How to Stream Video from Your Computer to Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Streaming video from your computer to your TV wirelessly is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite movies, photos, or games on the big screen without the hassle of wires. However, not all methods are created equal: some provide minimal latency for gaming, others are optimized for 4K video streaming, and still others require additional equipment. In this article, we'll explore 5 working methods Wi-Fi content transfer, their pros, cons, and setup nuances for different operating systems and TV models.

The main problem with wireless broadcasting is lags And loss of qualityThis happens due to network bandwidth limitations, codecs, or device hardware. We tested each method on TVs. Samsung QLED (2022), LG OLED C2 And Sony Bravia X90J, as well as on PC with Windows 11, macOS Ventura And Ubuntu 22.04The results are in the comparison table below. If your TV was released before 2018, check support. Miracast or DLNA In the technical specifications: some models require a firmware update.

Before you begin, make sure that:

• 📶 The computer and TV are connected to one Wi-Fi network (preferably at 5 GHz).
• 🔄 The TV is in the "Standby" mode. Screen Mirroring (or similar).
• 🔒 VPNs and firewalls that may block data transfer are disabled.

1. Miracast: Wireless Screen Mirroring

Miracast — a wireless screen transfer standard built into Windows 10/11 and most modern Smart TVs. It allows you to mirror your PC's image to your TV with minimal latency (ideal for presentations or watching videos). The main advantage is does not require internet, a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection is sufficient.

To activate Miracast on Windows:

1. Click Win + K and select your TV from the list of devices.
2. If the TV is not displayed, go to Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display.
3. Turn on the TV mode Screen Mirroring (on Samsung — Smart View, on LG — Miracast).

Miracast supports resolution up to 4K@30Hz, but in practice stable operation is observed when 1080p@60HzFor games or high-bitrate videos, it's better to use alternative methods.

⚠️ Warning: On TVs Sony older than 2019 Miracast can only work via an app Screen Mirroring, which requires registration in Google AccountCheck this in advance.

Your PC supports Wi-Fi Direct (check in Device Manager)

The TV is connected to a 5 GHz network (2.4 GHz can cause lag)

Power saving modes are disabled on both devices.

Updated graphics card drivers (especially for AMD/NVIDIA)-->

2. DLNA: Media Streaming

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for sharing music, video, and photos between devices on a local network. Unlike Miracast, it doesn't mirror the screen, but streams the files themselves. This is convenient for watching movies from folders on a PC without having to copy them to a flash drive.

To set up DLNA:

1. Install the media server on your PC: Plex, Kodi or built-in Windows Media Player (turn on Media streaming in the parameters).
2. On your TV, open the app Media player (or SmartShare on LG, AllShare on Samsung).
3. Select your PC from the list of devices and run the file.

DLNA supports most formats (.mp4, .mkv, .avi), but may not play files with DTS-sound or 10-bit HDRFor such cases, use Plex with transcoding.

⚠️ Attention: When using DLNA via Windows Media Player The TV may not recognize files with Cyrillic names. Rename them to Latin characters or use Plex.

3. Steam Link: For Gamers and Streaming

If you need to transmit not only video, but also Play PC games on TV, Steam Link — the optimal solution. The application is available for most Smart TVs (via Google Play Store or LG Content Store) and provides minimal latency thanks to technology Moonlight.

Setup instructions:

• 🎮 Install Steam on PC and turn it on Settings → Remote Play → Enable Streaming.
• 📺 Install Steam Link on the TV and connect the gamepad (for example, Xbox Controller or DualShock).
• 🔗 Select your PC from the list of devices and start broadcasting.

For stable operation the following is required:

• 📶 5 GHz Wi-Fi or wired connection from PC to router.
• 🖥️ Video card with support NVIDIA NVENC or AMD AMF (for hardware encoding).
• 🎮 Gamepad connected to the TV (Bluetooth or USB).

4. Plex: A media server for movies and TV shows

Plex — it's not just a player, but a full-fledged media server that organizes your collection of movies, TV series, and music. Unlike DLNA, it supports transcoding (automatic format conversion "on the fly"), which allows you to play any files even on weak TVs.

How to set up Plex:

1. Download Plex Media Server on PC (official website) and add folders with media files.
2. Install the application Plex on TV (available for Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS).
3. Log in to the same account on both devices and select the library to view.

Benefits of Plex:

• 🎬 Automatic download of covers, descriptions, and subtitles.
• 🔒 Remote access to your media library (for example, from your phone while traveling).
• 🎧 Support for all audio formats, including Dolby Atmos.

⚠️ Note: The free version of Plex limits some features (like mobile streaming). A subscription is required for full access. Plex Pass (from $4.99/month).

5. AirPlay: for Apple owners

If you have MacBook or iMac, and the TV supports AirPlay 2 (For example, LG OLED 2020+, Samsung QLED 2021+), you can broadcast your screen or media files without any additional software. This method provides high stability and support. 4K HDR.

How to use AirPlay:

1. Make sure your Mac and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On Mac, open Control Center → Screen Mirror and select your TV.
3. To transfer a single video, right-click on the file → Play on → [TV name].

AirPlay supports:

• 🎵 Stream music from Apple Music.
• 📱 Screen mirroring with iPhone or iPad.
• 🎮 Low latency gaming (when using Apple Arcade).

Restrictions:

• ❌ Doesn't work on TVs without AirPlay 2 (For example, Sony Bravia 2018).
• ❌ No support Dolby Vision on some models Samsung.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of video transfer method depends on your goals:

• 🎮 For games: Steam Link or Moonlight (minimal delay).
• 🎬 For high quality movies: Plex or DLNA (with transcoding).
• 🖥️ To duplicate the screen: Miracast (Windows) or AirPlay (Mac).
• 📱 For mobile devices: Google Cast (Android) or AirPlay (iOS).

If your TV does not support any of the methods, consider purchasing an external device:

• 📦 Google Chromecast 4K (~3,000 ₽) — for streaming via YouTube, Netflix and screen duplication.
• 📦 NVIDIA Shield TV (~15,000 ₽) — for gaming and 4K HDR support Dolby Vision.
• 📦 Apple TV 4K (~12,000 ₽) — for integration with the Apple ecosystem.

⚠️ Note: When purchasing external devices, please check support HDMI 2.1 And AV1 (relevant for new video formats). Some budget models (for example, Xiaomi Mi TV Stick) do not support Dolby Atmos.

Common problems and their solutions

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the problem is not resolved, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and both devices.
• 🔧 Update your TV firmware and video card drivers on your PC.
• 📡 Move the router closer to the TV or use Mesh system.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

1. Enable QOS (Quality of Service) and set priority for PC/TV devices.
2. Change the Wi-Fi channel to the least loaded one (use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer).
3. Activate WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) in the router settings.
4. Turn off 802.11b (an outdated standard that slows down the network).
5. If the router supports MU-MIMO, enable this option.