Modern technologies allow you to turn your TV into a full-fledged multimedia center, and LG Smart TV Here, it takes the lead. Users often wonder how to display images from a laptop or desktop PC on a large screen without unnecessary cables. This is especially relevant for watching movies, giving presentations, or displaying high-resolution photos.
There are several proven ways to establish a connection using only home Wi-Fi networkThe main technologies used here are the Miracast (WiDi) standard and LG's proprietary software. The choice of a specific method depends on your computer's operating system, TV model, and the required video stream quality.
In this article, we'll detail every step required for a successful connection. You'll learn about the nuances of router setup, driver features, and troubleshooting common errors. Connection stability directly depends on the correctness of the initial settings of both devices.
Preparing equipment and network
Before you start pairing devices, you need to make sure that your local network is ready to transmit a heavy video stream. Wi-Fi router must support the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard or later to ensure minimal latency. If you use the 2.4 GHz frequency, image stuttering may occur, so it is preferable to switch to 5 GHz.
Both devices—the computer and the TV—must be connected to the same network. Users often make the mistake of connecting the PC to a guest network or the 5 GHz band while leaving the TV on the 2.4 GHz band, making them "invisible" to each other. Check the network name (SSID) in the settings of both devices.
⚠️ Note: Some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks have client isolation, which prevents devices from seeing each other. Under these conditions, screen sharing is not possible without changing networks.
It's also worth updating your TV's software. Go to the menu Settings → All settings → Support → Software update and check for new versions. Outdated firmware WebOS may not work correctly with new Windows security protocols.
Using the built-in Windows feature (Miracast)
The easiest and fastest way is to use the native "Connect" feature in Windows 10 and 11. This technology is based on the standard Miracast, which is supported by most modern LG TVs. You won't need to install third-party software if your graphics card drivers are installed correctly.
To get started, press the signal source selection button on your TV remote control. From the list that appears, select Screen Share or "Connecting to a Wi-Fi-enabled device." A waiting-for-connection screen will appear.
Now go to your computer. Press the key combination Win + K on the keyboard. The "Connection" panel will appear on the right, where the system will begin searching for available displays. Find the name of your display in the list. LG TV and click on it.
- 📺 A connection confirmation message will appear on the TV screen - select "Accept" or "Allow."
- 💻 Once connected, you can choose the operating mode: screen mirroring or desktop extension.
- 🎮 For games, the "Second Screen Only" mode is recommended to reduce the load on the system.
If the connection takes a long time to establish or is interrupted, try updating the wireless adapter drivers via device ManagerSometimes older software versions do not support the encryption protocols used by new routers.
☑️ Miracast setup checklist
LG TV Plus and Smart Share app
If the standard Windows method is unstable, you can use the official application from the manufacturer. The program LG TV Plus (formerly known as LG Smart View) provides deeper integration with the TV ecosystem. It allows not only screen mirroring but also media management.
Download the app from the Microsoft Store and launch it. The program will automatically scan the network and find your TV. After pairing (entering a PIN if required), the control interface will open.
Unlike Miracast, it uses software encoding of the video stream, which can add a slight delay but often provides better file format compatibility. You can cast individual application windows or your entire desktop.
| Function | Miracast (Windows) | LG TV Plus | DLNA (Media) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission type | Streaming (screen) | Streaming (screen/files) | Files only |
| Delay | Low | Average | Absent |
| Sound | It is transmitted | It is transmitted | It is transmitted |
| Mouse control | Maybe | Limited | Impossible |
What should I do if the app doesn't detect the TV?
If LG TV Plus doesn't detect your device, make sure Windows Firewall isn't blocking incoming connections. In your network settings, select the "Private Network" profile instead of "Public." Also, try temporarily disabling your antivirus software to check.
Broadcasting via Google Chrome browser
The universal solution for any operating system is a browser Google ChromeIt has a built-in Cast function that allows you to display images on Chromecast-enabled TVs (built into webOS). This method is convenient because it works even if standard Windows tools fail.
Open your browser and click the three dots in the upper right corner, then select "Cast." A list of available devices will appear in the menu that opens. Before launching, click "Sources" to select what to cast: a browser tab, the entire screen, or a specific file.
This method is particularly suitable for displaying web content, as encoding occurs at the browser level, ensuring high-definition text and graphics. However, for fast-paced games or 4K video, this method may be insufficient due to the nature of stream compression.
- 🌐 Ideal for displaying websites, presentations and photo albums.
- 🎞️ Supports streaming tabs with protected content (DRM) that may be blocked by other methods.
- 🔋 Less system load than full desktop mirroring via Miracast.
⚠️ Note: When casting a browser tab, audio may not be transmitted by default. Be sure to check the "Broadcast audio" box in the source selection menu if necessary.
Setting up DLNA for media files
If your goal is not to duplicate your desktop, but to watch movies or listen to music stored on your PC's hard drive, it is better to use the technology DLNAIt doesn't put a strain on the processor, as the TV decodes the video stream itself, receiving only the raw data.
In Windows 10/11, the feature is called "Media Streaming." Go to "Settings" → "Apps" → "Media Playback" (or search for "Media Streaming Settings"). Turn on streaming and select your LG TV from the list of allowed devices.
Once activated, open File Explorer, locate the video file, right-click it, and select "Cast to Device." The video will automatically open on your TV screen. Playback controls (pause, rewind) are available through the TV interface.
For more advanced management of your movie library, it is recommended to install a media server, such as Plex or Home Media ServerThey will automatically download covers, descriptions, and sort content, turning your computer into a full-fledged media center.
Troubleshooting connection and latency issues
Even with proper setup, technical issues can still arise. Most commonly, users experience audio and video desynchronization or intermittent connection interruptions. The main cause is radio channel congestion or insufficient bandwidth.
Check to see if other devices are using the network to download large amounts of data. Also, try changing the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings to a less congested one (for example, from 1 to 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz). 5 GHz offers a wider range of channels, but the range is shorter.
If the image is choppy, try lowering the output resolution on your computer. Go to Screen parameters and select 1920×1080 instead of 4K. This will significantly reduce the amount of data transferred and may stabilize the image.
- 🔄 Restarting the router often solves 90% of device detection issues.
- 🛡️ Antivirus programs may be blocking ports required for Miracast - check your network settings.
- 📶 The distance between the router and TV should not exceed 10 meters if there are walls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn't my LG TV show up in the list of available Windows devices?
Most likely, the devices are on different networks (for example, one on 2.4 GHz, the other on 5 GHz with different SSIDs) or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, make sure the Screen Share app is running on the TV.
Is it possible to broadcast the screen with a delay of less than 0.1 seconds?
Achieving such latency over Wi-Fi is virtually impossible due to the inherent encryption and buffering protocols. For lag-free gaming (less than 30 ms), an HDMI cable is recommended.
The image is broadcast, but there is no sound. What should I do?
In Windows, click the speaker icon in the system tray, select the audio output device, and select your LG TV or "Digital Audio." In some cases, you may need to restart the application you're streaming through.
Does my old LG TV support Screen Share?
Most LG Smart TVs running WebOS (since 2014) support this feature. Older models (NetCast) may require additional software or may not support Miracast at all.