If you ’re using a laptop ] on a day-to-day basis , you ’ll know how wearing it can get to stare at a 13 - in screenland for hours on remnant . This is why it ’s outstanding that most modern computers can be connected to a television . Not only does this give you a larger display to solve with , but you ’ll still be able to use your laptop as you usually would . So no saying goodbye to those handy trackpad gestures !
Cheap notebooks andthe undecomposed laptopsaround can all be link to your TV , but we believe the most reliable method is using an HDMI cable . But rest assured : we ’ll be cover wireless connectivity , too !
How to connect your laptop to a TV with an HDMI cable
The most straightforward manner to touch base a laptop to a television is via anHDMI cable . This is a cable plan for transmitting digital sound recording and video from one seed ( like your computing machine ) to a projector , monitor , or — in this grammatical case — TV screen . Here ’s how to set it up :
Step 1 : First , locate your laptop ’s HDMI port . This is usually on the back or side of the laptop computer .
If your computer does n’t have a full - sized HDMI , it may still have a mini- or micro - HDMI , which you could plug into using a convertor . Many mod laptops have USB - C , Thunderbolt , DisplayPort , or Mini DisplayPort , all of which can be rob up using an HDMI adapter .
If your laptop computer does n’t have an HDMI port , you could employ a video graphics regalia ( VGA ) connecter . However , take down that a VGA cable television only transmits picture , so you ’ll also need to plug in your laptop to your tv set via an audio cable television .
Step 2 : Once your HDMI cable’s length is link up to your laptop , plug in the other remainder to your telly ’s HDMI input signal . You ’ll usually find the connector on the back . If you have a very slim tv set , it might be on the side . The exact positioning may alter bet on the machine .
If you ca n’t locate the HDMI vena portae , determine your TV ’s user manual for a quick refresher .
Step 3 : Sometimes , the TV and laptop will automatically talk and start displaying content on the silver screen . If not , you ’ll need to change the TV ’s input manually .
To do this , turn the television receiver on and use the remote controller to shift the TV ’s source to the numbered HDMI port you plug into .
The step for adjusting your TV ’s show options depend on the twist , so check your manual if you do n’t get laid how to do it .
Step 4 : In addition to go under the appropriate seed on your TV , you also postulate to set the relevant output on your laptop computer . If you have a Windows PC , press the Windows key and “ P”to launch the presentation configurations .
On a Mac , click theApple iconat the top left hand of the screen , System preferences , and thenDisplays .
How to wirelessly connect your laptop to a TV
If you do n’t want to distribute with the welter of cable television that comes with an HDMI connection , you might be able-bodied to coiffe up a wireless link for your laptop , just as you mightbetween your smartphone or tablet and a TV .
The exact process will count on whether you have an Apple MacBook , Windows PC , or Chromebook .
How to wirelessly connect to a TV using AirPlay on an Apple computer
If you have an Apple figurer andan Apple TV box , setting up screenland mirroring to your TV is easy .
Step 1 : First , ensure both devices are using the same Wi - Fi connection .
Step 2 : Then , go to the display context : Under the Apple carte , clickSystem Settingsand thenDisplaysand count forAirPlay Display .
footstep 3 : Whether you ’re launching fromSystem Settingsor your computer menu bar , select the Apple TV from the dropdown list . Your screen will be mirrored or extended to your TV , depending on your option .
Step 4 : What if you do n’t have an Apple television receiver ? Do n’t stress . Many New smart idiot box are Apple AirPlay compatible . When you open your Display preferences , you may see your TV listed . you’re able to always check the scene of your TV to see if AirPlay take to be enable .
How to wirelessly connect to a TV using a Windows computer
you may also set up a wireless display between your laptop computer and your TV if you have a PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11 . Your laptop simply need to patronage screen mirroring .
Further , for this to work , you need a bright TV that can join to Wi - Fi and sustain filmdom mirroring . If you are n’t sure whether your machine indorse concealment mirroring , check the manual of arms .
footmark 1 : check that both devices are on the same Wi - Fi meshing .
Step 2 : Then , use the remote control to select screen mirroring on your TV . You should get a lean of sources . You just have to add your telly to your laptop ’s approved devices .
To do this , go to preferences , Connected DevicesandAdd machine . take your TV from the drop - down bill of fare . The laptop will then mirror to the TV .
How to connect a laptop to a soundbar or AV receiver
The best SoundbarsandAV receiverscontain all variety of ports , with HDMI , USB , and Bluetooth being some of the more common connections . Your best wager for getting TV and audio through your soundbar or AV receiver is via HDMI .
The USB ports you ’ll happen on soundbars and AV receivers are typically used for devices like international hard cause and USB news bulletin drive . While you may be able-bodied to get audio from your laptop to a soundbar / AV receiver via USB , video is likely out of the motion picture ( literally ) .
As far as wire - free screen mirroring go , your soundbar or AV receiver is run short to need to support some form of wireless communications protocol for the handshake to work . Apple AirPlay is one of the more popular wireless mirroring methods for Apple buff . If the soundbar / AV receiver does n’t natively support AirPlay , you could always endow in a swarm twist ( like the Apple TV 4 K or Roku Ultra ) to use this feature .
At the end of the 24-hour interval , if all you care about is euphony , radio , and podcasts , you could connect your laptop to your soundbar or Ab receiver ’s Bluetooth input . Just be sure to keep your PC within 35 feet of your Ab devices .
How to troubleshoot video output issues
If you have your laptop computer connected to your TV via HDMI or wirelessly , but you ’re not get motion-picture show , effectual , or both , there ’s a few things you may do to troubleshoot the progeny .
For starters , you should check that your Windows or Mac ’s OS is completely up to date . We ca n’t say you how many handshake yield can be avoid with just this unproblematic pace .
If you ’re still not getting image or sound , you may want to incapacitate your TV ’s HDMI - CEC controls . While this is normally an automatise feature that you should n’t have to worry about , it can sometimes wreak havoc on equipment A to equipment B complex handshakes .
Still no full ? If you ’re using a USB - C or DisplayPort adapter , or some other kind of third - party dongle , you should check to check that this accessory is really compatible with your PC . There also might be driver you could download and instal for the adapter or screen mirroring gadget .
In some cases , you might regain that your laptop and TV just are n’t compatible . If this happens , you could considerbuying a worthy new television . In the meantime , give your laptop display a cleanand keep using it .
