Modern Smart TV transforms the living room into a true multimedia center, allowing you to display content from various devices on a large screen. The most popular use case remains wireless image transmission from a laptop or desktop PC to the panel. LGThis eliminates unnecessary wires and allows you to conveniently show presentations, view photos, or play movies stored on your hard drive.
There are several ways screen broadcasts, each of which has its own characteristics depending on the computer's operating system and the TV's firmware version. Standard protocols such as Miracast And DLNA, are built into most devices, but sometimes require manual configuration. Understanding how these technologies work will help avoid delays and audio desynchronization.
In this guide, we'll cover all current connection methods, from standard Windows tools to specialized applications. It is critical that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network., as data transfer occurs locally, without access to the global network. If the router distributes 2.4 and 5 GHz networks under different names, make sure the devices are in the same segment.
Wireless image transmission technologies: Miracast and DLNA
First, you need to understand the terminology to choose the right method for your needs. Miracast — is a wireless media transmission standard that allows you to mirror your computer screen to your TV in real time. This technology works on the principle Wi-Fi Direct, creating a direct connection between devices, which minimizes delays when watching videos or playing games.
In contrast, the protocol DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is designed for streaming media content, not full desktop duplication. You can send a video file or photo to the TV, but you won't be able to control operating system windows with the remote. LG Smart TV supports both standards, but their activation may differ depending on the year of the model.
It is worth noting that the quality of transmission is Miracast Depends heavily on the router's signal strength. If you experience artifacts or choppy images, try moving the router closer to the viewing area or switching to the 5 GHz frequency.
⚠️ Attention: Older router models that only support the 802.11n standard may not be able to handle Full HD video streaming without buffering. In this case, upgrading your network equipment is recommended.
Preparing equipment and setting up the network
Before you begin pairing, you need to make sure your network infrastructure is ready to handle large data transfers. Computer and TV LG must be on the same subnet. This means that if you use a guest Wi-Fi network for your smartphone and your laptop is connected to the main network, the devices won't see each other.
Check that your TV's software is up to date. Manufacturers frequently release updates that improve the module's stability. Wi-Fi and compatibility with new versions of Windows. To check, go to the Settings menu and select system updates.
It's also worth checking the power-saving settings of your computer's network adapter. Sometimes the system disables the module to conserve power, which can cause connection drops while watching a movie. Disable the power-saving feature in Device Manager to ensure a stable data flow.
☑️ Connection Preparation Checklist
Mirror your Windows 10 and 11 screen to your LG TV (Miracast)
Windows family operating systems have a built-in projection function, which is based on the standard MiracastThis is the fastest way to display an image without installing additional software. The setup process is intuitive and takes only a few minutes.
To start broadcasting on a computer with Windows 10 or 11, press the key combination Win + KA "Connection" or "Projection" panel will appear on the right side of the screen, where it will begin searching for available devices. Make sure that the TV LG The Screen Share app (on older models) or the Connect to Mobile Device feature (on newer webOS models) is running.
Once your TV is found in the list, click on its name. A connection confirmation prompt may appear on the TV screen, which you'll need to accept with your remote. Afterward, the image from your PC monitor will be mirrored on the larger panel.
If you want to change the operating mode, click Win + PThe available options are "Computer Screen Only," "Repeat," "Extend," and "Second Screen Only." "Extend" turns the TV into a second monitor, allowing you to drag windows between screens, which is convenient for presentations.
⚠️ Attention: When using Extend mode, the desktop on your TV may appear blank. Simply drag the browser or player window to the second screen using your mouse.
What to do if Windows doesn't see the TV?
If the device search fails, check the "Wireless Display Connection Manager" service. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, find "Wireless Display Connection" in the list, double-click it, and set the startup type to "Automatic." Restarting your PC usually resolves the issue.
Using DLNA to play files
If your goal is to view saved movies or photos, rather than duplicating your entire desktop, it's better to use technology DLNAThis method is less demanding on system resources and ensures smoother playback of large, high-resolution video files.
