How to stream a game from a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi: A detailed guide with a comparison of methods

Stream games from your laptop to your big TV screen via Wi-Fi — it's a way to turn an ordinary evening into a cinema with eSports battles or immerse yourself in an open world GTA V on a 55+ inch diagonal. But not all methods are created equal: somewhere, there's a problem waiting for you. input lag up to 100 ms (critical for shooters), and in some cases, image artifacts under heavy loads. This article will help you choose the optimal method depending on your hardware and tasks.

We tested 5 current wireless broadcasting methods (including little-known tricks) Windows 11 And NVIDIA Moonlight), measured delays and compiled a compatibility table with popular TV models Samsung QLED, LG OLED And Sony BraviaAnd if you're worried about lag, there's a section at the end of the article about reducing ping to 20 ms without buying a new router.

1. Preparing equipment: what you need to check before broadcasting

Before setting up a connection, make sure your equipment meets the minimum requirements. The main enemy of wireless broadcasting is unstable Wi-Fi signalEven if the laptop and TV support Wi-Fi 6, a weak router or interference from neighbors will negate all the benefits.

Here's what you absolutely must do:

• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi speed: Run a test on your laptop (for example, via Speedtest) - for Full HD you need a minimum 25 Mbps, for 4K - 50+ Mbps.
• 🔄 Update the router firmware: go to the control panel (usually 192.168.1.1) and install the latest firmware version. Outdated firmware often reduces speed by 30-40%.
• 🖥️ Make sure your laptop supports it Miracast or DLNA: click Win + P - If there is an option "Connect to a wireless display", then everything is fine.
• 🔌 Connect your laptop to a power source: When running on battery power, Windows automatically limits graphics performance, which causes lag.

Pay special attention Wi-Fi channelIf your router is running on 2.4 GHz, the broadcast will slow down even at high speed due to channel congestion. Switch to 5 GHz (In the router settings, select the channel with the minimum load - for example, 36 or 149). For Wi-Fi 6 also turn on technology OFDMA, if it is supported.

⚠️ Attention: Televisions Samsung 2018-2019 releases may not be supported Miracast through 5 GHz due to a firmware error. In this case, use 2.4 GHz or update your TV to the latest software version.

2. Method 1: Miracast - built-in broadcasting without programs

Miracast — is a wireless image transmission standard built into Windows 10/11 and most modern TVs. Its main advantage is that there is no need to install additional software. However, there are also disadvantages: a delay of up to 50-80 ms (not suitable for competitive games) and possible artifacts under high GPU load.

How to connect:

1. Turn on the TV mode Screen Mirroring (on Samsung — Source → Screen Mirroring, on LG — Settings → Connection → Screen Mirroring).
2. On a laptop, press Win + K (or Win + P → Connect to a wireless display).
3. Select your TV from the list. If it's not there, update the Wi-Fi adapter drivers on your laptop.
4. In the broadcast settings (Settings → System → Display → Multiple displays) select the mode Duplicate or Expand.

Make sure your TV and laptop are on the same Wi-Fi network|

Disable VPN and Firewall|

Select the "Game Mode" mode in the TV settings |

Check that Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on your laptop (in Device Manager) -->

To reduce lag in games:

• 🎮 Turn it on on your TV Game Mode (disables image post-processing).
• 🖱️ Use a wired mouse/keyboard - Bluetooth devices add +10-15ms of latency.
• 🔧 In Settings → System → Display → Graphics Disable "Optimize for video" and set the game priority to "High performance".

⚠️ Attention: On laptops with hybrid graphics (NVIDIA Optimus or AMD SmartShift) Miracast may automatically switch to the integrated graphics card, which will cause FPS drops. To avoid this, NVIDIA Control Panel Add the game to the list of programs and select a discrete GPU for it.

3. Method 2: Steam Link is the best choice for gamers

If you play through Steam, That Steam Link — is the gold standard for broadcasting. The technology uses a proprietary codec for video compression, which allows for a latency of up to 20-30 ms (with good Wi-Fi). In addition, Steam Link supports 4K @ 60 Hz and controllers Xbox/PlayStation.

Setup instructions:

1. Install the application Steam Link on TV (available in Google Play Store For Android TV or App Store For Apple TV).
2. On your laptop, open Steam, go to Settings → Login and enable the "Allow broadcasting on this computer" option.
3. Launch Steam Link on TV, select your laptop from the list and connect the controller (or use a mouse/keyboard via Bluetooth).
4. In the broadcast settings (⚙️ → Quality) select:
   • 📶 Balanced - for most games;
   • 🎯 Performance — for shooters (CS2, Valorant);
   • 🖼️ Quality — for single player (The Witcher 3).

