How to Mirror Your Laptop Screen to a TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Wirelessly streaming your laptop screen to your TV via Wi-Fi is a convenient way to show a presentation, movie, or game without the hassle of wires. However, not everyone knows that there are several technologies for this, each with its own rules. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods: from built-in Miracast to proprietary solutions Samsung Smart View And Apple AirPlay.

The main difference between wireless and wired (via HDMI) transmission is the absence of signal lag when configured correctly. However, there are some pitfalls: not all TVs support modern standards, and older models may require additional adapters. We'll help you figure out which method is best for your device.

Important: If you have an older TV without Smart TV, first check if it supports DLNA or Miracast — this information is usually included in the instructions. If not, no problem: at the end of the article, we'll tell you how to bypass this limitation using inexpensive consoles.

1. Checking the compatibility of your laptop and TV

Before setting up a connection, make sure your devices support wireless broadcasting. Modern laptops Windows 10/11 And macOS almost always equipped with the necessary modules, but with TVs the situation is more complicated.

The main standards to look for in TV specifications are:

• 🔹 Miracast — a universal protocol for Windows and Android (supported on most Smart TVs after 2015)
• 🍎 AirPlay - Apple's proprietary technology (works only with Apple TV or TVs with AirPlay 2 support)
• 📺 Google Cast — for streaming from Chrome or Android to TVs with Android TV or Google TV
• 🌐 DLNA — an outdated standard for transferring media files (not suitable for screen mirroring)

To check support on your TV:

1. Open the menu Settings → Network → Wireless Projection (name may differ)
2. Look for options like "Screen Mirroring," "Wi-Fi Direct," or "AirPlay."
3. On a Windows laptop, press Win + K - If a list of devices for connection appears, then Miracast is supported

⚠️ Please note: Some manufacturers (eg. LG) block Miracast on their TVs, offering proprietary apps instead. In this case, use the alternative methods in the following sections.

2. Method 1: Miracast (for Windows and Android)

Miracast — the most universal wireless streaming method, working on most modern devices. It's built into Windows 8.1/10/11 and many Android smartphones. The main requirement is that both devices must support this standard.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Make sure your laptop and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your TV, activate the signal reception mode (usually in the "Screen Mirroring" or "Wi-Fi Direct" menu)
3. On a laptop, press Win + K or open Settings → System → Project to this PC
4. Select your TV from the list of available devices.
5. Confirm the connection on both devices

If Miracast doesn't work:

• 🔄 Update your laptop's wireless adapter drivers via device Manager
• 📡 Make sure your TV and laptop are within 5 meters of each other
• 🛠️ On some laptops Intel You need to enable Miracast in the BIOS (section "Wireless Display")

Update your Wi-Fi adapter driver|Connect both devices to the same network|Activate Screen Mirroring on your TV|Check the distance between the devices|Restart your router if you have connection issues-->

3. Method 2: AirPlay for Apple devices

If you have a laptop MacBook or a TV with support AirPlay 2 (For example, Apple TV 4K or modern models Samsung/LG), this method will provide the most stable connection with minimal latency.

How to connect:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (5 GHz recommended)
2. On Mac, open System Preferences → Monitors
3. In the "AirPlay Display" drop-down menu, select your TV.
4. If required, enter the confirmation code that appears on the TV screen

AirPlay Features:

• 🎮 Supports screen mirroring with resolution up to 4K HDR (on supported devices)
• 🔊 Allows you to stream audio separately from video (useful for music apps)
• 🔒 Encrypts transmitted data, which is important for privacy

⚠️ Note: On TVs without built-in AirPlay (e.g. most models Xiaomi) an external set-top box will be required Apple TV (price from 8,000 ₽). This is the only official way to receive support for the technology.

