How to Display Photos from Your Computer to Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

• Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced Sharing Settings.
• Turn on File and Printer Sharing And Shared access so that network users can read and write files.
• Make sure the folder with photos is located in Shared folders (For example, Video, Images, Publicly available).
• Start playback on TV: In the DLNA menu, select your computer and the folder with the images.

If the TV does not see the computer:

• 🔧 Check that the service is enabled on your PC SSDP Discovery And UPnP Device Host (through services.msc).
• 🔒 Disable Windows Firewall or add an exception for dlna.
• 📂 Make sure the photo folder is not located on a network drive or in the cloud (DLNA only works with local files).

4. Method 3: Manufacturer's applications (Smart View, LG TV Plus)

Many brands are developing their own apps for wireless content transfer. These are often more stable than universal protocols and support additional features (such as presentation or slideshow management). Let's look at the most popular solutions:

For Samsung TVs: utility Smart View (previously Samsung SmartThings). It allows you to not only transfer images but also control your TV from your computer. Download the program from official website and follow the instructions:

1. Install and run Smart View on PC.
2. Turn on the TV Screen Mirroring (Settings → Connections → Screen Mirroring).
3. In the app, select your TV from the list and confirm the connection.
4. Drag photos into the program window or select a folder to play.

For LG TVs: application LG TV PlusIt supports the transfer of images, videos, and even screen mirroring. Its special feature is that it works via Wi-Fi Direct, which is useful if the router does not support multicast.

For Sony TVs: utility Video & TV SideViewIn addition to transmitting media, it allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control.

• ⚡ Pros: high stability, support for specific functions (eg Ambient Mode on Samsung).
• ⚠️ Cons: requires installation of additional software and may not work on older TV models.

⚠️ Attention: Manufacturers' applications often require account registration (for example, Samsung Account or LG Account). If you don’t want to create a profile, use alternative methods (Miracast or DLNA).

5. Method 4: Google Cast (Chromecast and built-in solutions)

If your TV supports Google Cast (or you have a set-top box Chromecast), you can transfer images through the browser Google Chrome or specialized apps. This method is universal and works even on older TVs with a set-top box.

Instructions for transferring via Chrome:

1. Connect Chromecast to your TV and set it up using the app Google Home.
2. Open Google Chrome on the computer.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Hand over.
4. Choose yours Chromecast or a Cast-enabled TV.
5. Open the image in a browser (for example, via Google Photos or local file).
6. Click Pass the tab or Transfer file.

For transferring local files it is convenient to use the extension Cast for Education or service Google Photos:

• 🖼️ Upload photos to Google Photos (via browser or mobile app).
• 📺 Open Google Photos on the TV (via the built-in application or Chromecast).
• 🔄 Select an album or individual photos to play.

Advantages of Google Cast:

• 🌐 Works via the Internet (you can even transfer images from the cloud).
• 📱 Supports control from a phone (via Google Home).
• 🔄 Allows you to create slideshows with music.

6. Method 5: Specialized programs (Plex, Kodi, VLC)

If built-in methods aren't suitable, you can use third-party programs. They offer advanced features, such as media library creation, format transcoding, and remote control.

1. Plex Media Server

Plex — is a powerful media server that organizes your photos, videos, and music into a convenient library. To set up image transfer:

1. Download and install Plex Media Server to the computer (official website).
2. Add a folder with photos to the library (in the web interface Plex).
3. Install the application Plex on TV (available for Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Android TV).
4. Log in and select your server – your photos will be available for viewing.

2. Kodi

Kodi — an open media player with UPnP/DLNA support. To transfer images:

1. Install Kodi on the computer and TV.
2. On your PC, enable sharing for your photo folder (Settings → Services → UPnP/DLNA → Allow remote control).
3. On TV in Kodi go to Files → Add Source → Browse → UPnP Devices.
4. Select your computer and the folder with the images.

3. VLC

VLC Can stream media over the network. For photo transfer:

1. Open VLC on PC, go to View → Stream.
2. Add a folder with images and select HTTP as a protocol.
3. Open on your TV VLC (or another player that supports network streams) and enter the address generated on your PC.

7. 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:

1. The TV doesn't see the computer.

• 🔌 Check that both devices are connected to one network (not to guest or different VLANs).
• 🔄 Reboot your router—sometimes the DHCP server issues incorrect IP addresses.
• 🛡️ Disable your firewall or antivirus software on your computer (they may block multicast traffic).
• 📡 Check that the router is turned on UPnP (Settings → Local Network → UPnP).

2. The image slows down or breaks

• 📶 Switch to range 5 GHz - it is less congested and provides greater throughput.
• 📉 Reduce the resolution of the transmitted images (for example, from 4K to Full HD).
• 🔌 Connect your computer to the router via cable (if possible) - this will reduce the load on your Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 In your router settings, set a fixed channel instead Auto (For example, 36 or 149).

3. There is no sound when transmitting images

• 🔊 Make sure that the TV is selected in the PC audio output settings (click Win + K → Sound Options).
• 🔄 Restart the service Windows Audio (services.msc).
• 📺 Make sure that the sound is not muted in the HDMI/DisplayPort settings on your TV.

4. The connection keeps breaking.

• 📶 Check the Wi-Fi signal strength on your TV (in the network settings). If it's weak, move the router closer or use a repeater.
• 🔋 Make sure your TV doesn't go into sleep mode (Settings → Power Saving → Standby Mode).
• 🔄 Update your router and TV firmware.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs Xiaomi And TCL function Screen Mirroring may conflict with the connection via DLNAIf one of the connections isn't working, try disabling the other one in the network settings.

8. Alternative options (if Wi-Fi is not suitable)

If a wireless connection is not possible (for example, due to a weak signal or no Wi-Fi), consider alternative methods:

1. HDMI connection

The most reliable and versatile method. You'll need:

• 📺 Cable HDMI (version 1.4 or higher for 4K).
• 💻 Modern laptops may require an adapter (e.g. USB-C → HDMI).

Simply connect the cable to your PC and TV, then select the desired signal source on your TV (HDMI 1/2/3).

2. USB drive or external hard drive

Copy your photos to a flash drive and connect it to your TV. Most Smart TVs support these formats. JPEG, PNG, BMP and even RAW (on 2020+ models).

3. Cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex Drive)

Upload your images to the cloud, then open them on your TV using the built-in browser or app (e.g. Google Photos or Yandex Disk).

4. Set-top boxes (Apple TV, Android TV Box)

If your TV does not support Smart functions, you can use an external set-top box (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box or Nvidia Shield). They support all the transmission methods described above (Miracast, DLNA, Google Cast).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

• Connect your phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Use apps like Send Anywhere or LocalSendto send the photo to your computer.
• Then stream them to your TV via DLNA or Miracast.

sudo apt install minidlna
sudo systemctl start minidlna
sudo systemctl enable minidlna