Wirelessly streaming images from a computer to a TV via Wi-Fi has become a standard solution for home entertainment, presentations, and even work. However, not all users are aware of the existence of at least 5 different technologies For such communications, there are options ranging from built-in Windows functions to specialized applications. Each has its own limitations in terms of signal latency, supported resolutions, and hardware requirements.
In this article we will look at All current methods for connecting a PC to a TV via Wi-Fi taking into account modern standards Wi-Fi 6/6E And HDMI 2.1, as well as typical problems like video stuttering, lack of sound or the inability to detect devices. We will pay special attention Hidden Windows 11 settings that allow you to bypass the Miracast limitation for older video cards.
1. Preparing the equipment: what you need to check before connecting
Before attempting to connect a PC and TV, make sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements. The main bottlenecks are: Wi-Fi version on the router and hardware support on the computer side.
For example, for Miracast (the most common protocol) your PC must support Wi-Fi Direct, and the TV must have a function Screen Mirroring or Wireless DisplayIf you have a desktop computer without built-in Wi-Fi, you will need USB adapter with Miracast support (For example, TP-Link Archer T3U Plus or ASUS USB-AC56).
- 📋 TV requirements: Smart TV on Android TV, webOS (LG), Tizen (Samsung) or Google TV With Miracast/DLNA support. Released no earlier than 2018.
- 💻 PC requirements: Windows 10/11 (version 20H2 and later), macOS 10.15+, Linux with installed
gstreamerAndpulseaudioA video card with drivers no older than 2021. - 📡 Router requirements: Standard
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)or newer, frequency5 GHz(required for Miracast!). Connection speed not lower than300 Mbps.
⚠️ Note: If your TV was released before 2017, please check for firmware updates. For example, Samsung Series J (2016) does not officially support Miracast, but after a manual update via USB it may work with limitations.
| Technology | Minimum Wi-Fi speed | Supported resolution | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | 150 Mbps | 1920×1080 @ 30 Hz | 50–100 |
| DLNA (streaming video) | 50 Mbps | 3840×2160 @ 24 Hz | 200–500 |
| Steam Link | 300 Mbps | 2560×1440 @ 60 Hz | 20–40 |
| AirPlay (Apple) | 200 Mbps | 3840×2160 @ 60 Hz | 30–60 |
2. Method 1: Miracast (Wireless Display) - a built-in solution for Windows
Miracast — is a wireless screen sharing standard supported by all modern versions of Windows and most Smart TVs. Its main advantage is no need for a router: devices connect directly via protocol Wi-Fi Direct.
To activate Miracast on PC:
- Click
Win + K(or openSettings → System → Project to this PC). - Select Connect to a wireless display.
- In the list of available devices, find your TV (the model name is usually displayed with a prefix Samsung_, LG_ etc.).
Turn on the function on your TV Screen Mirroring (on Samsung — Smart View, on LG — Miracast). If the device is not found, try:
- 🔄 Restart both devices.
- 📶 Switch Wi-Fi on PC with
2.4 GHzon5 GHz(or vice versa). - 🔧 Update your graphics card drivers via DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller).
⚠️ Attention: On laptops with hybrid graphics (Intel + NVIDIA/AMD) Miracast may not work if the integrated chip is enabled in the power saving settings. Switch to the discrete card inNVIDIA Control PanelorAMD Radeon Software.
Make sure your TV and PC are on the same network|Disable the VPN on your PC|Check that Screen Mirroring is enabled on your TV|Update your Wi-Fi adapter drivers-->
3. Method 2: DLNA - Media Streaming
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for transmitting photos, videos and music over a local network. Unlike Miracast, it doesn't mirror the screen, but only streams media. It's suitable for watching movies, but not for gaming or working with documents.
To set up DLNA:
- On your TV, open the app
Media player,Photos & Videosor similar (on Sony Bravia —Video & TV SideView). - On your PC, turn on media sharing:
Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings → Turn on media streaming - Select the folders containing the files you want to stream (e.g.
C:\Users\Name\Videos).
DLNA limitations:
- ❌ No support
4K HDRon most TVs. - ❌ Sound delay up to 0.5 seconds (critical for films with subtitles).
- ❌ Not all video formats are supported (for example,
.mkvWithDTS- sound may not be reproduced).
How to convert videos for DLNA without losing quality?
Use HandBrake with preset "Android Tablet" — it optimizes the file for most Smart TVs. Important settings:
- Codecs: H.264 (AVC) for video, AAC for sound.
- Resolution: not higher 1920×1080 (even if the TV supports 4K).
- Bitrate: up to 10 Mbps for stable Wi-Fi transmission.
4. Method 3: Steam Link – for gamers and powerful PCs
If you need play on TV with minimal delay, Steam Link — the best choice. The technology uses Valve's own protocol, optimized for high frame rate image transmission.
Setup instructions:
- Install Steam on PC and Steam Link on TV (available in Google Play For Android TV or as a built-in application on Samsung Gaming Hub).
- Connect a gamepad (for example, Xbox Controller or DualSense) to the TV via Bluetooth.