4. Method 3: Google Cast (Chromecast and Android TV)

Google Cast — the technology underlying the devices Chromecast and built into TVs with Android TV/Google TVIt allows you to broadcast not only your screen, but also individual browser tabs or applications.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. Install the extension Google Cast for the Chrome browser
2. Connect Chromecast to your TV and set it up using the app Google Home
3. In the Chrome browser, click the Cast icon (upper right corner)
4. Select the "Cast" tab and select your Chromecast
5. To broadcast your entire screen, select "Broadcast Desktop"

Limitations of the method:

• 🖥️ When broadcasting a browser tab, a frame and address bar will be visible
• 🎮 The delay can reach 1-2 seconds (not suitable for gaming)
• 📶 Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection (5 GHz is best)

For Android smartphones, the process is even simpler:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → Cast
2. Select your Chromecast or Android TV from the list
3. Confirm the connection on your TV

5. Method 4: Manufacturer's proprietary applications

Many brands are developing their own wireless streaming solutions. These are often more stable than universal protocols, but are tied to specific models.

Popular apps:

• 📺 Samsung Smart View — for Samsung TVs (works with Windows/macOS/Android)
• 🎯 LG Screen Share — an alternative to Miracast for LG TVs (requires software installation on a PC)
• 🖥️ Sony Video & TV SideView — for Sony devices with DLNA support
• 🍎 Apple TV — for the Apple ecosystem (requires a set-top box)

Example of setup Samsung Smart View:

1. Download the app from the official website Samsung
2. Connect your laptop and TV to the same Wi-Fi network
3. Launch Smart View on your laptop and select your TV from the list.
4. In the application menu, specify the signal source (screen or separate application)

⚠️ Please note: Branded apps often require you to register a manufacturer account (for example, Samsung Account or LG Account). Without this, some features may not be available.

6. Method 5: Alternative solutions for old TVs

If your TV doesn't support any of the standards listed above, don't despair. There are several workarounds:

Option 1: Wi-Fi adapter with Miracast support

• 🔌 Device examples: Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, ScreenBeam Mini2
• 💰 Cost: from 2,000 to 5,000 ₽
• ⚡ Connects to your TV's HDMI port and creates its own Wi-Fi network

Option 2: Android TV box

• 📦 Examples: Xiaomi Mi Box S, Nvidia Shield TV
• 🎮 Allows you to use Google Cast and install any broadcasting apps
• 🔧 Requires setup, but provides maximum flexibility

Option 3: Wired adapter + software solution

• 🖧 Connect your laptop to your TV via HDMI, then use programs like SpaceDesk or Duet Display for wireless control
• 🔄 This method reduces the load on Wi-Fi, but requires an initial wired connection

Important: When using external adapters, check whether they support your TV's resolution. For example, cheap Chinese adapters are often limited. 1080p, even if the TV supports 4K.

7. Connection optimization: how to reduce latency and lag

Even with a successful connection, you may experience image lag or interruptions in the stream. Here's how to avoid this:

Router settings:

• 📶 Switch to range 5 GHz (less crowded than 2.4 GHz)
• 🔄 Turn on the mode WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) in the router settings
• 📊 Set a fixed channel instead of "Auto" (use a Wi-Fi analyzer to select the least crowded one)

Device settings:

• 🖥️ On your laptop, disable background applications that consume internet (torrents, cloud syncs)
• 📺 On your TV, lower the broadcast resolution to 1080p, if you experience lags in 4K
• 🔋 Connect your laptop to a power source—saving power can reduce Wi-Fi performance

8. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with proper setup, problems can still arise. Here are the most common errors and how to fix them:

"The device does not support Miracast."

• 🔧 Check if the feature is enabled in the laptop's BIOS (section "Wireless Display")
• 🔄 Update your Wi-Fi adapter driver via device Manager
• 💻 Older laptops may require installation Intel Wireless Display

"No sound during broadcast"

• 🔊 Check if the TV is selected as the default playback device (right-click on the sound icon in the tray)
• 🎧 On some TVs, you need to manually enable HDMI audio output (ARC)
• 🔄 Restart your stream—sometimes the sound appears after reconnecting

"The image is lagging or choppy."

• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi network (turn off other devices)
• 🖥️ Lower the broadcast resolution in the Miracast/AirPlay settings
• 🔌 Plug your laptop into a power source—saving power can limit performance.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

sudo apt install gnome-network-displays

sudo apt install mkchromecast