How to connect a laptop to a TV: HDMI or Wi-Fi – which is better in 2026?

2. Step-by-step instructions: connecting via HDMI

The connection process takes less than a minute, but there are some nuances in the settings Windows And macOS. Follow this algorithm:

For Windows 10/11:

1. Connect the cable to the ports HDMI-IN on TV and HDMI-OUT (or USB-C with adapter) on the laptop.
2. Press the button on the TV remote control Source (or Input) and select the appropriate HDMI port.
3. On a laptop, press Win + P and select the mode:
   • Duplicate - the same picture on both screens.
   • Expand — the desktop continues on the TV (convenient for work).
   • Second screen only — image only on TV.

For macOS (MacBook):

1. Connect the cable (use an adapter if necessary) USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter from Apple).
2. On your TV, select the desired HDMI input.
3. On a Mac, go to System Preferences → Monitors and adjust the resolution (recommended) Default for display).
4. For sound: System Preferences → Sound → Output → select TV.
What to do if there is no image?

1. Check the cable for damage (try another one).


2. Make sure the correct source (HDMI 1/2/ARC) is selected on the TV.


3. On your laptop, update the video card drivers (via device Manager or the manufacturer's website).


4. Try a different HDMI port on your TV (some ports only support 1080p).


5. If you are using a USB-C → HDMI adapter, check its compatibility with your laptop model.

3. Wireless connection: Wi-Fi, Miracast, AirPlay

If wires are a nuisance, you can do without them. Modern TVs and laptops support several wireless standards:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct / Miracast — a universal protocol for screen duplication (works on Windows And Android).
• 🍎 AirPlay — technology from Apple for MacBook and TVs with support AirPlay 2 (For example, LG OLED or Samsung QLED 2022+).
• 🖥️ DLNA / Screen Mirroring — streaming media files (not screen mirroring!).
• 🎮 Steam Link / Moonlight — for broadcasting games from a PC to a TV via a local network.

The main advantages of wireless connection:

• ✅ No wires - convenient for presentations or temporary use.
• ✅ You can connect from a distance of up to 10 meters (depending on the Wi-Fi strength).
• ✅ Supported by most modern devices.

But there are also serious limitations:

• ❌ Lag from 30 to 200 ms - critical for games and dynamic videos.
• ❌ Video compression - even with good Wi-Fi, the quality will be worse than via HDMI (maximum 1080p@30Hz for Miracast).
• ❌ Network dependence - If the Wi-Fi is overloaded, the picture will slow down.
• ❌ Sound problems — sometimes the sound is delayed or absent altogether.

Wireless connection is best used for:

• 📊 Presentations in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
• 🎬 Watch videos from the Internet (YouTube, Netflix) in resolution up to 1080p.
• 📱 Mirror your smartphone screen (if your laptop is not at hand).

4. How to connect a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi (instructions for all operating systems)

The setup process depends on your laptop's operating system and TV model. Below are general instructions for the most popular combinations.

4.1. Windows 10/11 → TV (Miracast)

Most TVs Samsung, LG And Sony (released after 2015) support MiracastTo connect:

1. Make sure your TV and laptop are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or use Wi-Fi Direct on TV).
2. Turn on the TV mode Screen Mirroring (name may differ):
   • Samsung: Settings → General → Screen Mirroring.
   • LG: Settings → Connection → Screen Mirroring.
   • Sony Bravia: Settings → Network → Screen Mirroring.

If the laptop does not find the TV:

• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 📶 Check that Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices.
• 🔧 Update your laptop's wireless adapter drivers (via device Manager).
• 🛡️ Disable your firewall or VPN - they may be blocking the connection.

4.2. macOS → TV (AirPlay)

If you have MacBook and a TV with support AirPlay 2 (For example, LG OLED 2019+, Samsung QLED 2020+, Sony Bravia X90J), the connection will take a few seconds:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Turn on the TV AirPlay:
   • LG: Settings → General → AirPlay and HomeKit → turn on AirPlay.
   • Samsung: Settings → General → Apple AirPlay.

For broadcast video only (without duplicating the desktop) can be used AirPlay from applications. For example, in QuickTime Player or Safari click on the icon AirPlay (rectangle with triangle) and select TV.

4.3. Android Laptop → TV (Google Cast)

Laptops on ChromeOS or Android (For example, Samsung Galaxy Book) can use Google Cast for broadcasting to TVs with Android TV or Google TV:

1. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your TV, open the app Google Home (or use the built-in function Cast).
3. On the laptop in Chrome click on the three dots → Broadcast → select TV.
4. To duplicate the entire screen: Settings → Connected devices → Broadcast.
Why is my wireless connection slow?

