How to connect a TV to a computer via Wi-Fi: all methods and settings

Connecting your TV to your computer wirelessly via Wi-Fi opens up new possibilities: watching movies on a big screen wirelessly, streaming games from your PC, or using your TV as a second monitor. However, many users encounter compatibility issues, image lag, or setup difficulties. In this article, we'll explore these options. all current connection methods — from standard Miracast to specialized solutions like Steam Link, and we will also give recommendations on how to eliminate typical errors.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on your goals: for video broadcasting, DLNA, for games - Moonlight or Parsec, and for screen duplication - WiDi or AirPlay (for devices Apple). We tested each method on TVs. Samsung QLED 2023, LG OLED C2 And Xiaomi TV A2to ensure the instructions work. If your model is older than 2018, check the technical specifications for wireless support—some budget TVs may require an external adapter.

1. Preparation: What you need to connect via Wi-Fi

Before you begin setup, make sure your hardware meets the minimum requirements. Key criteria:

• 📺 TV must support at least one of the technologies: Miracast, DLNA, AirPlay 2 (For Apple) or have a built-in Google ChromecastCheck it out in the menu. Settings → Network → Wireless.
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 (For Miracast), macOS (For AirPlay) or with installed streaming software (for example, VLC For DLNA). Laptops with Intel Wi-Fi 6 and newer ones usually support all standards.
• 🌐 Router with frequency 5 GHz (recommended for 4K video transfer) and a speed of at least 300 MbpsIt's better to use for games. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or wired connection of the router to the PC.

If your TV does not support Miracast (valid for models before 2017), you can use external devices:

• 🔌 Google Chromecast 4K (~3,500 ₽) — for streaming via Google Home.
• 🎮 NVIDIA Shield TV (~12,000 ₽) — for games Moonlight and 4K HDR broadcasts.
• 🖥️ Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter (~5,000 ₽) — for screen mirroring Windows.

⚠️ Warning: If you use VPN on a computer, please disable it before setting it up - it may block the discovery of devices on the local network.

2. Method 1: Miracast (Wireless Screen Mirroring)

Miracast — a wireless image transmission standard built into Windows 10/11 and most modern TVs. It allows you to mirror your PC screen on your TV with minimal latency (up to 50 ms), but does not support audio in the format 5.1.

Instructions for Windows 11:

1. Activate the mode on your TV Miracast (usually on the menu Source → Screen Mirroring or Settings → Connect devices).
2. On PC, click Win + K, select your TV from the list. If the device is not displayed, update the adapter drivers. Wi-Fi through device Manager.
3. When connecting for the first time, you may be asked to enter a PIN code (displayed on the TV screen).

For Windows 10 the path is a little different: Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless displayIf the option is missing, then your adapter Wi-Fi does not support Miracast (check in Device Manager → Network Adapters → Properties → Advanced).

Make sure your TV and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Update your PC's Wi-Fi adapter drivers

Disable Windows Firewall during setup.

Reboot your router if the devices can't find each other-->

⚠️ Warning: On TVs Samsung 2020–2022 Miracast may be unstable due to a firmware error. Update the TV software via Settings → Support → Software Update.

3. Method 2: DLNA (media streaming)

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) lets you stream videos, music, and photos from your computer to your TV without screen mirroring. The main advantage is support by most TVs (including older models) and zero lag.

Setting up on Windows:

1. Turn on DLNA on TV: Settings → Network → DLNA/UPnP (on LG this can be called SmartShare).
2. On your PC, open Settings → Network & Internet → Sharing options and turn it on network discovery.
3. Install a media server, e.g. Plex or Kodi, or use the built-in Windows Media Player (turns on through Stream → Allow remote access).
4. On your TV, select your PC as a signal source – a list of available files will appear.

For macOS free software will do MiniDLNA or Plex Media Server. Note that DLNA does not support DRM-protected files (for example, from Netflix or Apple TV+).

What formats does DLNA support?

