How to connect a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi: all the methods + troubleshooting

Connecting your computer to your TV wirelessly via Wi-Fi opens up a ton of possibilities, from watching movies on the big screen to streaming games without an HDMI cable. However, not everyone knows that there is several fundamentally different technologies for such a transfer - and each has its own limitations. For example, Miracast works without the internet, but requires support on both devices, and DLNA will only allow you to stream media files, but not duplicate your screen.

In this article we will look at 5 working methods connections (including little-known ones), compare them by speed, latency and compatibility, and also give Specific solutions for 7 typical mistakesthat arise during setup. If you've already tried connecting and received a message like "Device not supported" or "No sound" — here you will find the causes and ways to eliminate them.

Important: The connection method depends not only on the TV model (Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia etc.), but also from Windows versions (or macOS/Linux), as well as from your capabilities Wi-Fi routerFor example, for Miracast A dual-band router (2.4 + 5 GHz) is required, and for Steam Link — stable speed from 15 Mbps.

To avoid wasting time sorting through all the options, use quick navigation:

• 🔍 Need to mirror your PC screen on TV? → Miracast or AirPlay (for Apple)
• 🎮 Want to play from your computer on your TV? → Steam Link or DLNA + Parsec
• 📽️ Just need to stream movies/photos? → DLNA or Smart View

1. Miracast: Wireless Screen Mirroring (Windows → TV)

Miracast — is a standard for wireless transmission of image and sound, built into Windows 8.1/10/11 and most modern televisions (Samsung since 2013, LG since 2014, Sony Bravia since 2015). The main advantage is no internet required, it is enough that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or work in the mode Wi-Fi Direct).

To check support Miracast on PC:

1. Click Win + R, enter dxdiag and press Enter.
2. In the window DirectX Diagnostic Tool go to the tab Screen.
3. Find the line Miracast: must be specified Available with HDCP support.

If there is support, follow the instructions:

• 📺 On your TV: Turn on the function Screen Mirroring (at Samsung — Smart View, at LG — Miracast, at Sony — Cherkaslo). This is usually done through Settings → Network → Screen Mirroring.
• 💻 On PC: Click Win + K (or Win + P → Connect to a wireless display).
• 🔍 Select your TV from the list of available devices. If it's not there, update your Wi-Fi adapter drivers.

⚠️ Attention: If the image on your TV is lagging, try:

• Switch Wi-Fi frequency 5 GHz (in the router settings).
• Reduce PC screen resolution to 1920×1080 (V Settings → System → Display).
• Disable background programs that consume traffic (for example, torrents).

2. AirPlay: For Apple owners (Mac → Apple TV or smart TV)

AirPlay — proprietary technology Apple, which allows you to broadcast your screen from MacBook, iMac or even iPhone on TV. To do this, you need either Apple TV, or a smart TV with support AirPlay 2 (Samsung since 2018, LG since 2019, Sony Bravia (since 2020).

How to connect:

1. Make sure your Mac and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On Mac: Open Control Center (icon in the upper right corner) → Screen mirror.
3. Select your TV from the list. If it's not there, check if it's turned on. AirPlay in the TV settings (usually in the section Network → Apple AirPlay).

For broadcast sound only (for example, music from Apple Music):

• 🎵 Open the music app on your Mac.
• 🔊 Click on the speaker icon in the playback bar and select TV.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs Samsung AirPlay only works with the branded remote control; third-party remotes (such as those from set-top boxes) may not open the menu. Screen Mirroring.

3. Steam Link: For Gamers (PC → TV with minimal latency)

If you want to play from your computer on your TV, Steam Link — one of the best options. This technology from Valve transmits images from a PC to a TV with a delay only 10-30 ms (with good Wi-Fi), which is critical for shooters and racing games. Even gamepads are supported. Xbox or DualSense, connected directly to the TV.

What you will need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Steam and the game.
• 📺 TV with Android TV (or prefix NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box).
• 🌐 Stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi (speed from 15 Mbps).

Step-by-step setup:

1. On PC: Open Steam, go to Settings → Remote Play and turn it on Enable Remote Play.
2. On TV: Install the app Steam Link from Google Play Store (For Android TV) or App Store (For Apple TV).
3. Launch the application, select your PC from the list and connect a gamepad (if necessary).

⚠️ Attention: If the game is lagging, try changing the settings. Steam Link:

• Install Bitrate Limit on 10-15 Mbps (if the router is weak).
• Turn on Hardware Encoding (if you have a video card NVIDIA or AMD).
• Disable Desktop Streaming (if you only need the game mode).

Install Steam on PC | Connect TV and PC to 5 GHz Wi-Fi | Update graphics card drivers | Close background programs (Discord, Chrome) | Check internet speed (speedtest.net) -->

4. DLNA: Stream movies and music without screen mirroring

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for transferring media files (video, music, photos) over a local network. Unlike Miracast, He does not duplicate the screen, but simply opens access to folders on the PC. This is convenient for watching movies, but useless for games or working with documents.

How to set up DLNA server on Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Change advanced sharing options.
3. Turn on File and Printer Sharing And Media streaming.
4. Specify folders with movies/music in Libraries → Music/Video.