1. Weak Wi-Fi signal — move the router closer or use a mesh system.


2. Congested network — Disconnect other devices that are downloading files.


3. Low Wi-Fi frequency - switch your router to 5 GHz (2.4 GHz is too slow for video).


4. Old drivers — update the software of the wireless adapter on your laptop.


5. Video compression — Miracast automatically reduces quality when the signal is weak.

5. HDMI vs. Wi-Fi Comparison: Pros and Cons

To make your choice easier, we have summarized the key parameters in a table:

Parameter	HDMI	Wi-Fi (Miracast/AirPlay)
Max. permission	8K@60Hz (HDMI 2.1)	1080p@30Hz (less often 4K with compression)
Lag	0 ms	30–200 ms
Sound quality	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X	Stereo, sometimes 5.1 (with delays)
Stability	100% (no interference)	Depends on Wi-Fi (may be slow)
Convenience	Wires, limited length	No wires, freedom of movement
Price	From 500₽ per cable (up to 5000₽ for premium HDMI 2.1)	Free (if devices support it)
Suitable for	Games, 4K movies, graphics work	Presentations, YouTube, screen mirroring

As can be seen from the table, HDMI wins in all technical parameters, but loses in convenience. Wi-Fi Suitable for places where wires get in the way or where you need to quickly connect (for example, in a conference room).

6. Typical problems and their solutions

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

6.1. No picture via HDMI

If the TV screen remains black after connecting the cable:

• 🔌 Check that the cable is inserted until it clicks (sometimes the contacts do not touch).
• 📺 On your TV, select the correct one HDMI input (there is a button on the remote control Source or Input).
• 💻 On a laptop, press Win + P and select the mode Second screen only.
• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 🛠️ Update your graphics card drivers (via device Manager or the manufacturer's website).

If you use an adapter USB-C → HDMI, make sure it is active (Passive adapters do not support 4K@60Hz). Also, check if your USB-C port supports it. DisplayPort Alt Mode (This can be clarified in the laptop specifications).

6.2. The wireless connection keeps dropping out

If the image on Wi-Fi slows down or disappears:

• 📶 Switch your router to a different frequency 5 GHz (in the router settings).
• 📡 Move the router closer to the TV or use Wi-Fi repeater.
• 🚫 Turn off other devices that consume traffic (torrents, online games).
• 🔧 Update your router firmware (via the web interface, usually 192.168.1.1).
• 🔄 Restart your router (turn it off for 30 seconds).

If the problem persists, try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (without router):

1. Turn on the TV Wi-Fi Direct (Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct).
2. On your laptop, connect to the network created by the TV (the name will be something like DIRECT-xx-SamsungTV).
3. Start screen projection (Win + K).

6.3. No sound via HDMI

If there is an image, but the sound comes through the laptop speakers:

• 🔊 On Windows: right click on Sound in the tray → Open sound settings → in the section Conclusion select a TV (for example, Samsung Q70).
• 🔊 On macOS: System Preferences → Sound → Output → select TV.
• 🔧 Check that your HDMI cable supports audio (cheap cables sometimes only transmit video).
• 📺 On your TV, in the sound settings, select HDMI ARC or External speakers.

If the sound is delayed (when connected wirelessly), try:

• 🎵 In the sound settings on your laptop, select Stereo instead of 5.1.
• 📶 Reduce your streaming resolution (for example, from 1080p to 720p).

7. Alternative connection methods

If neither HDMI nor Wi-Fi are suitable, there are a few other options:

7.1. USB-C / Thunderbolt 3

Laptops with USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 (For example, MacBook Pro, Dell XPS) can be connected to the TV via:

• 🔌 USB-C to HDMI adapter (For example, Anker 310).
• 🔌 USB-C → DisplayPort (if the TV supports DisplayPort via adapter).

Advantages:

• ⚡ Support 4K@60Hz And HDR.
• 💡 Compactness (one cable for video, audio and charging).

Flaws:

• ❌ Expensive adapters (from 2000₽ for high-quality models).
• ❌ Not all USB-C ports support DisplayPort Alt Mode.

7.2. Chromecast / Apple TV / Fire Stick

If the TV does not support Miracast or AirPlay, you can use external devices:

• 📱 Google Chromecast (from 3000₽) - for streaming with Chrome, YouTube, Netflix.
• 🍎 Apple TV 4K (from 12,000₽) — for AirPlay and screen mirroring MacBook.
• 🔥 Amazon Fire Stick (from 2500₽) - for streaming content from Prime Video.

These devices connect to HDMI port TV and work via Wi-Fi. The downside is additional costs and possible lag when mirroring the screen.

7.3. Ethernet (for stable streaming)

If you need to stream video over a local network without lags (for example, for Plex or Kodi), it is better to use a wired connection:

• 🌐 Connect your laptop and TV to the router via Ethernet (if the TV has a LAN port).
• 📦 Use a media server (Plex, Jellyfin) for file streaming.

This solution is suitable for watching movies in high quality without compression.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions