Modern multimedia systems make it easy to display images from your computer on a large screen without the use of unnecessary wires. Technology Miracast LG's built-in protocols make this process accessible even to inexperienced users. Simply connect both devices to the same local network, and you can stream your desktop, movies, or presentations.
However, despite the apparent simplicity, the setup process may encounter a number of technical nuances depending on the version of the Windows operating system and the model of your Smart TVSometimes video card drivers require updating, and your router may require reconfiguring its broadcast channels. In this article, we'll cover all possible connection methods and solutions to common issues in detail.
Using a wireless interface eliminates the need to run long HDMI cables across the entire apartment. This is especially important if the TV is mounted on a wall far from the workstation. The quality of the transmitted image directly depends on the signal strength and airwave congestion, so connection stability is a top priority.
Before beginning setup, make sure your computer is equipped with a Wi-Fi module. If you're using a desktop PC without a built-in adapter, you'll need an external USB receiver. Without an active wireless connection, wireless media streaming is technically impossible.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
The foundation for successful synchronization is the correct operation of network equipment. The router must support the standards 802.11n or higher, preferably in the 5 GHz band for high-definition video transmission. Older routers may not be able to handle the data flow, resulting in delays.
LG TVs released after 2014 usually already have built-in support for the technology. Screen ShareOlder models may require installing an additional app from the LG Content Store. Check your device's menu for this feature.
- 📡 Make sure your PC and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (SSID).
- 🔄 Update your TV's firmware via the menu
Settings → All settings → General → About TV. - 🖥️ Check if the Wi-Fi adapter on your computer is enabled and if the drivers are installed.
- 🔌 Make sure the devices are within range of the router's signal.
It's important to note that some corporate networks or router guest modes may block direct connections between devices (AP Isolation). This issue is rare at home, but if you don't see your TV in the list of available devices, check your router's security settings.
⚠️ Important: If your router broadcasts two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with different names, be sure to connect both devices to one of them. Different frequency ranges with different names may be perceived by the system as isolated networks.
You can use built-in Windows tools or TV apps to diagnose your connection speed. Low data transfer speeds are often the cause of artifacts on the screen. Make sure there are no strong sources of interference, such as microwave ovens, near the receivers.
Setting up an LG TV to receive a signal
Before initiating a search from your computer, you need to prepare the receiver. In the webOS operating system installed on LG TVs, the signal reception function is often already enabled by default, but requires verification. Go to the main menu using the remote and find the app. Screen Share or "Connect to a mobile device."
Some LG firmware versions require manual external connection permissions. Go to the section Settings → Connection → SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) menu and make sure the function is activated. This will allow the TV to correctly respond to requests from external sources.
If you're using older models with NetCast or earlier versions of webOS, the interface may differ. In this case, look for the "Network" or "Smart Share" section. Enable the "Allow connected devices" option so your PC can detect the TV on the local network.
- 📺 Launch the Screen Share app on your TV's home screen.
- 🔗 Select "Mirroring" or "Screen mirroring" mode in the menu that appears.
- 🛡️ When a connection request appears on the TV screen, confirm the action with the remote control.
It's worth noting that in standby mode, the TV may enter power-saving mode, disabling Wi-Fi to conserve power. It's recommended to disable quick start or set a sleep timer to keep the device discoverable.
⚠️ Note: The menu interface may vary depending on the model year and software version. If you don't see these options, please refer to the user manual on the manufacturer's official website.
Once connection standby mode is activated, the TV will begin broadcasting its ID to the network. The screen may remain black or display the LG logo with the text "Waiting for connection." This is normal behavior before pairing.
Connecting via built-in Windows tools (Miracast)
Windows 10 and 11 natively support wireless display technology. You won't need to install any third-party software if your computer meets the requirements. Open the Action Center by pressing the following key combination. Win + A, and find the "Project" tile.
If the tile is not active or missing, go to system settings via Start → Settings → System → Project to this PCHere you can configure your PC's visibility to other devices, although the search function is more important for our purposes. Click the "Connect to a wireless display" button at the bottom of this menu or use the hotkeys. Win + K.
☑️ Check before connection
The system will begin searching for available devices. Your LG TV should appear in the list, labeled "Wireless" or simply the TV model. Click it, and Windows will attempt to establish a connection. The process may take 5 to 15 seconds.
- 🖱️ Click
Win + Kto call the connection panel. - 📡 Select your LG TV from the list of found devices.
- ✅ Accept the connection request on the TV screen if it appears.
Once paired successfully, the desktop image will appear on the TV. You can change the operating mode by opening the menu again. Win + PThe available options are: "Computer screen only", "Duplicate" (copy), "Extend" (second monitor), and "Second screen only".
⚠️ Note: When using the "Extend" mode, the mouse cursor may behave unpredictably if the screen resolutions differ significantly. It is recommended to set the same scaling in the display settings.
