How to Connect a TV to a Computer via Wi-Fi: 5 Proven Methods

Wirelessly connecting your TV to your computer via Wi-Fi opens up a wealth of possibilities, from streaming high-definition movies to playing games on the big screen. However, many users encounter compatibility issues, image lag, or setup difficulties. This article will help you understand all the nuances, from choosing the right protocol to troubleshooting common errors.

We will consider 5 main ways Connections: from standard Windows functions to specialized apps. You'll find out which method is best for your TV (Samsung, LG, Sony or Xiaomi), how to minimize delays when watching videos, and what to do if devices can't "see" each other. We'll pay special attention to setting up Miracast And DLNA — the most universal technologies for modern TVs.

Before you begin setting up, please check two key conditions: both devices must be connected to one Wi-Fi network (or the router must support WPS for a direct connection), and the computer has the latest drivers for the video card. If you are using a laptop, make sure the mode Airplane Mode disabled - it blocks all wireless connections.

1. Connecting via Miracast: A Universal Method for Windows 10/11

Miracast — is a wireless image transmission standard supported by most modern TVs and Windows starting with version 8.1. The main advantage of the method is minimal delays (up to 50 ms), which is critical for gaming or watching dynamic videos.

To activate Miracast on your TV, you usually need to:

1. Open Settings → Network → Miracast (or Screen Mirroring)
2. Enable connection standby mode
3. On the computer, click Win + K and select your TV from the list

On Samsung This function can be called Smart View, on LG — Screen Share, and on Sony — Miracast or Wireless DisplayIf your TV does not appear in the list of devices, check:

• 🔄 Are your video card drivers updated (especially important for Intel UHD Graphics)
• 📶 Does your router support the standard? 802.11ac (for stable 4K transmission)
• 🔒 Are firewalls disabled (sometimes they block Miracast)

⚠️ Note: On some laptops with hybrid graphics (NVIDIA Optimus or AMD SwitchableMiracast may be unstable. If this occurs, force switching to the discrete graphics card in the Graphics Control Panel.

For users Windows 11 An improved version of the protocol is available - Miracast over Infrastructure, which allows you to share your screen even if your devices are connected to different networks (provided your router supports it). To activate this mode, enter the following in the command line:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyVirtualNetwork key=YourPassword

2. Using DLNA: For lag-free media playback

If you only want to stream movies, music, or photos to your TV, rather than your entire computer screen, DLNA will be the optimal solution. This protocol is supported by all Smart TVs and allows for content streaming without loss of quality.

To set up DLNA on Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Network Settings → Advanced Sharing Settings
2. Turn on Sharing media files and select folders to share
3. Launch the app on your TV. Media player (or DLNA client)

Popular DLNA servers for PC include:

• 🖥️ Plex Media Server — with support for transcoding and cloud libraries
• 🎬 Kodi — for advanced users with plugins
• 📁 Built-in Windows Media Player — the simplest option

⚠️ Note: When using DLNA through a 2.4 GHz router, you may experience some lag when playing files with a bitrate higher than 20 Mbps. For 4K content, it is recommended to connect both devices to a 5 GHz network.

Disable VPN on PC

Add media folders to the Windows Media Player library

Check that the TV and PC are on the same subnet (mask 255.255.255.0)

Update your TV's firmware (especially for 2018-2020 models)

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3. Steam Link: Ideal for Gamers

If you want to play Steam- games on a big screen with minimal delays, application Steam Link — the best choice. It supports image transmission up to 4K@60Hz with a delay of everything 10-20 ms, which is comparable to a wired connection.

Setup instructions:

1. Install Steam Link on TV (available in Google Play For Android TV or as a built-in application on Samsung)
2. Run on PC Steam and go to Settings → Remote Play
3. Turn on Enable Remote Play and add the computer to the list of trusted devices
4. Connect the gamepad to your TV (via Bluetooth or USB)

For optimal performance:

• 🎮 Use a wired connection from your PC to the router (even if your TV is connected via Wi-Fi)
• 📶 Select the 5 GHz channel with a bandwidth of 80 MHz in the router settings
• 🖥️ In the settings Steam Link activate Hardware Encoding (video card required) NVIDIA 10 series or later)

Critical detail: When using Steam Link over Wi-Fi, input lag increases by 5-15 ms compared to a wired connection. For competitive games (CS2, Valorant), using an Ethernet adapter for your TV is recommended.

