How to Connect Your PC to Your TV

The simplest way depends on what's in your TV and PC

You can connect a PC to a TV using a cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C), wirelessly through your home network (Miracast or Chromecast), or by mirroring your screen. The fastest route is usually an HDMI cable plugged directly into both devices — most modern TVs and PCs have an HDMI port, the connection is instant, and there's nothing to configure. Wireless options are slower to set up the first time but let you move around the room without a cable.

Before you choose, check what ports your TV and PC actually have. Look at the back and sides of both devices. Common ports are HDMI (a flat rectangular slot), DisplayPort (smaller and rectangular), USB-C (small oval), or older VGA (blue with three holes). If your TV and PC share a port type, a cable is your fastest option. If they don't, you'll need an adapter or a wireless method.

Key Takeaways

HDMI cable is the fastest and most reliable method if both your TV and PC have an HDMI port, with no setup required beyond plugging it in.
Wireless methods like Miracast (built into Windows) or Chromecast (if your TV has it) work without cables but take longer to connect and may lag during gaming or video.
Check your TV's input source after connecting — most TVs don't automatically switch to the PC input and you'll need to select it with the remote.
If your PC and TV don't share a port type, adapters exist for most combinations, but a wireless method is often simpler than buying and troubleshooting an adapter.

Connecting with an HDMI cable

HDMI is the standard connection for most TVs and PCs built in the last ten years. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back of your PC and the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. Most TVs have two or three HDMI ports labeled on the back.

Once both ends are plugged in, pick up your TV remote and look for a button labeled "Input," "Source," or "HDMI." Press it and you'll see a list of inputs — select the HDMI port you just used. Your PC screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds. If it doesn't, right-click on your Windows desktop, select "Display settings," and look for an option to detect or connect to a display.

HDMI cables are cheap (under $10 for a standard one) and work instantly without any software or network setup. The downside is you're tethered to the TV by the cable length, usually 6 to 10 feet. If you want to use your PC from across the room, a wireless method is better.

Using Miracast to mirror your screen wirelessly

Miracast is a wireless standard built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It lets you send your PC screen to any TV that supports Miracast — most smart TVs made after 2015 do, though you may need to turn it on in the TV's settings first. Check your TV's manual or settings menu for "Miracast," "Screen Mirroring," or "Wireless Display."

On your PC, press the Windows key and the K key at the same time. A panel will open on the right side of your screen showing nearby Miracast devices. Select your TV from the list. Windows will ask you to confirm on the TV itself — use your remote to accept. Your PC screen should appear on the TV within 10 to 20 seconds.

Miracast works over your home Wi-Fi network and has no cable, so you can move around freely. The tradeoff is that it's slower than HDMI — there's usually a half-second to one-second delay between what you do on the PC and what appears on the TV. This lag is noticeable during gaming or fast video playback, but fine for watching videos, browsing, or presentations.

Connecting through Chromecast or similar devices

If your TV has Chromecast built in (many newer smart TVs do), you can cast your PC screen to it. On your PC, open Google Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, select "Cast," and choose your TV from the list. Your screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

Chromecast works similarly to Miracast — it's wireless, requires your PC and TV on the same Wi-Fi network, and has a slight delay. The advantage is that Chromecast is often more stable than Miracast, especially if your TV is far from your router. The disadvantage is you need Chrome open to use it, whereas Miracast mirrors your entire desktop.

If your TV doesn't have Chromecast built in, you can buy a separate Chromecast device (a small stick that plugs into an HDMI port) for $30 to $50. It works the same way as built-in Chromecast and is useful if you want to add wireless casting to an older TV.

What to do if your PC and TV don't have matching ports

If your PC has USB-C or DisplayPort but your TV only has HDMI, you'll need an adapter. USB-C to HDMI adapters and DisplayPort to HDMI adapters both exist and cost $15 to $40. Plug the adapter into your PC's port, then plug an HDMI cable into the adapter and into your TV. It works the same as a direct HDMI connection.

Adapters are reliable, but make sure you buy the right type — a USB-C to HDMI adapter won't work in a DisplayPort. Check your PC's port carefully before ordering. If you're unsure, a wireless method like Miracast or Chromecast sidesteps the adapter question entirely.

Older PCs with only VGA ports (the blue connector with three holes) can connect to TVs with HDMI using a VGA to HDMI adapter, but these are less common now and sometimes require a separate audio cable because VGA doesn't carry sound. If your PC is that old, wireless casting may be simpler if your TV supports it.

Adjusting display settings after you connect

Once your PC is connected to your TV, you may want to change how the screen displays. Right-click on your Windows desktop and select "Display settings." You'll see options to extend your display (use the TV as a second monitor), duplicate it (show the same thing on both), or use only the TV.

For watching videos or presentations, "Duplicate" is usually best — your PC screen and TV show the same thing. For working with multiple windows, "Extend" is useful — you can drag windows between your PC monitor and the TV. If you want to use only the TV and turn off your PC monitor, select "Use only display 2" (or whatever number your TV is listed as).

You can also adjust the resolution and refresh rate in Display settings. Most TVs work fine at the default settings, but if the image looks blurry or the text is hard to read, try lowering the resolution or changing the refresh rate. Experiment until it looks right.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your TV doesn't show your PC screen after connecting, first check that you selected the correct HDMI input on the TV remote. Many people plug in the cable but forget this step. If the TV is on the right input and still shows nothing, try unplugging the cable and plugging it back in, then wait 10 seconds.

For wireless connections, make sure both your PC and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If Miracast isn't finding your TV, restart both devices and try again. If Chromecast isn't working, close Chrome completely and reopen it, then try casting again.

If the image appears but looks stretched, blurry, or has black bars on the sides, go to Display settings and try a different resolution. If the connection keeps dropping, move your PC and TV closer together or move your Wi-Fi router closer to both — wireless connections are weaker at distance or through walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special cable or will any HDMI cable work?

Any standard HDMI cable works. You don't need an expensive "high-speed" or "premium" cable — a basic $5 HDMI cable from any electronics store will work just as well. The only exception is if you're using an older TV with HDMI 1.4 and want to play 4K video, in which case an HDMI 2.0 cable is better, but this is rare.

Can I use my PC and TV at the same time, or does connecting them turn off my monitor?

You can use both at the same time. In Display settings, choose "Extend" to use your TV as a second monitor. Your PC monitor stays on and you can move windows between them. Choose "Duplicate" if you want both screens to show the same thing, or "Use only display 2" if you want to turn off your PC monitor and use only the TV.

Why is my wireless connection so slow or laggy?

Wireless casting (Miracast and Chromecast) always has a slight delay compared to HDMI cable because data has to travel over Wi-Fi. If the lag is severe, try moving your PC and TV closer to your router, or use an HDMI cable instead. Wireless works fine for video and browsing but is not ideal for gaming.

What if my TV doesn't have Miracast or Chromecast?

Check your TV's manual or settings menu — many older smart TVs have Miracast or Chromecast but it's turned off by default. If your TV truly doesn't support wireless casting, an HDMI cable is your best option. You can also buy a Chromecast device separately and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV.

Do I need to install any software on my PC to connect it to my TV?

No. HDMI and Miracast are built into Windows and require no software. Chromecast requires Google Chrome to be open, but Chrome is free and most people already have it. No drivers or special programs are needed for any of these methods.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.