For maximum performance:

• 🔌 Connect your laptop to the router via cable (Ethernet), and leave the TV on Wi-Fi - this will reduce the delay by 10-15 ms.
• 🔄 Turn it on in your router QoS (Quality of Service) and set the priority for traffic Steam.
• 🎮 If you're playing with a gamepad, connect it directly to your laptop (via Bluetooth or USB), not to your TV.

4. Method 3: NVIDIA Moonlight – for GeForce graphics card owners

Moonlight - this is an alternative Steam Link, but focused on video cards NVIDIA (series GTX 9xx and newer). Advantages:

• ⚡ Delay 15-25 ms (better than Miracast and Steam Link);
• 🎮 Support 120 Hz And G-Sync;
• 🖥️ Ability to broadcast your desktop (useful for streaming).

How to set up:

1. Download Moonlight for TV (available in Google Play or how APK For LG WebOS).
2. Install on your laptop GeForce Experience and turn it on GameStream in the settings (Settings → Shield tab).
3. Launch Moonlight on your TV, select your PC, and connect. The first time you connect, you'll be asked to enter a PIN (displayed on your laptop screen).
4. In the broadcast settings (⚙️ → Streaming) install:
   • 📶 Bitrate: 20 Mbps for 1080p, 50 Mbps for 4K;
   • 🎮 Streaming Mode: Game (for minimal delay);
   • 🔊 Audio: 5.1 Surround, if you have a home theater.

How to stream non-game apps via Moonlight?

Moonlight only shows games from the GeForce Experience library by default. To stream your desktop:

1. On your laptop, add a shortcut to the program (for example, OBS or Chrome) to the folder C:\ProgramData\NVIDIA Corporation\GameStream\Applications.

2. Create a file app.xml with parameters (the template can be found on GitHub).

3. Restart GeForce Experience — the application will appear in the list for broadcasting.

Moonlight supports hardware decoding on TVs with chips AMLogic (For example, Xiaomi Mi Box S or NVIDIA Shield TV). If your TV is not included in official list, try manual setup via ADB:

adb shell setprop persist.moonlight.decoder h264

⚠️ Attention: On video cards NVIDIA RTX 40-series in the drivers version 535.xx and newer versions may experience a green screen bug when streaming. Solution: Roll back to the latest driver. 531.79 or turn on NVIDIA Control Panel the "Limit frame rate" option (3D Settings → Max Frame Rate).

5. Method 4: AirPlay for Apple TV or MacBook owners

If you have MacBook And Apple TV (or a TV with support AirPlay 2, For example, LG CX or Samsung Q80T), then broadcast via AirPlay — the simplest option. The delay is 30-50 ms, which is suitable for most games except eSports.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure your laptop and Apple TV (or TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On MacBook open Control Center → Screen Mirroring and select your device.
3. To broadcast only the game (without the desktop), use the combination Command + Shift + 5, select the area of ​​the screen with the game and click "Broadcast".
4. In the settings Apple TV (Settings → Video and Audio) turn on the "Low Latency" mode (Low Latency Mode).

AirPlay Features for Gamers:

• 🎮 Controllers supported DualShock 4 And Xbox Series X (connects directly to MacBook).
• 🔊 The sound is transmitted in the format Dolby Atmos, if the TV supports it.
• ⚠️ On MacBook with M1/M2 chip When streaming games, the case may become hot - use a cooling stand.

6. Method 5: Windows 11 Settings for Advanced Users

Windows 11 Offers hidden settings for streaming optimization that few people use. For example, you can manually prioritize traffic for games or disable background processes that interfere with connection stability.

What can be configured:

• 🔧 Traffic priority: open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → QoS settings and add the game executable file (for example, cs2.exe) to the priority list.
• 🖥️ GPU optimization: V Settings → System → Display → Graphics Select a game and set it to "High Performance" mode.
• 📡 Wi-Fi Performance Mode: V Device Manager Find your Wi-Fi adapter, open it Properties → Advanced and turn it on Wireless Mode = 802.11ac (if supported).

Disabling visual effects will also help reduce lag:

1. Click Win + R, enter sysdm.cpl and go to the tab Additionally.
2. In the section Performance click Parameters and select Ensure the best performance.
3. Turn it off Window animation And Menu fading - this will save up to 10% of CPU resources.

7. How to Reduce Lag and Lag: 7 Practical Tips

Even if you have set up your broadcast correctly, you may encounter lags or artifactsHere are proven ways to eliminate them:

1. Use a router with support Wi-Fi 6 And OFDMA:

   Models ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Archer AX6000 reduce latency by 20-30% due to more efficient channel distribution.

