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

Do you want to stream a movie, a stream, or a presentation from your laptop to a big TV screen, but are confused by wires and settings? Wireless video transmission Wi-Fi solves this problem in minutes—without any additional cables or adapters. In this article, we'll look at all current methods connections: from built-in functions Windows And macOS to specialized applications for gamers and movie buffs.

The main advantage of Wi-Fi broadcasting is minimal signal delay (from 30 ms for Miracast to 200 ms for DLNA), which is critical for watching high-definition movies or playing games. However, image quality depends on the router's power and supported standards (802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6) and even the distance between devices. We tested each method on TVs. Samsung QLED 2023, LG OLED C2 And Sony Bravia X90J — and are ready to share the results.

If your TV was released before 2018, check its specifications: some models do not support Miracast or AirPlay at the hardware level. In this case, an external adapter (for example, Google Chromecast 4K or Amazon Fire TV Stick) or applications like Steam Link.

1. Miracast: Built-in wireless casting for Windows and Android TV

Miracast - is a wireless screen sharing standard supported by most modern TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi) and laptops on Windows 8.1/10/11The technology works on a point-to-point basis (without a router), but for stability, it's better to use a shared network. 5 GHz.

To enable Miracast on your laptop:

  1. Click Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
  2. From the list of available devices, select your TV (the model name will be displayed automatically).
  3. Confirm the connection on your TV – usually you need to click "Allow" in the window that appears.

On your TV, activate the signal reception mode:

  • 📺 Samsung: Source → Screen Mirroring (or Smart View).
  • 📺 LG: Settings → Connection → Screen Mirroring (Miracast).
  • 📺 Sony Bravia: Inputs → Wireless Display.
  • 📺 Android TV (Xiaomi, Philips): Settings → Devices → Screen Mirroring.
⚠️ Attention: If your TV doesn't appear in the list of devices, update your laptop's video card drivers (especially for Intel UHD Graphics or AMD Radeon). To do this, download the latest versions from the manufacturers' official websites.
📊 What brand is your TV?
Samsung
LG
Sony
Xiaomi
Philips
Another

Miracast supports resolution up to 4K@30Hz, but in practice, stable broadcasting is only possible in 1080p@60Hz with a good signal. For games or high-bitrate videos (e.g. HDR10+) it is better to use alternative methods.

2. AirPlay: Stream from your MacBook or iPhone to Apple TV and compatible TVs

AirPlay - proprietary technology from Apple, which allows you to transfer videos, music and even games from devices to macOS or iOS on TVs with support Apple TV or built-in AirPlay 2 (For example, LG OLED 2019+, Samsung QLED 2020+, Sony Bravia X950H). The main advantage is minimal delay (up to 50 ms) and support Dolby Vision.

Instructions for MacBook:

  1. Make sure your laptop and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Click on the icon Screen management in the menu bar (or System Preferences → Monitors).
  3. Select your TV from the list AirPlay Display.
  4. If required, enter the confirmation code that appears on the TV screen.

To broadcast a specific video (for example, from Safari or QuickTime Player):

  • 🎬 Click the icon AirPlay in the player (square with a triangle).
  • 🔊 Select TV as the output device.
  • 🖥️ To mirror your entire screen, use the combination Control + Click on the icon Screen management.
⚠️ Attention: On TVs without Apple TV (For example, Xiaomi Mi TV) AirPlay may be unstable. In this case, use an adapter. Apple TV 4K or alternative methods like DLNA.
Device AirPlay support Max. permission Delay
Apple TV 4K (2022) AirPlay 2 4K@60Hz (Dolby Vision) ~50 ms
LG OLED C2 AirPlay 2 (built-in) 4K@60Hz ~70 ms
Samsung QN90B AirPlay 2 (since 2020) 4K@30Hz ~100 ms
Sony Bravia X90J Requires software update 1080p@60Hz ~120 ms

3. DLNA/UPnP: Watch movies and photos without screen mirroring

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for transferring media files (video, music, photos) over a local network. Unlike Miracast or AirPlay, which doesn't broadcast the entire laptop screen, but only selected files. It's suitable for watching high-quality movies without lag.

To use DLNA:

  1. Make sure your laptop and TV are connected to the same router.
  2. Turn on the DLNA server on your TV:
    • 📺 Samsung: Settings → General → External devices → Playback devices.
    • 📺 LG: Settings → Network → DLNA.
    • 📺 Android TV: Install the application BubbleUPnP or LocalCast.
  • On your laptop, use a media sharing program:
    • 🪟 Windows: Windows Media Player (turn on Streaming → Allow remote access).
    • 🍎 macOS: Plex Media Server or Kodi.
    • 🐧 Linux: Rygel or MiniDLNA.

