How to watch movies from a laptop on an LG TV via Wi-Fi: all the working methods

Stream movies from your laptop to your big TV screen LG Wi-Fi is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite content without the hassle of wires. However, not all users know that there are several methods for this: from built-in functions Smart Share And Miracast to third-party applications like Plex or KodiThe main thing is to set up the network correctly and choose the optimal method depending on the TV model and laptop operating system.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of wireless broadcasting, including step-by-step instructions for Windows 10/11 And macOS, and we'll also look at typical problems (lag, no sound, connection errors) and their solutions. If your TV LG supports Wi-Fi Direct or DLNA, you can set everything up in 5-10 minutes—without purchasing additional devices.

Before you begin, make sure both your laptop and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is critical for most methods, except Miracast, which operates using point-to-point technology. Also check your TV's firmware version: on older models LG (before 2016) may require an update to support modern protocols.

1. Preparing your laptop and LG TV for wireless streaming

Before setting up a connection, you need to complete a few basic steps to avoid common mistakes. Let's start by checking device and network compatibility.

Network requirements:

• 📶 Both devices must be connected to one Wi-Fi network (exception - Miracast, which creates a direct connection).
• 🔄 Recommended internet speed: not less than 10 Mbps for lag-free Full HD streaming. For 4K you'll need 25+ Mbps.
• 🔒 Disable the VPN on your laptop—it may be blocking local device discovery.

Checking LG TV compatibility:

• 📺 Models LG With webOS (2014 and newer) support DLNA, Miracast And Smart Share.
• 🔧 On TVs with NetCast (until 2013) available only DLNA via the app Smart Share.
• 🔄 Update your TV firmware: Settings → Support → Software Update.

On your laptop, check:

• 🪟 Windows 10/11: support Miracast is checked in Settings → System → Display → Advanced display settings (there should be an option called "Connect to a wireless display").
• 🍎 macOS: For AirPlay needed Apple TV or a TV with support AirPlay 2 (models LG 2019 and newer).

⚠️ Note: On some laptops with Intel processors Miracast It may not work due to outdated graphics card drivers. Update them via Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

2. Method 1: Miracast – direct connection without a router

Miracast — is a wireless screen sharing technology that works without a Wi-Fi connection. It's ideal if you don't have a router or want to minimize latency. However, not all models LG support this protocol out of the box.

How to enable Miracast on an LG TV:

1. Open Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Activate the option Miracast (on some models it is hidden in Screen → Wireless Display).
3. Remember the name of the TV (for example, LG_OLED55C1).

Connecting from a laptop (Windows 10/11):

1. Click Win + K (or Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
2. Find the name of your TV in the list. LG and select it.
3. Confirm the connection on your TV (you may be asked to enter a PIN code).

If your TV does not appear in the list:

• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 🔧 Update your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter drivers.
• 📵 Make sure that the power saving mode on your TV is turned off (Settings → General → Eco Mode).

⚠️ Caution: When using Miracast on laptops with NVIDIA or AMD Your graphics cards may experience audio lag. Solution: Disable "Power Saving Optimization" in the Graphics Control Panel.

Update your laptop's Wi-Fi and video adapter drivers.

Enable Wi-Fi Direct on your LG TV

Disable VPN and firewall on your laptop

Make sure the TV and laptop are no more than 5 meters away-->

3. Method 2: DLNA – streaming media files over a local network

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows you to stream movies, music, and photos from your laptop to your TV. LG without screen mirroring. This method is suitable for viewing pre-downloaded files, but does not support streaming from a browser or applications (e.g., Netflix).

Setup on LG TV:

1. Open the app Smart Share (located in the menu Home → All Apps).
2. Select DLNA and activate the option Turn on the server.
3. Remember the server name (eg. LG_SMARTTV).

Setting up on a laptop (Windows):

• 📁 Open Conductor, find the folder with movies, right-click → Transfer to device → select TV LG.
• 🎬 Alternative: Use the built-in Media streaming (Settings → Network & Internet → Media Streaming).

For macOS third-party software will be required, for example Plex Media Server or KodiThese programs create a DLNA server to which the TV connects.

File formats supported by DLNA on LG TV:

• 🎥 Video: MP4, MKV, AVI (with codecs) H.264, MPEG-4).
• 🔊 Audio: MP3, AAC, WMA.
• 🖼️ Images: JPEG, PNG, BMP.

⚠️ Attention: Televisions LG do not support DLNA for files with higher resolution 4K or with codecs H.265 (HEVC)For such files, use Plex with transcoding.

What should I do if my TV can't see files via DLNA?

1. Make sure the files are in a folder that is shared (in Properties → Access).

2. Rename the files by removing special characters from the name (for example, !, #, Cyrillic).

3. Make sure that the TV is set to Smart Share mode is on All devices (not only Only famous ones).

4. Reboot your router - sometimes the DHCP server does not assign IP addresses to DLNA devices correctly.

4. Method 3: Smart Share – a proprietary solution from LG

Application Smart Share - This is a branded tool from LG, which combines functions DLNA And Miracast in one interface. It is pre-installed on all TVs with webOS and allows you to stream content from both PCs and mobile devices.

How to use Smart Share:

1. Open on your TV Smart Share from the main menu.
2. Select source: Computer (For DLNA) or Wireless display (For Miracast).
3. On your laptop, start file transfer or screen mirroring (depending on the selected mode).

