Modern multimedia capabilities LG Smart TV Allows you to transform regular TV viewing into a full-fledged home theater experience if you properly set up content transmission from your computer. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi Eliminates the need to run long HDMI cables across the room, preserving the aesthetic appearance of the interior. This solution is ideal for displaying family vacation photos, watching high-definition movies, or even playing games with low latency.
The setup process may vary depending on your operating system version. webOS, installed on your TV, as well as the version of Windows on your computer. Wireless transmission technologies Data networks are evolving rapidly, and older methods may differ from new interfaces. In this article, we'll explore current connection methods, including built-in Windows features and native LG apps.
It's worth noting that connection stability directly depends on the quality of your wireless network and the distance between the router and devices. If you plan to stream video in 4K or HDR, make sure your router supports the range 5 GHzThis will ensure the required channel bandwidth without jerks and buffering.
Preparatory stage and network requirements
Before you start pairing devices, you need to make sure that both gadgets are in the same network conditions. Computer And The LG TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi access point. If your router broadcasts networks on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies with different names (SSIDs), connect both devices to one of them, preferably 5 GHz for high speed.
It's important to check your Windows sharing settings. Users often forget that by default, the system can block discovery of other devices on a public network. You need to switch the network profile to "Private" to allow discovery.
⚠️ Attention: If you have a third-party antivirus or firewall installed, it may be blocking the DLNA connection. Temporarily disable the protection or add an exception for the media server if the connection fails.
Also, make sure your TV's firmware is up to date. The manufacturer regularly releases patches to improve the module's stability. Wi-Fi and compatibility with new protocols. You can check for updates in the settings menu by selecting General → About TV → Software Update.
Using Connect to a Wireless Display in Windows
The fastest way to display an image from your computer screen LG Smart TV — Use the built-in Miracast technology, which in Windows 10 and 11 is called "Connect to a Wireless Display." This method allows you to cast your entire desktop or extend it to a larger screen without the need for additional cables.
To get started, press the key combination Win + K on the keyboard. The system will begin searching for available devices. If your LG TV is turned on and connected to the same network, it should appear in the list. Some TV models may require connection confirmation via a pop-up window on the screen.
- 📺 Click the button Input on your TV remote and select the "Screen Share" or "Connect to a wireless display" source.
- 💻 On your computer, in the list that appears, find the name of your LG TV and click on it.
- 🔗 Accept the connection request if it appears on the TV screen.
Once paired, you can choose the operating mode: screen mirroring or desktop extension. In extension mode, the TV becomes a second monitor onto which you can drag browser or video player windows. This is especially convenient for presenting presentations or watching videos in the background.
☑️ Check before connecting Miracast
Setting up DLNA using standard Windows tools
If your goal is not screen mirroring, but playing specific files (video, music, photos) stored on your PC's hard drive, it is better to use the protocol DLNAIn the Windows operating system, this feature is implemented through "Media Streaming." This allows the TV to view the computer as a network storage device.
To activate, open Settings → Network & Internet → Sharing Options. Under All Networks, find Media Streaming and enable it. In the window that opens, you'll see a list of devices on the network. Find yours. LG Smart TV and make sure that the "Allowed" box is checked next to it.
Now you need to launch the “Photos and Videos” or “LG Photos” application on your TV, which is usually pre-installed in the system. webOSIn the source menu, select your computer. You'll gain access to your default shared media folders (Videos, Music, Pictures).
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Impact on quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | DLNA / UPnP | DLNA | Buffering stability |
| Video resolution | Auto | 1920x1080 or higher | Picture clarity |
| Audio format | Compressed (MP3/AAC) | Uncompressed (WAV/FLAC) | Sound quality |
| Net | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | Transfer speed |
The main advantage of this method is that playback controls (pause, rewind, and volume) are controlled using the TV remote, which is much more convenient than running to the computer. However, navigating the file system via the TV interface may not be as fast as on a PC.
LG TV Plus and Smart Share app
LG has developed its own software to improve interaction between mobile devices, computers and TVs. The application LG TV Plus (formerly known as LG Smart Share) is available for download in the Microsoft Store. It offers deeper control over media files than the standard Windows player.
After installing the program on your computer, launch it and follow the instructions to search for your TV. The application will automatically detect it. LG Smart TV on a local network. The program's interface is adapted for remote control, allowing you to use your smartphone or keyboard as a touchpad.