      • After setup, a folder containing files from your laptop will appear on your TV. You can select a movie and play it directly, without delays. The main advantage of DLNA is its format support. MKV, MP4 with codec H.265 and multi-channel sound DTS.

      Enable streaming in Windows Media Player|Add movie folders to the library|Make sure the TV and PC are on the same network|Restart the router if there are detection issues-->

      ⚠️ Attention: Some televisions (eg. Samsung J series or Philips 2017) do not support playback MKV with subtitles via DLNA. In this case, convert the files to MP4 or use Plex.

      If built-in methods aren't suitable, specialized programs can help. They offer additional features: remote control, gamepad support, and game or streaming capabilities. Twitch/YouTube.

      Let's compare popular solutions:

      Application Suitable for Pros Cons
      Steam Link Gamers streaming games from PCs Support 4K@60Hz, low input lag (~30 ms) Requires a powerful PC and router Wi-Fi 6
      Plex Movies, TV series, music Automatic media library sorting, transcoding The free version is limited
      VLC + UPnP Any video formats Playback AVI, FLV, WMV There is no interface for remote control
      LocalCast (Android TV) Broadcast from phone/PC Support Chromecast And DLNA Advertising in the free version

      For setup Steam Link:

      1. Install the application on your TV (Google Play Store or LG Content Store).
      2. Launch Steam on the laptop and turn it on Settings → Remote Play → Enable Streaming.
      3. Connect the gamepad to your TV (for example, Xbox Controller or DualSense).
      4. Select a game from the library Steam and start broadcasting.
      How to improve streaming quality on Steam Link

      Use a wired connection from your laptop to the router (even if your TV is on Wi-Fi). In the Steam Link settings, set the bitrate to maximum (50 Mbps) and disable the FPS limit. If the game is lagging, reduce the resolution to 1080p or enable hardware encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA video cards).

      5. Google Chromecast and similar devices: a universal solution for any device

      If your TV does not support Miracast or DLNA, external adapter Google Chromecast (or its analogues: Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi Mi TV Stick) will become a universal solution. The device connects to the port HDMI and allows you to stream video from your laptop via a browser or special applications.

      How to use Chromecast:

      1. Connect the adapter to your TV and set it up via the app. Google Home on a smartphone.
      2. Make sure the laptop and Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network.
      3. Open your browser Google Chrome on your laptop and select Broadcast → Broadcast tab.
      4. Choose yours Chromecast in the list of devices.

    To stream local files:

    • 🎥 Use it VLC with plugin Cast to Chromecast.
    • 📁 Upload files to Google Photos or YouTube and broadcast from there.
    • 🎮 Suitable for gaming Moonlight (alternative Steam Link For NVIDIA GPU).
    ⚠️ Attention: When broadcasting a browser tab through Chromecast quality may decrease to 720p due to protocol limitations. For Full HD use apps with support Google Cast (For example, Netflix or YouTube).

    6. Alternative methods: HDMI cable + Wi-Fi, cloud services

    If wireless methods aren't suitable due to a weak signal or an outdated TV, consider hybrid solutions:

    1. HDMI + Wi-Fi Adapter (Wireless HDMI)

    Devices like Nyrius Aries Pro or IOGEAR Wireless HDMI transmit a signal 1080p@60Hz without frequency delays 5 GHz or 60 GHzSuitable for presentations or movie theaters where stability is critical. The downside is the high price (~10,000 ₽).

    2. Cloud services (Plex, Emby, Jellyfin)

    Upload your movies to a cloud server (e.g. Google Drive or your own NAS), and then play them on your TV via the app PlexThis method is convenient for a large media archive, but requires a fast internet connection (from 50 Mbps For 4K).

    3. Remote Desktop (RDP, TeamViewer)

    If you need to not only watch videos but also control your laptop from your TV, use TeamViewer or Chrome Remote DesktopThe latency will be higher (~200 ms), but you will get full control over your PC.

    7. Troubleshooting: lags, no sound, connection errors

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

    Problem 1: The TV doesn't find the laptop (Miracast/AirPlay)

    • ✅ Make sure both devices are connected to the same network 5 GHz (Not 2.4 GHz).
    • ✅ Update your laptop's graphics card and Wi-Fi adapter drivers.
    • ✅ Disable your VPN or firewall (they may block multicast traffic).
    • ✅ Restart your router and reset your TV's network settings.