How to reduce latency in Steam Link?

1. In Steam Link settings, set Limit Bitrate 20-30 Mbps (this will reduce buffering)

2. Turn off Desktop Streaming if you only broadcast games

3. In the video card settings (NVIDIA Control Panel) enable Threaded Optimization for the game

4. Use QOS on your router to prioritize Steam traffic

4. Alternative apps: AirParrot, ApowerMirror, LetsView

If standard methods don't work, consider third-party programs. They often support additional features, such as screen recording or real-time annotations.

Comparison of popular apps:

For installation AirParrot (one of the most stable solutions):

1. Download and install the program on your PC from the official website
2. Launch the app and select your TV from the list
3. Specify the resolution in the settings 1920×1080 and frequency 60 Hz for smoothness
4. Activate the mode Game Mode to reduce delay

⚠️ Note: Free versions of applications (for example, LetsView) often add watermarks and limit the resolution to 720p. Full 4K resolution requires a paid license.

5. Wi-Fi Direct connection (without a router)

If you don't have a router or want to create a direct connection between your PC and TV, you can use the technology Wi-Fi DirectIt works similar to Bluetooth, but with greater bandwidth.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Activate the mode on your TV Wi-Fi Direct (in the network menu)
2. On your PC, open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi
3. Select the network whose name matches your TV model (for example, Samsung-UE55)
4. Enter the PIN code displayed on the TV screen

Advantages of Wi-Fi Direct:

• 🔗 No router required - devices connect directly
• 🛡️ More secure connection (WPA2 encryption)
• 📶 Less interference from other devices on the network

Restrictions:

• ⚠️ Maximum distance: 10 meters (versus 50 meters for regular Wi-Fi)
• ⚠️ Not all TVs support audio transmission via Wi-Fi Direct

6. Troubleshooting: What to do when nothing works

If your TV doesn't appear in the list of available devices or the connection keeps dropping, check the following:

Common mistakes and their solutions:

To diagnose Miracast issues in Windows:

1. Launch dxdiag in Windows search
2. Check the line Miracast in the section System Information
3. If the status Not Available, update your video card and Wi-Fi adapter drivers

For TVs Samsung Models produced in 2016-2018 may require manual activation of Miracast via the service menu:

Menu → Support → Contact Information → Enter the code 12345

⚠️ Note: On some models LG With WebOS 3.0 and below, Miracast only works when the VPN is disabled on the computer. This is due to the manufacturer's implementation of the protocol.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting a TV to a PC via Wi-Fi

Is it possible to connect an old TV without Smart TV?

Yes, but you will need an additional device:

• 📦 Android TV Box (For example, Xiaomi Mi Box S) - connects via HDMI
• 🖥️ Google Chromecast — for streaming via Wi-Fi
• 🔌 Wi-Fi adapter with HDMI (For example, Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)

The minimum price for such a solution is 2,000 rubles. Keep in mind that older TVs may not support resolutions higher than 1080p.

Which method is best for watching 4K movies?

For 4K content it is optimal to use DLNA with the following settings:

• 📶 Router with support 802.11ac (or Wi-Fi 6)
• 🖥️ The PC is connected to the router via Ethernet
• 📁 Files in format MKV with codec H.265 (HEVC)

Miracast for 4K only works at 30Hz, which may cause image stuttering.

Why is there no sound when connecting via Miracast?

Sound problems are usually related to:

• 🔊 Incompatible audio drivers (update Realtek Audio)
• 🎵 Windows settings (check Playback devices)
• 📵 TV limitations (some models only transmit sound via HDMI ARC)

Solution: In the Sound Control Panel, select Digital audio (HDMI) as the default device.

Is it possible to play online games via Wi-Fi connection?

Technically yes, but with some caveats:

• 🎮 For CS2, Valorant or Fortnite even a 30ms delay will be critical
• 📡 Better to use Steam Link with a wired connection of the PC to the router
• 🔌 The best option is a hybrid solution: Wi-Fi for TV + Ethernet for PC

For single player games (eg. The Witcher 3) the delay is not so important.

How to reduce lag when watching videos?

Ways to reduce lags:

• 📶 Switch to the 5 GHz frequency (channel 36-48)
• 🖥️ Reduce the resolution to 1080p in the broadcast settings
• 🔌 Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi while watching
• 📡 Enable it in your router settings QOS and set the priority for your PC

If you use Kodi, activate Adjust display refresh rate in the playback settings.