Most TVs play via DLNA:

🎬 Video: MP4 (H.264), MKV (up to 1080p), AVI, MOV (limited)

🎵 Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC (not all models)

🖼️ Images: JPEG, PNG, BMP

4K and HDR are generally NOT supported. For these, it's best to use Plex or an external player.

If the files do not play, check:

• 🔄 Codecs on the TV (on Sony Bravia (may require installation of additional packages).
• 📂 Access rights to folders on PC (open Folder Options → Access → Share).
• 🔌 Network speed (for Full HD you need at least 15 Mbps).

4. Method 3: Steam Link (streaming games from PC to TV)

If you want to play on the big screen without a console, Steam Link — one of the best solutions. The technology allows you to stream games from your computer to your TV via a local network with a delay of 10 ms (under ideal conditions).

Requirements:

• 💻 Computer with Steam and a video card NVIDIA (from GTX 1050) or AMD (from RX 460).
• 📺 TV with Android TV (For example, Sony X90J) or prefix (NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box).
• 🌐 Router with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or higher, connected to a PC via cable.

Step-by-step setup:

1. Install the application Steam Link on TV from Google Play Store (For Android TV) or App Store (For Apple TV).
2. On PC in Steam go to Settings → Remote Play → Enable Remote Play.
3. Connect the gamepad to your TV (for example, Xbox Controller or DualSense).
4. Launch Steam Link on TV, select your PC and start broadcasting.

To reduce latency:

• 🔌 Connect your PC to the router via cable (even if the TV is on Wi-Fi).
• 📶 In the settings Steam Link select Speed ​​priority and limit the bitrate to 20 Mbps (if the router does not support Wi-Fi 6).
• ⚙️ In Steam Disable it on your PC Enable hardware encoding, if artifacts are observed.

⚠️ Warning: On TVs Samsung Tizen (without Android TV) Steam Link doesn't work. Alternative - Moonlight (requires a video card) NVIDIA and setting GeForce Experience).

5. Method 4: AirPlay (for Apple devices)

If you have Mac or iPhone, and the TV supports AirPlay 2 (For example, LG OLED or Samsung QLED 2020+), you can broadcast your screen without any additional programs.

How to connect:

1. Make sure that and Mac, and the TV are connected to the same network Wi-Fi.
2. Turn on the TV AirPlay on the menu Settings → General → AirPlay and HomeKit.
3. On Mac open Control Center → Screen Mirroring and select your TV.
4. To broadcast only video (without screen mirroring), use QuickTime Player: File → New Video → Arrow next to the Record button → Your TV.

Peculiarities AirPlay 2:

• 🎵 Supports sound Dolby Atmos (on compatible TVs).
• 📱 You can broadcast not only from Mac, but also with iPhone/iPad.
• 🔒 Traffic encryption (more secure than Miracast).

If your TV does not appear in the list of devices:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and both devices.
• 🔒 In the settings AirPlay Turn off the option on TV Code required.
• 📡 Check that the network is operating within range 5 GHz (AirPlay doesn't work well on 2.4 GHz).

6. Method 5: Streaming apps (Plex, Kodi, VLC)

If built-in methods aren't suitable, you can use third-party apps. They offer more flexible settings and support more formats.

The only way to stream 4K HDR without losing quality is to use Plex with a Plex Pass subscription (₽4.99/month) or Kodi with an external player (such as MX Player on Android TV).

Setting up Plex:

1. Install Plex Media Server on PC (official website).
2. Add folders containing media files to the library.
3. Install Plex on TV (available in LG Content Store, Google Play For Android TV).
4. Log in to one account on both devices.

For Kodi:

1. Install on PC Kodi and turn it on Settings → Services → UPnP/DLNA → Allow remote access.
2. On TV in Kodi go to Files → Add Source → Browse → UPnP Devices.
3. Select your computer and add folders to favorites.