In Windows 10 and 11, media sharing is built into the standard File Explorer. However, for advanced settings and support for more formats, third-party software is often used, such as DLNA Server or built-in media service LG Content StoreThe standard method involves opening the properties of the video folder and enabling streaming.
On TV LG Launch the Photos & Videos or Media app. Select your computer from the list of sources. The system will display the shared folder structure. Navigate using the remote control.
The advantage of this method is that the computer can be used for other tasks while the movie is playing on TV. Protocol DLNA takes care of buffering, so short-term surges in network speed are less critical than with Miracast.
Broadcasting for macOS and iOS (AirPlay 2)
Equipment owners Apple can take advantage of native protocol support AirPlay 2, which LG has implemented in its Smart TVs since its 2019 models. This allows you to mirror your MacBook, iPhone, or iPad screen without the need for hacks or third-party programs.
To activate the feature on your TV, go to your connection settings and find "AirPlay." Make sure it's enabled. On a Mac, open "Control Center" in the menu bar and select "Screen Mirroring," then select your LG TVOn iOS devices, the procedure is similar via Control Center.
The system may request a verification code, which will be displayed on the TV screen. Enter it on your Apple device to establish a secure connection. Picture quality using AirPlay 2 is typically higher than Miracast, thanks to optimizations for the Apple ecosystem.
It's worth noting that AirPlay 2 not only allows you to mirror your screen but also output audio to your TV's audio system or connected speakers, creating a surround sound experience. High-resolution photo sharing is also supported.
Comparison of connection methods and specifications
To choose the optimal streaming method, it's worth comparing their technical capabilities. Different methods are suitable for different use cases, from gaming to watching movies.
| Characteristic | Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct) | DLNA | AirPlay 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission type | Screen mirroring (Real-time) | File streaming | Dubbing and streaming |
| Latency | Low / Medium | None (buffering) | Minimum |
| PC OS support | Windows, Android | Any (with server) | macOS, iOS |
| Picture quality | Depends on Wi-Fi signal | Original (uncompressed) | High (adaptive) |
| Using a PC | Limited (cursor visible) | Free | Free (when streaming) |
As you can see from the table, it is better suited for games or demonstrating dynamic content. Miracast or AirPlayIf you are just planning to watch the downloaded movie in 4K, then DLNA will provide the best image quality without the compression artifacts typical of screen streaming.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Even with proper settings, problems may still occur. Most often, the problem lies with Windows Firewall or antivirus settings that block incoming connections from the TV. Try temporarily disabling the protection or adding an exception rule for your private network.
Another common cause is outdated graphics card drivers. Since video stream encoding is handled by the GPU, make sure your drivers are up to date. NVIDIA, AMD or Intel Updated to the latest version. This is especially important for laptops with integrated graphics.
If your TV is no longer detected after updating your router, check if "AP Isolation" is enabled. This prevents devices on the same Wi-Fi network from communicating with each other, making wireless streaming impossible.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface on LG TVs may vary depending on the webOS version. If you don't see the options described, please refer to the user manual for your specific model or check for software updates.
Why is there no sound on the TV?
If you see a picture but no sound, check the playback device in Windows. Click the speaker icon in the system tray and select your LG TV from the list. Sometimes the system defaults to using your laptop's speakers.
Why doesn't my LG TV see my computer in the list of devices?
Most often, 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. It's also worth checking whether the Screen Share app is allowed in the TV's security settings.
Is it possible to broadcast sound separately, without a picture?
Yes, you can select your LG TV as the default output device in Windows sound settings (Settings → System → Sound). This will route all system audio to the TV's speakers.
Does broadcasting affect internet speed?
Using Miracast and AirPlay doesn't use the internet, as data is transferred locally between the router and devices. However, the Wi-Fi channel is overloaded, which can reduce file download speeds on other devices.
How to improve image quality when there are lags?
Reduce the screen resolution on your computer to 1280x720, close background programs that consume bandwidth, and, if possible, connect your PC to the router via cable, leaving the TV on Wi-Fi (although this doesn't always help with Miracast, since the final section is wireless).