Picture quality in Miracast mode depends on the processor and graphics card. 4K video playback may experience stuttering if the Wi-Fi connection is unstable. This method is ideal for office tasks and web surfing.
Using DLNA technology to stream media files
If your goal is not to duplicate your desktop, but to watch movies or listen to music stored on your PC's hard drive, it is better to use the protocol DLNAThis method is less resource-intensive and does not put a strain on the video card, transmitting only the data stream.
In Windows, this feature is implemented through "Media Streaming Settings." Open Control Panel, find the "Multimedia" section, and enable streaming. Your computer will become a media server accessible to your LG TV on your local network.
On your TV, open the Photos & Videos or LG Photos app. Select your computer from the list of sources. This will give you access to shared folders where videos, music, and pictures are stored. This is a great way to watch content without copying files to a flash drive.
How to add a folder to streaming?
By default, Windows only opens standard libraries. To stream videos from a different folder, right-click the folder, select "Properties" → "Sharing" tab → "Advanced" and ensure that "Read" access is enabled. Then, in the streaming media settings, click "Configure" and add the desired folders to the allowed list.
The advantage of DLNA is its support for subtitles and various audio formats, which the TV decodes automatically. In this case, the computer merely serves as storage, allowing it to remain in sleep mode or be used for other tasks without sacrificing performance.
| Parameter | Miracast (Mirroring) | DLNA (Media Server) | AirPlay 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission type | Full screen in real time | Media files only | Screen or Files (Apple) |
| Delay | Yes (depending on Wi-Fi) | Absent | Minimum |
| PC load | High (video encoding) | Low | Average |
| Sound | Transmitted from the system | TV is decoded | Transmitted from the system |
You can use your TV remote to control playback. You can pause, rewind, and adjust the volume. However, you won't be able to switch to the Windows desktop via DLNA, as only the content is transmitted, not the OS interface.
Broadcasting via browser and third-party applications
When standard tools don't work or require advanced functionality, browsers and specialized software can help. Google Chrome has a built-in Cast feature that allows you to cast a tab or the entire screen to a TV if it supports Chromecast (built into webOS).
Open your browser, click the three dots in the corner, and select "Cast." The system will find devices on the network. This method is convenient for showing presentations or videos from websites that block direct screen mirroring using system tools.
For owners of Apple equipment (MacBook, iMac) the protocol is relevant AirPlay 2Modern LG TVs support it natively. You don't need any additional adapters; simply select the TV in the audio or display output menu in macOS. This ensures high picture stability and quality.
There are also paid server apps, such as AirServer or LetsView, that install on your PC and emulate an AirPlay or Miracast receiver, improving compatibility with older versions of Windows. These can be useful if the default Wi-Fi drivers aren't working properly.
⚠️ Please note: When using browser streaming, image quality may be lower than with a system connection due to additional compression of the video stream by the browser.
Please remember that using third-party software requires the installation of additional components. Always download programs from the developers' official websites to avoid introducing malicious code into your system.
Troubleshooting and optimizing your connection
Even with proper setup, problems may still occur. If the TV isn't found, try rebooting both devices and the router. Often, simply flushing the DNS cache or refreshing the IP address with the command ipconfig /renew in the command line.
Check your Windows Firewall settings. Sometimes antivirus programs block incoming connections, deeming them suspicious. Add your TV to the exception list or temporarily disable network protection to test.
- 🔄 Restart your router, computer, and TV.
- 🛡️ Check if your antivirus is blocking network discovery.
- 📶 Make sure that the "Metered Connection" mode is not enabled on your PC.
If the image is choppy or has low resolution, try lowering the output quality in the graphics settings or moving your computer closer to the router. Using the 5 GHz band significantly improves throughput compared to 2.4 GHz.
In rare cases, the issue stems from an outdated Wi-Fi security protocol. If your router is configured for the older WEP or WPA (TKIP) standard, modern devices may not work correctly. Switch to WPA2/WPA3 (AES) in your router settings.
Why isn't my LG TV showing up in the list of wireless displays?
The most common cause is that the devices are on different subnets or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, check that the Projection service isn't disabled in Windows Features. Make sure the Screen Share app is open on the TV and actively waiting for a connection.
Can you play games on TV via Wi-Fi?
Technically, this is possible via Miracast, but input lag can range from 50 to 150 ms, which is critical for fast-paced shooters. For a comfortable gaming experience, it's best to use an HDMI cable or stream via GeForce Stream with careful network configuration.
How to improve the quality of a picture if it is blurry?
Make sure the Windows resolution is set to the native resolution for your TV (usually 1920x1080 or 3840x2160). Check the scaling settings in the Projection menu (Win+P -> Change projection settings). Slow Wi-Fi speeds can also affect quality.
Is internet required for Miracast to work?
No, internet access is not required. Miracast technology creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between your computer and TV. However, initial driver installation or app updates on your Smart TV will require internet access.