends
Push firmly. A loose HDMI plug is the most common cause of a picture that flickers or drops out.
Select the input on the TV
Press Input or Source on the remote and pick the HDMI number you used. Most TVs also show the input name on screen for a few seconds when a signal appears.
Tell the laptop what to do with the screen
On Windows press Windows + P and choose Duplicate (same picture on both) or Extend (TV becomes a second desktop). On a Mac open System Settings, Displays, and choose Mirror or Extend. On most Linux desktops the display settings panel opens automatically when a screen is plugged in.
Set the resolution
If text looks soft, open the display settings and set the TV to its native resolution, usually 1920 x 1080 or 3840 x 2160. Choose a refresh rate of 60 Hz unless you know the TV supports more.
Connect with USB-C
A USB-C to HDMI cable is the simplest option if your laptop supports video over USB-C (the feature is called DisplayPort Alternate Mode). Plug the USB-C end into the laptop and the HDMI end into the TV; everything else is the same as above. If the TV shows no signal, try a different USB-C port on the laptop, because on many models only one side carries video. A small USB-C hub with an HDMI output does the same job and adds charging and USB ports.
Connect wirelessly
Windows laptops can send the screen to a TV that supports Miracast (many smart TVs do, and any TV with a streaming stick that supports it). Press Windows + K and pick the TV from the list. Macs use AirPlay to an Apple TV or to TVs that have AirPlay built in: click the screen mirroring icon in Control Centre. Chrome and Edge can cast a browser tab or the whole desktop to a Chromecast-equipped TV from the browser menu. Wireless works well for slides and video and poorly for anything that needs low lag, such as games.
Windows: Settings, System, Display, then Multiple displays. Mac: System Settings, Displays. Sound output: Windows taskbar speaker icon, then pick the TV name; Mac: System Settings, Sound, Output.
Fix the three usual problems
- Picture but no sound. The laptop is still playing audio through its own speakers. Open the sound settings and choose the TV (it appears under its brand name or as a digital output). On Windows right-click the speaker icon and choose Sound settings; on a Mac use the Output tab.
- Black border or the edges are cut off. The TV is applying overscan. In the TV picture menu look for a setting called Just Scan, Screen Fit, 1:1 or Full Pixel and turn it on. If the TV has no such option, reduce the laptop resolution scaling slightly.
- No signal at all. Try the cable in another HDMI input, reseat both ends, and on Windows press Windows + P once more and choose Duplicate. If you are using an adapter, confirm the laptop port supports video; many USB-C ports are data and charging only.
Using the TV as a second monitor for work
A TV makes a decent second screen for spreadsheets and video calls if you sit far enough away. Set Extend rather than Duplicate, drag windows to the TV, and in the display settings arrange the two screens so the mouse crosses over in the direction the TV actually sits. Turn on the TV's game or PC mode if it has one; it removes most of the picture processing and cuts the delay between mouse and cursor to a level you will not notice.
Common questions
Do I need a special HDMI cable for 4K?
Any cable marked High Speed or Premium High Speed handles 4K at 60 Hz over normal room lengths. You only need Ultra High Speed cables for 4K at 120 Hz or 8K.
Why does my laptop screen go black when I connect the TV?
Windows or macOS has chosen Second screen only. Press Windows + P and pick Duplicate or Extend, or on a Mac turn off mirroring and drag the display arrangement back.
Can I close the laptop lid and keep using the TV?
Yes. On Windows go to Power options and set Close lid to Do nothing while plugged in. On a Mac this works when the laptop is on power and an external keyboard or mouse is connected.
Why is the picture stretched or squashed?
The TV is set to a zoom or 16:9 stretch mode. Set the picture size to Normal, Auto or Just Scan, and set the laptop resolution to the TV's native resolution.
Is there lag when I play games on the TV?
There is always some. A wired HDMI connection with the TV in game mode keeps it to a few frames. Wireless casting adds a noticeable delay and is not suitable for games.