What should I do if the app doesn't detect the TV?
If LG TV Plus doesn't detect your TV, try temporarily disabling your antivirus. Also, make sure AP Isolation isn't enabled in your router settings, which prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other. Restarting the router can sometimes help.
This software not only lets you stream videos, but also take screenshots of your TV screen on your computer and control YouTube or Netflix playback on your TV. This turns your PC into a powerful remote control with content preview capabilities.
⚠️ Attention: The LG TV Plus app interface may vary depending on the model year of your TV. Newer models with webOS 6.0 and higher may have limited functionality compared to older versions.
Broadcasting via Google Chrome browser
A universal solution that does not require installation of additional software from LG is a browser Google ChromeIt has built-in Chromecast functionality, which allows you to cast a browser tab or the entire screen to any TV that supports Casting technology (which is found on most modern Smart TVs).
Open the Chrome browser on your computer. Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the menu and select "Cast." In the window that appears, select "Sources" and specify what you want to cast: a tab, desktop, or file. Then select your LG TV from the list of devices.
This method is especially useful for watching online video from websites that don't have a built-in streaming button or block it. The browser captures the video stream and sends it to the TV, offloading the computer's processor. Image quality depends on the PC's performance and Wi-Fi speed.
Third-party streaming software: Plex and Kodi
For users with a large collection of movies and TV series, the best solution is to install a media server. Programs like Plex or Kodi (formerly XBMC) create a beautiful interface with cover art, descriptions, and trailers, turning your collection into your own personal Netflix.
Install the server portion of the program (e.g., Plex Media Server) on your computer and specify the folders where your files are stored. The program will automatically download movie metadata. On your LG TV, download the Plex client app from the LG Content Store.
- 🍿 Plex offers a beautiful interface and the ability to remotely access files outside the home.
- 🎬 Kodi — is a completely free platform with a huge number of plugins and settings for advanced users.
- 📡 Emby — an alternative to Plex that combines flexible customization and ease of use.
Using a media server reduces the load on the TV's processor, as large files can be transcoded (recoded on the fly) by a powerful computer into a format the TV can understand. This solves issues with playing files with non-standard codecs or high bitrates.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Even if you follow all the instructions, technical difficulties may arise. One common issue is audio and video desynchronization. This can often be resolved by changing the audio output settings in Windows or selecting a different audio codec in the player settings on the TV.
If the connection keeps dropping, check your Wi-Fi signal strength. The TV may be too far from the router, or the signal may be blocked by metal structures. In such cases, using a Wi-Fi repeater or switching to a wired LAN connection, if your TV model supports it, can help.
⚠️ Attention: The technical specifications of wireless modules in TVs may be inferior to those of computers. If your PC sees a 5 GHz network but your TV doesn't, it's possible that your TV only supports the 802.11n (2.4 GHz) standard. Check the official specifications for your model on the manufacturer's website.
It's also worth remembering about drivers. An outdated Wi-Fi adapter driver on your computer can cause Miracast instability. Update your drivers through Device Manager or the motherboard manufacturer's website.
Why is high definition video lagging?
Slow playback of 4K video is often caused not by the TV's power consumption, but by the computer's low hard drive write speed or a weak Wi-Fi connection. Try lowering the video bitrate or switching to an HDMI cable for these files.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a computer to an LG TV without a router?
Yes, this is possible using Wi-Fi Direct technology. In this case, the TV automatically creates a network to which the computer connects. However, data transfer speeds may be lower, and functionality is limited to media file transfer; internet access will not be streamed to the TV via the PC.
Why doesn't the computer see the TV in the list of devices?
Most often, the problem stems from different network profiles. Make sure the network status on both devices is set to "Private" and not "Public." Also, check if your antivirus software is blocking network discovery.
What is the minimum Wi-Fi speed required for 4K video?
For stable playback of 4K content without buffering, a local network speed of at least 25-30 Mbps is recommended. However, to ensure a comfortable reserve and allow for signal loss, a channel speed of at least 100 Mbps in the 5 GHz band is recommended.
Does sound work over a Wi-Fi connection?
Yes, when using Miracast or DLNA, audio is transmitted along with the video stream. You can output audio to a home theater system connected to your TV or use the TV's built-in speakers. Sound quality depends on the supported codecs (AAC, MP3, Dolby Digital).