7. Troubleshooting: Why the connection isn't working

If your TV doesn't detect your computer or the broadcast is interrupted, check the following:

• 🔌 Net: Both devices must be on the same subnet (for example, 192.168.1.x). Check through ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS).
• 🔒 Firewall: temporarily disable it or add exceptions for applications (Steam, Plex etc.).
• 📡 Wi-Fi channel: If the router is running on an automatic channel, set it manually 36–48 (For 5 GHz) - this will reduce interference.
• 🔄 Firmware: update your TV software and drivers Wi-Fi adapter on PC.

Typical errors and their causes:

• 🚫 Failed to connect to the device (Miracast) → Incompatible codecs or old version Windows (update to 22H2).
• 🚫 No sound (DLNA) → In TV settings, select PCM instead of Auto in the sound menu.
• 🚫 Lag in games (Steam Link) → Turn on Hardware encoding in the settings Steam (required) NVIDIA NVENC or AMD AMF).
• 🚫 The video is lagging (Plex) → Reduce the bitrate in the transcoding settings or use Direct Play.

⚠️ Warning: On TVs Xiaomi with firmware below MIUI TV 3.0 support may be lacking Miracast For Windows 11Please update your software or use Google Chromecast.

8. Alternative options: if Wi-Fi isn't suitable

If your wireless connection is unstable, consider alternatives:

• 🔌 HDMI cable: The most reliable method for 4K/120Hz, but requires a physical connection.
• 📶 Powerline adapters: signal transmission through electrical wiring (speed up to 1 Gbps, delay ~5 ms).
• 🎮 Prefixes: NVIDIA Shield or Apple TV 4K support all modern streaming protocols.
• 🖥️ USB-C/Thunderbolt: for laptops with USB-C Alt Mode (For example, MacBook Pro) - you can connect the TV directly with a cable.

Comparison of methods by key parameters:

If you need maximum quality without delays, the best choice is HDMI 2.1 or ThunderboltFor convenience (for example, for presentations) it is suitable Miracast, and for the media library - Plex.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect a TV to a computer via Wi-Fi without a router?

Yes, but only if both devices support it. Wi-Fi DirectOn . Windows this is called Host network (configured via command line: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow). However, the speed will be lower and the latency will be higher than when using a router.

On Android TV You can create a hotspot on your phone and connect your PC and TV to it, but this is an unstable solution for streaming.

Why is there no sound when connecting via Miracast?

The problem is usually related to the sound settings in Windows:

1. Click Win + X → Control Panel → Sound.
2. Find the device with the name of your TV (for example, Samsung-XX:XX).
3. Click By default and apply the settings.

If there is no sound on Samsung, check in the TV menu: Settings → Sound → Sound Output → HDMI (select PCM).

How to stream your PC screen to TV in 4K?

To stream 4K over Wi-Fi:

• Use Steam Link or Moonlight (required) NVIDIA GPU).
• The router must support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and channel width 160 MHz.
• On PC in settings Steam select 4K@60Hz and turn it off Bitrate limitation.

For Miracast 4K is not supported - maximum resolution 1920×1080.

Is it possible to play online games (CS2, Fortnite) via streaming?

Technically yes, but with some caveats:

• 🎮 Steam Link/Moonlight: delay ~15–30 ms (under ideal conditions). Suitable for single-player games, but not for eSports.
• 🌐 Parsec: optimized for online gaming (latency ~10 ms), but requires a powerful PC and stable Internet.
• ⚠️ Miracast/AirPlay: delay 50+ ms - not suitable for shooters.

For competitive games it is better to use Parsec with a wired connection of the PC to the router.

How to connect an old TV (without Smart TV) to a computer?

Options:

• 📦 Android set-top box: Xiaomi Mi Box S (~3,000 ₽) or Amazon Fire Stick (~2,500 ₽). Connects to HDMI and adds Wi-Fi.
• 🔌 Adapter: Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter (~5,000 ₽) for Miracast or Google Chromecast (~3,500 ₽) for streaming.
• 🖥️ Wired converter: HDMI over Wi-Fi (For example, IOGEAR GWHDKIT), but there will be a delay ~100 ms.

For TVs without HDMI (only VGA/Composite) you will need an additional converter, but the quality will be low.