On TV:

• 📺 Log in to the app Media player (or DLNA, SmartShare at LG).
• 🔍 Select your PC from the list of devices.
• 🎬 Start playback of the desired file.

⚠️ Attention: Some TVs (especially Samsung older than 2016) do not support formats MKV or FLAC via DLNA. Solution: Convert files to MP4 (H.264) or use Plex Media Server.

What formats does DLNA support on most TVs?

📽️ Video: MP4 (H.264), AVI (Xvid), MKV (only on new models)

🎵 Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV (not always FLAC or ALAC)

🖼️ Photo: JPEG, PNG (some TVs don't show RAW)

🔴 Not supported: ISO images, subtitles in separate files, videos with Bitrate > 20 Mbps.

5. Smart View (Samsung) and similar: branded solutions for smart TVs

TV manufacturers often offer their own wireless connectivity technologies. For example:

• Smart View - at Samsung (works with PC via app) SmartThings).
• LG Screen Share - at LG (requires software installation) LG TV Plus on PC).
• Chromecast built-in - at Android TV (For example, Sony Bravia or Xiaomi Mi TV).

Let's consider the connection via Smart View (For Samsung):

1. Download the app SmartThings on PC (official website).
2. Launch it and log in to the same account Samsung, as on TV.
3. In the app, select your TV, then press Screen mirror.
4. Confirm the connection on your TV.

Advantages of proprietary solutions:

• 🔹 Frequently supported 4K (unlike Miracast).
• 🔹 You can use the TV remote control to control your PC (in limited mode).
• 🔹 Works more stably with "its" devices (for example, Samsung PC + Samsung TV).

⚠️ Attention: Branded applications (eg. LG TV Plus) may conflict with antivirus programs like Kaspersky or AvastBefore connecting, temporarily disable network protection in your antivirus.

6. Troubleshooting: 7 Mistakes and How to Fix Them

If the connection does not work, check these points:

• 🔌 "Device not found":
  • Make sure your PC and TV are connected one Wi-Fi network (not to the guest!).
  • Reboot your router (sometimes DHCP "forgets" devices).
  • On Windows, update the Wi-Fi adapter driver (download from the manufacturer's website, not through Windows Update).
• 🔊 "No sound":
  • On PC: Right-click on the speaker → Open sound settings → Select TV as the output device.
  • If the sound is delayed, reduce the bitrate in the broadcast settings.
• 🖥️ "The image is lagging":
  • Switch Wi-Fi on 5 GHz (in the router settings).
  • Reduce your PC screen resolution to 1920×1080.
  • Close programs that consume traffic (torrents, cloud synchronizations).

To diagnose the network, use the commands in Command line (Win + R → cmd):

ping 192.168.1.1 (your router's address)
ping [TV IP address]

If the ping exceeds 50 ms or there is packet loss - the problem is in the router or interference in the Wi-Fi frequency.

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

If a wireless connection is not possible (for example, due to a weak router), consider these options:

• 🔗 HDMI cable: zero latency, supports 4K@120Hz And 8KMinus is the wire.
• 📡 Wi-Fi 6E adapter: if your router supports 6 GHz, buy a USB adapter for your PC (for example, TP-Link Archer TXE75E). This will reduce interference.
• 🖥️ Mini-PC on Android: connect a device of this type to the TV Xiaomi Mi Box S or NVIDIA Shield, and then control it from your PC via TeamViewer or Parsec.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap "TV set-top boxes" on Android (price up to 3000 ₽) often have problems with Miracast And Steam Link Due to a weak Wi-Fi module. Before purchasing, check reviews for compatibility with your TV model.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it possible to connect a PC to a TV via Wi-Fi without a router?

Yes, if both devices support Wi-Fi Direct (Bluetooth analog for Wi-Fi). Turn on the TV Wi-Fi Direct, and on your PC, connect to the network it created. Then use Miracast or DLNA.

Restrictions:

• The speed will be lower than through a router.
• Not all TVs support Wi-Fi Direct (check the instructions).

❓ Why is there no sound when connecting via Miracast?

Most often this happens due to:

1. Outdated sound card drivers (update via device Manager).
2. Format mismatch: Miracast transmits audio in LPCM, and the TV is waiting Dolby DigitalSolution: In your PC's sound settings, select the format 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD).
3. Antivirus blocking (temporarily disable network protection).

❓ Which method is best for watching 4K movies?

For 4K HDR will do:

• DLNA - if the files are on the PC and the TV supports it HEVC (H.265).
• Chromecast built-in - if you have Android TV and stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
• HDMI cable - if you need maximum stability without compression.

Miracast And AirPlay in most cases limited 1080p.

❓ Is it possible to control a computer with a TV remote control?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• Through Steam Link — full support for gamepad and partial support for keyboard.
• Through branded applications (SmartThings, LG TV Plus) - only basic functions (arrows, OK, back).
• For full control, connect to TV Bluetooth keyboard or use TeamViewer on a smartphone.

❓ Why does the image lag even on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Possible causes and solutions:

Cause	Solution
Weak processor in TV	Reduce the resolution on your PC to 1280×720.
Interference from neighbors	In the router settings, select a free channel 5 GHz (for example, 36 or 149).
Low bitrate	IN Steam Link or Miracast install Bitrate on 20 Mbps.