- In the settings Steam turn on on PC
Settings → Remote Play → Enable Remote Play. - Launch Steam Link on TV and select your computer from the list.
For stable operation:
- 🎮 Use a wired connection from your PC to the router (even if your TV is connected via Wi-Fi).
- 📶 Set up
QoSon the router, prioritizing traffic Steam. - 🔧 In the settings Steam Link select
Speed Priorityand limit the bitrate to20 Mbps(if the router does not supportWi-Fi 6).
5. Method 4: AirPlay for Apple and compatible TV owners
AirPlay - this is an exclusive technology Apple, but since 2020, many TVs support it Android TV And webOS (For example, LG OLED C2 or Sony X90J). The main advantage is 4K HDR support and minimal delay.
How to connect:
- Make sure your PC and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- On Mac: open
Control Center → Screen Mirrorand select TV. - On Windows: install iTunes And Bonjour, then use 5KPlayer or ApowerMirror to emulate AirPlay.
Restrictions:
- 🍎 On Windows, AirPlay only works with sound, screen mirroring requires third-party programs.
- 🔒 Some TV models (for example, Samsung QLED) support AirPlay only for media files, but not for mirroring.
⚠️ Note: When using AirPlay on Windows via ApowerMirror quality4Kimpossible to achieve - maximum resolution is limited1080pdue to software limitations.
6. Method 5: Applications from TV manufacturers (Smart View, LG TV Plus)
Major brands offer their own wireless connectivity solutions. For example:
- 📺 Samsung Smart View - works only with TVs Samsung 2016 and newer.
- 📺 LG TV Plus - supports
Miracastand file streaming via DLNA. - 📺 Sony Video & TV SideView - optimized for Bravia With Google TV.
General connection algorithm:
- Download the official app for your TV model from the manufacturer's website.
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- In the app, select the option
Connect to TVor«Screen Mirroring».
Advantages of proprietary solutions:
- ✅ Optimized for specific models (for example, Samsung Smart View automatically adjusts the color profile to suit QLED).
- ✅ Support
3D content(relevant for old people) Sony Bravia).
7. Troubleshooting: Why the PC can't see the TV via Wi-Fi
If the connection fails, please check the following:
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The TV does not appear in the list of devices | Disabled Wi-Fi Direct on TV |
Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct and turn it on |
| The connection is lost after 10-30 seconds | Weak Wi-Fi signal | Move the router closer or use Mesh system |
| No sound during broadcast | The wrong audio output is selected on the PC | IN Control Panel → Sound set as default device Digital audio (HDMI) |
| The video is slow or blurry | Low Wi-Fi bitrate | Switch to 5 GHz or reduce the resolution to 1280×720 |
To diagnose network problems on your PC:
- Open
Command line(Win + R → cmd). - Run the command:
ping [TV IP address]If packets are lost (>5%), the problem is with the router or interference.
8. Comparison of methods: which one to choose for your needs
The choice of technology depends on your goal:
- 🎮 Games: Steam Link or Moonlight (For NVIDIA GPU).
- 🎬 Movies: DLNA (if you only need a video) or Miracast (for screen duplication).
- 🖥️ Work/presentations: Miracast or AirPlay (for macOS).
- 📱 Mobile devices: Google Cast (For Android) or Apple TV (For iPhone).
If you need maximum quality, consider a hybrid option: wired connection of a PC to a router + Wi-Fi for TVThis will reduce latency and improve stability.
⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Android TV 12 and newer built-in Chromecast may conflict with Miracast. Disable it in developer options (Settings → About TV → Build number - press 7 times to unlock).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting a PC to a TV via Wi-Fi
Is it possible to connect an old TV (2012-2015) via Wi-Fi?
Yes, but it will be required external adapter like Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick or Xiaomi Mi TV StickThese devices connect to HDMI-port and add support Miracast/DLNAPlease note that on TVs without HDMI ARC The sound will only be transmitted through the TV speakers.
Why does the picture break when connecting via Miracast?
This is a typical problem when using Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) or an overloaded channel 2.4 GHzSolutions:
- Switch the router to
5 GHz(channel 36-48 for minimal interference). - Reduce your PC screen resolution to
1280×720. - Disconnect other devices from the network (especially IoT gadgets like smart lamps).
How to stream a PC screen to a TV if they are on different networks?
For this you need intermediate services like TeamViewer, AnyDesk or ParsecHowever, there will be a delay. 100–300 ms, which is unacceptable for games. The alternative is VPN server on the router (for example, WireGuard), but this requires configuring ports.
Can I use Wi-Fi 6E to connect?
Technically yes, but most apps (including Miracast) compatibility with is required 5 GHz. Steam Link And Moonlight can use 6 GHz, but only if the router supports it 160 MHz channels. Check the settings in 192.168.1.1 (or another IP of your router).
How do I enable sound via HDMI over a wireless connection?
By default, Windows routes audio to your primary audio device. To redirect it to your TV:
- Click
Win + I → System → Sound. - In the section
ConclusionSelect the device with the name of your TV (for example, Samsung-6-Series (NVIDIA High Definition Audio)). - If the device is not displayed, update your sound card drivers.