2. Configure MTU on your router:

   The optimal value for broadcasting is 1472You can change it in Router Control Panel → LAN → MTU Size.

3. Disable Wi-Fi power saving:

   IN Device Manager Find your Wi-Fi adapter, go to Properties → Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device...".

4. Use a static IP:

   Assign fixed IP addresses to your laptop and TV on the network to avoid delays when reconnecting.

5. Close background programs:

   Apps like Discord, Telegram or Google Drive can "eat up" up to 30% of the bandwidth. Close them after Task Manager.

6. Lower the resolution in the game:

   Broadcast 4K requires 50+ Mbps stable channel. If your router can't handle it, set it in the game settings. 1440p or 1080p.

7. Turn on Game Mode on the router:

   The function is available in the firmware. ASUS Merlin or DD-WRTIt prioritizes game traffic, blocking background updates.

If lags only appear in certain games (for example, in Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone), the problem may be in the anti-cheat settings. Add an exception for the game in Windows Firewall and antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast).

8. Alternative Solutions: When Wi-Fi Isn't Enough

If all of the above methods yield unsatisfactory results (latency > 80 ms or constant connection drops), consider alternatives:

• 🔌 Wired connection (HDMI):

  The most reliable way is a delay 5-10 ms. Use a cable HDMI 2.1 For 4K @ 120 Hz.

• 📶 Powerline adapters:

  Transmission of a signal through electrical wiring (eg. TP-Link AV1000). Delay ~20-30 ms, but it depends on the quality of the wiring.

• 📡 Toffee or AnyCast:

  Adapters for Wi-Fi broadcasting with an external antenna (for example, Toffee Miracast Dongle). Suitable for older TVs without Smart TV.

• 🖥️ Cloud gaming:

  Services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming allow you to play on your TV without streaming from your laptop. Latency depends on the data center (usually 40-60 ms).

If you decide to use HDMI cable, pay attention to its length:

• To 3 meters - without amplifier;
• From 5 meters - you need a cable with an amplifier chip or fiber optic HDMI;
• Over 10 meters - use HDMI extender (For example, Kramer VS-41H2).

⚠️ Warning: Cheap cables HDMI (especially those >5 m long) may not support 4K @ 60 HzCheck the certification on the packaging - there should be a logo. Premium Certified or Ultra High Speed.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to stream a game from a laptop to a TV without a router (directly via Wi-Fi)?

Yes, but with some caveats. To do this:

1. On your laptop, create an access point (Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot).
2. Connect the TV to this point.
3. Use Miracast or Steam Link for broadcast.

However, latency will be higher (~100+ ms) because the laptop is acting as both an access point and a signal source. This isn't the best option for gaming.

Why does the image lag when broadcasting via Miracast, but the sound is fine?

This is a typical problem when:

• Lack of Wi-Fi bandwidth (switch to 5 GHz or reduce the resolution to 1080p);
• Conflict with other devices on the network (disable torrents, Netflix streams on other devices);
• Outdated Wi-Fi adapter drivers (update them via device Manager or the manufacturer's website).

Also try to manually limit the FPS in the game to 60 fps - this will reduce the load on the network.

How do I stream a game from my laptop to my TV if I'm using Linux?

On Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) can be used:

• Scrcpy — for broadcasting the screen of Android devices to TV (not suitable for PC games);
• Moonlight - if you have a video card NVIDIA (install via sudo apt install moonlight-qt);
• Wayland + Westeros — experimental protocol for desktop broadcasting (requires manual configuration).

For Steam Link There are also unofficial builds for Linux (for example, Here).

What is the minimum internet speed required to stream games in 4K?

Speed Internet (from the provider) does not affect the broadcast over the local network. It is only important Wi-Fi speed between a laptop and a TV:

• 1080p @ 60 Hz — 25 Mbps;
• 1440p @ 60 Hz — 40 Mbps;
• 4K @ 30 Hz — 50 Mbps;
• 4K @ 60 Hz — 80-100 Mbps.

Measure the speed between devices via iPerf3 or built-in router tests (for example, Tools → Network Diagnosis V ASUS RT-AX88U).

Is it possible to play CS2 or Valorant Wi-Fi broadcasting without lags?

Latency is critical for competitive shooters <30 msThis can only be achieved via Wi-Fi if the following conditions are met:

• Router with Wi-Fi 6 (For example, Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500);
• The laptop is connected to the router via cable (Ethernet), TV - by 5 GHz;
• Used Moonlight or Steam Link in Performance mode;
• The game has vertical sync disabled (V-Sync) and post-processing.

Even in this case, the delay will be ~25-40 ms, which is worse than connecting directly to the monitor (5-10 ms). For competitive games it is better to use HDMI cable.