How do I connect my laptop to a TV screen?

Not sure which method is right for your setup? We work out the simplest option for your TV and laptop during a visit. Give us a call.

Pick the method that suits you

• HDMI cable (most reliable)

  Still the easiest option and works with any TV made in the last 15 years. Get a standard HDMI cable (about $15, any length up to 3 metres is fine). Plug one end into the back of the TV (any HDMI port) and the other end into the HDMI port on your laptop. Press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and pick the HDMI number where you plugged in (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Your laptop screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds. If it does not, press the Windows key + P (Windows) or go to System Settings, Displays (Mac) and choose Duplicate or Extend.

• Chromecast (wireless, most laptops)

  A small stick that plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your TV and connects to your home Wi-Fi. From your laptop, open Chrome, click the three dots in the top-right, and choose Cast. Pick your Chromecast from the list. Your laptop screen appears on the TV over Wi-Fi. Chromecasts cost about $50 and are the best choice if your TV is older and does not have built-in wireless mirroring. They also work with Netflix, YouTube and most streaming apps without using your laptop at all.

• AirPlay (wireless, Mac only)

  If you have a Mac and a modern TV (Samsung, LG or Sony from about 2019 onwards, or an Apple TV box), AirPlay works beautifully. Open Control Centre on your Mac (click the icon in the top-right of the screen), click Screen Mirroring, and pick your TV from the list. It just works. AirPlay is usually smoother than Chromecast for Mac users because it is built into the operating system.

• Built-in screen mirroring on smart TVs

  Newer Samsung, LG and Sony TVs have built-in screen mirroring that does not need any extra hardware. On Windows, press Windows key + K to open the Cast panel and pick your TV. On Android, swipe down from the top and tap Cast. It is not always reliable and the first connection can be fussy, but when it works it is free and needs nothing extra. Worth trying before spending money on a Chromecast.

A few small tips

If the picture on the TV looks squashed or has black bars on the sides, your laptop and TV are using different resolutions. Press the Windows key + P and choose Duplicate (which makes both screens match) or Extend (which lets you use the TV as a second, separate desktop). On Mac, open System Settings, Displays, and adjust from there.

For sound, most HDMI cables carry audio along with video. If the sound is still coming from your laptop speakers instead of the TV, click the volume icon in the system tray and pick the TV as the audio output. On Mac, go to System Settings, Sound, Output.

When to call us instead

Call us if your laptop has no HDMI port and you are not sure what cable or adapter you need, if the TV is refusing to pick up the signal even with a fresh cable, or if you would rather have someone set it up properly as part of a bigger TV or computer setup. This is a common request we handle as part of our TV setup service and tech tutoring visits across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa.