How to Play PC Games on Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Gaming on a big screen offers a whole new level of immersion: detailed textures, realistic effects, and comfortable controls from the comfort of your couch. But what if your TV doesn't support modern games, and you don't want to buy a console or a powerful PC for your living room? The solution is simple: Stream a game from your computer to your TV wirelesslyThis method saves money, does not require purchasing additional hardware and works even on weak Smart TV.

However, there are some pitfalls here: input lag, FPS drops, and possible image artifacts. All of these problems are solvable—you just need to choose the right streaming method and configure your network. In this article, we'll cover three proven methods game streaming (with a comparison of latency and requirements), we'll optimize Wi-Fi for minimal lag, and learn how to avoid common errors. And if you have an older TV without Smart TV — we'll show you how to connect via external devices.

1. What are the computer and network requirements for game streaming?

Before setting up, check if your equipment can handle the stream without any lag. The main parameters are: processor, graphics card, and Wi-Fi bandwidth.

Minimum PC requirements:

• 🖥️ CPU: Intel Core i5 (4th generation and newer) or AMD Ryzen 5. For 4K streaming you need i7/Ryzen 7.
• 🎮 Video card: NVIDIA GTX 1060/AMD RX 580 or more powerful. For NVIDIA support is required NVENC (GPU-level video encoding).
• 🧠 RAM: 8 GB for 1080p, 16 GB for 4K.
• 📡 Wi-Fi: router with support 802.11ac (5 GHz) or Wi-Fi 6Connection speed is not less than 30 Mbps for 1080p@60fps.

If your router is older than 5 years or operates at a frequency 2.4 GHz, input lag will be noticeable (from 50 ms). For comfortable gaming over Wi-Fi:

• 🔄 Use 5 GHz (less interference, higher speed).
• 📶 Place the router and PC/TV within 5 meters without obstacles (walls and furniture impair the signal).
• 🔌 Connect your PC to the router via cable (if possible) - this will reduce lags to 10-20 ms.

⚠️ Attention: If you have a router from a provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), check if it supports 5 GHzMany budget models only work on 2.4 GHz, which is not suitable for game streaming.

2. Method 1: Steam Link – Easy Streaming for Steam Games

Steam Link - official decision from Valve, which allows you to stream games from your library Steam on any screen. Advantages of this method:

• 🎯 Supports most controllers (including Xbox, PlayStation, Steam Deck).
• 📱 Powered by Smart TV (via the app) and on older TVs (via Raspberry Pi or Android set-top box).
• 🔧 Automatically optimizes bitrate for your network.

How to set up:

1. Install Steam on your PC and sign in to your account.
2. Turn on streaming: go to Settings → Login → Configure Steam Guard (if not configured), then in Settings → Streaming and tick the box Enable streaming.
3. Install the app on your TV Steam Link (available in Google Play For Android TV, App Store For Apple TV, or through Samsung App Store).
4. Connect the controller to the TV (via Bluetooth or USB).
5. Launch Steam Link on TV, select your PC from the list and start broadcasting.

To reduce latency in Steam Link:

• In the TV app settings, select High quality (if the network is stable) or Balanced (if there are lags).
• Activate the option Hardware encoding (uses NVENC/AMF instead of CPU).
• Turn it off Steam Overlay in the game settings (reduces the load).

Enable hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF)

Select "High Quality" mode (if the network is 5 GHz)

Connect the controller directly to the TV (not via a PC)

Close background programs on your PC (Discord, browser) -->

⚠️ Attention: Steam Link does not support games from other stores (Epic Games, GOG, Ubisoft Connect). For them, use Moonlight or Parsec (see next sections).

3. Method 2: Moonlight – Stream any PC game to NVIDIA

Moonlight - is a client for the technology NVIDIA GameStream, which allows you to broadcast any games (not only from Steam) from a PC to a TV. The main requirement is a video card. NVIDIA (series GTX 9xx and newer) and drivers GeForce Experience.

Advantages Moonlight:

• 🎮 Supports all games (including those launched outside Steam).
• 🔥 Minimum delay: 10–30 ms when set up correctly (better than Steam Link).
• 📱 Powered by Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS and even on iPhone/iPad.

Step-by-step setup:

1. Install GeForce Experience on your PC and log in.
2. Turn on GameStream:

   NVIDIA Control Panel → Configure GameStream → Enable

   Add games to your library GeForce Experience (if they are not from Steam).

3. Install on your TV Moonlight (available in app stores or through APK For Android TV).
4. Launch Moonlight, select your PC from the list, and connect. When connecting for the first time, enter the PIN code that appears on your PC screen.

To optimize quality:

• In the settings Moonlight select:
  • 1080p@60fps (or 4K@60fps, if the network can handle it).
  • Bitrate: 20–50 Mbps (the higher, the better the quality, but the greater the load on the network).
  • Codec: HEVC (if your video card supports it).
• Turn it off V-Sync in the game settings (reduces lag).

How to check HEVC support?

Open NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Help → System Information and find the line NVENCIf there is support HEVC, the codec will be available in Moonlight.

4. Method 3: Parsec – cloud streaming and multiplayer

Parsec — a universal streaming solution that's suitable not only for gaming but also for remote PC work. Its key feature is ultra-low latency (even on weak networks) and the ability to play with friends over the Internet (as in Google Stadia, but on your hardware).

Pros Parsec:

• 🌍 Works over the Internet (you can play from your PC even if you're not at home).
• 🎮 Supports any games and applications (including Epic Games, Origin, emulators).
• 🔧 Automatically optimizes bitrate for your network.