Smart Share Features:

• 🔄 Supports streaming with pause and rewind (unlike the standard one) DLNA).
• 📱 You can control playback from your phone via the app LG TV Plus.
• 🔊 Automatically synchronizes audio and video (important for movies with external subtitles).

If Smart Share can't find laptop:

• 🔧 Check that the PC is enabled Network discovery (Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings).
• 🔒 Disable your antivirus—it may be blocking DLNA traffic.
• 📡 Reconnect the TV to the Wi-Fi network (sometimes changing the router channel helps) Auto to a fixed one, for example, 6 or 11).

5. Method 4: Streaming apps (Plex, Kodi, VLC)

If built-in methods aren't suitable (for example, due to format limitations or latency), use third-party apps. They offer more features, such as on-the-fly transcoding, subtitle support, and media library creation.

Plex Media Server:

• 📥 Install Plex on the laptop (official website).
• 📂 Add movie folders to your library.
• 📺 On TV LG install the application Plex from LG Content Store and connect to your server.

Kodi:

• 🖥️ Set up on your laptop Kodi as a DLNA server (Settings → Services → UPnP/DLNA).
• 📺 Open on your TV Smart Share and select Kodi as a source.

VLC:

• 🎧 In VLC open on your laptop Playback → Stream and select DLNA.
• 🔍 On your TV, find the stream in Smart Share.

⚠️ Caution: When using Plex On low-end laptops, 4K transcoding can cause overheating. Limit the number of simultaneously transcoding streams in your server settings.

6. Method 5: Chromecast or Apple TV for universal streaming

If your TV LG does not support the required protocols or you want a more stable connection, use external devices:

• 📱 Google Chromecast (connects to HDMI port, works with Windows/macOS via browser Chrome).
• 🍎 Apple TV (for owners MacBook or iPhone, supports AirPlay).

How to stream via Chromecast:

1. Connect Chromecast to the TV and set it up through the app Google Home.
2. Open a browser on your laptop. Chrome, go to the website with the movie (for example, YouTube or Kinopoisk).
3. Click the icon Transmit (or Cast) and select yours Chromecast.

Advantages of external devices:

• 🔄 More stable than built-in protocols LG (less lags).
• 🌐 Supports streaming from any site (including Netflix, Disney+).
• 🎮 Can be used for games (for example, Stadia or Xbox Cloud Gaming).

Disadvantage: additional costs for purchasing the device (from 3,000 ₽ for Chromecast).

7. Solving typical broadcast problems

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem: The TV does not detect the laptop.

• 🔧 Check that both devices are on the same network (on TV: Settings → Network → Network Status).
• 🔄 Reboot your router (sometimes DHCP doesn't assign IP addresses for DLNA).
• 🛡️ Disable the firewall on your laptop or add an exception for it DLNA.

Problem: Video slows down or chops.

• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi speed: for Full HD you need at least 10 Mbps (use Speedtest).
• 🔌 Connect your TV to your router via cable (if possible).
• 🎞️ Reduce video resolution (e.g. from 4K to 1080p) or bitrate.

Problem: No sound during broadcast.

• 🔊 On your laptop, make sure the TV is selected in the sound settings LG as an output device.
• 🎧 If you use Miracast, try changing the audio format in Control Panel → Sound → Properties → Advanced (select 16 bit, 44100 Hz).
• 🔄 Restart the broadcast - sometimes the sound is picked up after reconnecting.

Problem: Black screen when using Miracast.

• 🖥️ Update your laptop's video adapter drivers.
• 🔧 In Windows display settings, select the mode Duplicate instead of Expand.
• 📺 Turn off the TV Energy saving (Settings → General → Eco Mode).

⚠️ Warning: On TVs LG With webOS 4.0 and below may not be supported Miracast for laptops with AMD graphics. In this case, use DLNA or Chromecast.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to stream Netflix from a laptop to an LG TV via Wi-Fi?

Yes, but not in all ways:

• Miracast And DLNA do not support protected content (DRM). Use Chromecast or screen mirroring via Windows + K (but quality may be reduced due to DRM restrictions).
• The best option is to run Netflix directly on the TV via the built-in application.

Why is there a large audio lag when streaming via Miracast?

Audio delay is typical for Miracast due to data compression. Solutions:

• In your laptop's sound settings, select the format Stereo instead of 5.1.
• Use an external audio output (for example, connect the speakers to the TV via HDMI ARC or Optical).
• Switch to DLNA (if you are broadcasting a file and not a screen).

How to mirror your MacBook screen to LG TV?

For macOS The following methods are available:

• AirPlay: works on TVs LG 2019 and newer (include in Settings → General → AirPlay).
• Chromecast: via browser Chrome (icon Cast).
• Plex or Kodi: to broadcast media files over DLNA.

Miracast on MacBook not supported - use alternatives.

Is it possible to stream games from a laptop to an LG TV via Wi-Fi?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• For Miracast Only simple games are suitable (latency ~50–100 ms).
• For serious gaming use Steam Link (requires connecting the TV to the PC via a network) or Moonlight (For NVIDIA video cards).
• The best option is a wired connection HDMI or USB-C.

How to improve Wi-Fi streaming quality?

Follow these tips:

• 📶 Switch your router to a different range 5 GHz (less interference).
• 🔌 Connect your TV to your router via cable (if possible).
• 📵 Reduce the distance between devices (maximum 5 meters for Miracast).
• 🔧 Enable it in your router settings QoS (Quality of Service) and set the priority for the TV.