    Problem 2: Video stutters or cuts off

    • ✅ Reduce the broadcast resolution to 720p.
    • ✅ Switch to the channel 5 GHz with less workload (use Wi-Fi Analyzer for ether analysis).
    • ✅ Connect your laptop to the router with a cable Ethernet (if TV is on Wi-Fi).
    • ✅ Disconnect other devices from the network (smartphones, tablets) to free up bandwidth.

    Problem 3: No sound during broadcast

    • ✅ In your laptop's sound settings, select the TV as the output device (Settings → System → Sound).
    • ✅ Check if your TV supports the audio format (for example, Dolby Digital may not play on older models).
    • ✅ Reinstall your sound card drivers (especially for Realtek Audio).
    What to do if Miracast doesn't work on Windows 11?

    Some Windows 11 builds disable Miracast support by default. To enable it, run the following command from an elevated command prompt:

    netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi" admin=enable

    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WirelessDisplay" /v "AllowWirelessDisplay" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

    Then restart your laptop.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about streaming video to TV

    Is it possible to stream Netflix/YouTube from a laptop to a TV without lag?

    Yes, but it is better to use the built-in TV applications (for example, Netflix or YouTube on Smart TV), as they are optimized for streaming. If you're streaming from a laptop, close all background programs and connect to the network. 5 GHz. For YouTube in the browser Chrome select Broadcast tab → Chromecast (if there is one).

    Why does the picture flicker or disappear when connecting via Miracast?

    This is a common problem with a weak Wi-Fi signal. Try:

    • 📶 Move the router closer to the TV.
    • 🔄 Switch to the channel 5 GHz with width 80 MHz (in the router settings).
    • 🖥️ Reduce your laptop screen resolution to 1280×720.
    • 🔌 Connect your laptop to the router with a cable Ethernet (if TV is on Wi-Fi).

      • If the problem persists, update your TV's firmware or use an adapter. Chromecast.

    How to stream Linux (Ubuntu, Mint) screen to TV?

    On Linux, use the utility for Miracast gnome-network-displays:

    1. Install the package: 
      sudo apt install gnome-network-displays
    2. Run the utility and select the TV from the list.
    3. For DLNA install Rygel: 
      sudo apt install rygel

      and enable it in the settings GNOME.

    For Steam Link download the client from Flatpak: 

    flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamLink

    What kind of router do I need for stable 4K streaming over Wi-Fi?

    To transfer video to 4K@60Hz The router must support the following without lags:

    • 📡 Standard Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    • 🔢 Dual-band mode (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz).
    • 📶 Technology MU-MIMO And Beamforming.
    • 🔌 Gigabit ports LAN/WAN.

    Recommended models:

    • ASUS RT-AX88U (for large houses).
    • TP-Link Archer AX6000 (optimal price/quality ratio).
    • Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 (For Wi-Fi 6E).
    Is it possible to stream my laptop screen to TV via mobile internet (4G/5G)?

    Technically yes, but it is not practical because:

    • 📉 No traffic restrictions (1 hour) 4K-video = ~7 GB).
    • 🐢 High ping and unstable speed.
    • 💰 Additional costs for a tariff with a large amount of data.

    Better to use access point mode on your smartphone (if you have an unlimited data plan), but even in this case the quality will be worse than over your home Wi-Fi.

    • 📖 Read also

    How to set up Wi-Fi on a Thomson TV: a complete guide A detailed guide to connecting your Thomson Smart TV to a wireless network. Troubleshooting and setup How to connect a Haier TV to a computer via Wi-Fi Step-by-step instructions: displaying images from a PC to a Haier TV wirelessly. Setting up DLNA, Miracast, and other features. How to install a WiFi adapter on a Samsung TV: step-by-step instructions Detailed instructions for connecting an external WiFi adapter to a Samsung TV. Troubleshooting driver issues. How to enable Wi-Fi on a Samsung Series 8 TV: step-by-step instructions Step-by-step guide on connecting the Samsung 8 series to Wi-Fi. Setting up Tizen OS, troubleshooting Wi-Fi adapter for Samsung Smart TV: which one to choose and how to connect Choosing the best USB Wi-Fi adapter for your Samsung TV. List of compatible models, instructions How to remove the "Updates are ready to install" message on a TV without Wi-Fi: 7 ways Step-by-step instructions on how to disable forced updates on a Samsung/LG/Sony TV without a connection