How to set up:

1. Download Parsec on PC (official website) and install.
2. Create an account and log in.
3. Install on your TV Parsec (available for Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS or via browser).
4. Launch Parsec on TV, select your PC from the list and connect.
5. To control, connect the controller to the TV or use the virtual gamepad in the app.

Customization features:

• IN Host Settings (on PC) select:
  • Encoder: NVENC (NVIDIA) or AMF (AMD).
  • Bitrate: 10–50 Mbps (depending on the network).
  • Resolution: Native (or 1080p, if the TV is not 4K).
• To play online (outside the home), turn on Direct IP or use Parsec Relay (but with a greater delay).

5. How to reduce latency and lag when playing over Wi-Fi?

Even with good hardware, lag can ruin your gaming experience. Here concrete steps to minimize it:

1. Network optimization:

• 📶 Switch to 5 GHz (if you use 2.4 GHz).
• 🔌 Connect your PC to the router via cable (even if the TV is on Wi-Fi).
• 🚫 Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi (smartphones, tablets, smart speakers).
• 🔄 Enable it in your router settings QoS (Quality of Service) and set the priority for traffic from the PC.

2. PC setup:

• 🖥️ Close background programs (Discord, Chrome, Telegram).
• 🔧 In GeForce Experience or Radeon Software turn on the mode Maximum performance.
• 🎮 Turn it off V-Sync And Ray Tracing in the game settings (reduces the load on the GPU).

3. Setting up the streaming app:

• IN Moonlight/Parsec select HEVC instead of H.264 (if supported).
• Set bitrate to 20–30 Mbps (more is not always better, may cause lags).
• Turn on Game Mode in TV settings (reduces signal processing delay).

6. Troubleshooting: No sound, lag, connection drops

Problem 1: No sound in the game

• 🔊 In Steam Link/Moonlight Check your audio settings: select HDMI output (if connected to TV).
• 🎧 If you are using headphones, connect them directly to the controller (for example, Xbox Wireless Headset).
• 🔄 Restart your streaming app and check if the sound is muted in Windows Mixer (Win + G → Audio).

Problem 2: Constant lags or freezes

• 📊 Check CPU/GPU load on PC (via Task Manager). If the loading is close to 100%, reduce the stream resolution to 720p.
• 🔌 Connect your PC to the router with a cable (Wi-Fi may not be able to handle the bitrate).
• 🔄 Change the channel on your router 5 GHz to a less busy one (use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer for analysis).

Problem 3: The application does not find the PC

• 🔒 Make sure that the PC is enabled Network Discovery (Control Panel → Network → Sharing Options).
• 🔄 Restart the service NVIDIA Streamer (For Moonlight):

  Win + R → services.msc → Find "NVIDIA Streamer Service" → Restart

• 🛡️ Disable your firewall or antivirus (sometimes they block the connection).

⚠️ Attention: If you have AVM FRITZ!Box or a router from TP-Link, you may need to enable Multicast in the network settings for correct operation Moonlight.

7. Alternative methods: if Wi-Fi is not suitable

If your Wi-Fi isn't streaming well (weak signal, old router), consider these alternatives:

1. Connection via cable (Ethernet)

• 🔌 Connect your PC and TV direct cable (if TV supports Ethernet-to-HDMI adapters).
• 📺 Use Powerline adapters (Internet transmission via electrical wiring) - the delay will be the same as with a cable.

2. External devices for streaming

• 📱 NVIDIA Shield TV — the best console for Moonlight (supports 4K@60fps with minimal lags).
• 🖥️ Raspberry Pi 4/5 With Moonlight or Parsec — a budget option for old TVs.
• 🎮 Steam Deck in mode Desktop Mode - can be used as a PC monitor.

3. Cloud gaming PC (if your computer is weak)

• ☁️ Services like Shadow PC, GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming allow you to play on TV without powerful hardware.
• 💰 Cost: from $10 per month (but requires a stable internet connection of at least 25 Mbps).

sudo apt install moonlight-qt

This will give better performance than the stock Android app.-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about streaming games to TV

Is it possible to play on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi?

Technically yes, but the latency will be high (from 80 ms) and the quality will be low. For a comfortable gaming experience you will need 5 GHz or a wired connection. If there is no alternative, lower the resolution to 720p and bitrate up to 5 Mbps.

How to play Fortnite or GTA V through Steam Link, if they are not from Steam?

Add the game to Steam as a "non-Steam game":

1. Open Steam, click Games → Add a non-Steam game.
2. Select the game executable file (for example, GTA5.exe).
3. Run via Steam Link like a regular game.

Why in Moonlight Black screen when connecting?

Reasons and solutions:

• 🔌 It's not enabled on PC GameStream - check in GeForce Experience.
• 🛡️ Firewall is blocking the connection - please add NVIDIA Streamer in exceptions.
• 🖥️ Video card does not support GameStream - update your drivers or use Parsec.

How to play with keyboard and mouse on TV?

Options:

• 🖱️ Connect your wireless keyboard/mouse to your TV (via Bluetooth or USB receiver).
• 📱 Use your phone as a touchpad (apps Unified Remote or Moonlight have built-in virtual keyboards).
• 🎮 Buy a gamepad with keyboard support (for example, Razer Kishi).

Is it possible to stream games from a laptop?

Yes, but keep in mind:

• 🔋 The laptop must be connected to a power source (otherwise, performance will drop).
• 🔥 The video card must support hardware encoding (NVENC For NVIDIA or AMF For AMD).
• 📡 A laptop's Wi-Fi module is often weaker than that of a desktop PC - use 5 GHz or Ethernet adapter.