How to output audio from your computer to your TV via Wi-Fi

Modern multimedia systems make it easy to stream content from one device to another, and audio streaming is one of the most sought-after features. Instead of listening to music through a laptop's built-in speakers, which are often of mediocre quality, users are eager to utilize the powerful sound system of their TV. This is especially true when watching movies or listening to music in the background, where it's important to ensure even sound distribution throughout the room.

There are several ways wireless transmission audio signal, each with its own technical features and hardware requirements. Most modern Smart TVs support Miracast and DLNA standards or have built-in Chromecast protocols. Computers running Windows 10 and 11 also have native tools for creating wireless connections, making the setup process quite simple if you have a stable local network.

However, despite the apparent simplicity, users often encounter latency, stream interruptions, or a complete lack of sound in the list of available devices. Wi-Fi signal quality Network configuration and proper network profile configuration are crucial here. In this article, we'll cover all connection methods in detail, from built-in Windows features to specialized software, so you can choose the best option for your setup.

Hardware and network requirements

Before setting up, you need to ensure your equipment meets the minimum technical requirements for stable media streaming. A key requirement is that both devices—the computer and the TV—are on the same local network. This means they must be connected to the same router, either via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.

To transmit audio without delays and compression artifacts, it is recommended to use the range 5 GHz, which provides higher throughput than the outdated 2.4 GHz standard. If your router is dual-band, make sure both devices are connected to this frequency, as it's less susceptible to interference from household appliances and neighboring networks.

It's also important to consider your operating system and the availability of the necessary drivers. In Windows, the Wireless Media Transfer service is responsible for wireless media transfer. Windows Audio and component Media FoundationMake sure your PC has the latest system updates, as Microsoft regularly releases patches to fix network protocol issues.

⚠️ Note: If your computer is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network or is using the client isolation feature on your router, the TV will not be discoverable. Devices must have direct access to each other within the local subnet.

Using built-in Windows features (Miracast)

The easiest way to output audio and video is to use Miracast technology, which is built into Windows 10 and 11 under the "Connect" option. This method doesn't require any additional software and works with your graphics card and Wi-Fi adapter drivers. To get started, press a key combination. Win + Kto open the projection panel.

In the list that opens, the system will begin searching for available wireless displays. If your TV supports Miracast and is in receiving mode, you'll see its name in the list. After selecting a device, Windows will attempt to establish a connection, and audio will automatically switch to the TV's audio system. In some cases, you may be asked to confirm the connection on the TV screen using the remote control.

If the sound doesn't appear automatically, you'll need to manually change the output device. To do this, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open sound settingsIn the "Output" section, find your TV and click on it to make it the default device.

It's worth noting that Miracast transmits the video stream along with the audio, which introduces a slight delay. While this isn't critical for watching movies, it can cause cursor movement lag when interacting with the interface. If you only need audio, this method may be overkill, but it guarantees minimal loss of audio quality.

Broadcasting via the Device Manager app

The Windows operating system has a specialized application that allows you to manage multimedia devices on the network. It's called "Connection" and can be found by searching for ConnectHowever, for more fine-tuning the audio stream, it is better to use the classic sound control panel, accessible via the command control mmsys.cpl sounds.

In the window that opens, go to the "Playback" tab. All available audio output devices are displayed here. If your TV is connected to a network and supports DLNA standards or has Chromecast built-in, it may appear here as a network device. If it's not listed, right-click an empty space and select "Show Disconnected Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices."

To enable DLNA streaming (if your TV and PC support this protocol), you must also enable media streaming. Go to the section Network and Internet -> State -> Sharing optionsTurn on network discovery and file and printer sharing. Then, in Windows Search, type "Media streaming settings" and enable this feature for your home network.

Once these settings are enabled, your computer will become visible to your TV as a content source. You'll be able to select files from your PC and play them on your TV, or stream audio from your browser if you use the appropriate extension.

Using third-party software

If Windows' built-in tools are unstable or don't support your TV model, third-party programs can help. One of the most popular and functional utilities is AirServer or Reflector, which turn a PC into an AirPlay receiver and can also transmit the signal. However, for the reverse task (PC -> TV), specialized streamers are often used.

Program Plex Plex is an excellent solution for organizing your media library. By installing the Plex server on your computer and the client app on your TV, you can stream music and video files in high quality. Plex automatically transcodes audio formats to TV-compatible formats, eliminating codec issues.

Alternative streaming programs

Kodi is a powerful media center with UPnP/DLNA support. VLC Media Player allows you to open network streams and render them on DLNA devices via the "Playback" -> "Renderer" menu.

Another option is to use a Google Chrome browser extension if your TV supports Chromecast. The Google Cast extension allows you to cast audio from any browser tab directly to your TV. To do this, click the three dots in the browser menu, select "Cast," and select "Cast Tab" or "Cast System" as the source.

⚠️ Note: Third-party programs can create additional CPU load, as they often use software encoding of the video stream, even for audio-only streaming. Close unnecessary applications before starting streaming.

Setting up your TV and troubleshooting

Often, the problem isn't with your computer, but with the TV's settings. Make sure Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast is enabled in the TV menu. On Samsung TVs, this feature may be called "Screen Mirroring," on LG TVs, "Screen Share," and on Sony TVs, "Screen Mirroring." Without this feature enabled, your TV won't appear in the list of available devices.

If the sound is intermittent or crackling, try reducing the load on your Wi-Fi channel. Disable downloads on other devices, move away from the router, or, conversely, move your computer closer to the access point. It's also worth checking whether your router is set to prioritize gaming consoles, which could limit your PC's bandwidth.

In some cases, resetting Windows network settings can help. Open a command prompt as administrator and run the command netsh winsock reset, then restart your computer. This will clear the network socket cache and may resolve transmission protocol errors.

Also, check your antivirus. Third-party antivirus firewalls (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) often block incoming and outgoing DLNA/Miracast connections, considering them suspicious. Add your streaming app or Windows itself to the firewall's exception list.

Features of Bluetooth audio transmission

Although this article focuses on Wi-Fi, it's worth mentioning Bluetooth as an alternative wireless method, often confused with Wi-Fi Direct. If your PC doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can use an external USB adapter. In Windows 10/11, connecting is done through the menu. Parameters -> Devices -> Adding Bluetooth or another device.

The main drawback of Bluetooth is audio compression. The default SBC codec significantly reduces the frequency range, producing flat audio. More advanced codecs like aptX or AAC may not be supported by a TV's built-in Bluetooth module, as TV manufacturers often skimp on audio chips.

However, this method is perfectly adequate for background music or watching the news. Audio latency can reach 200-300 ms, making Bluetooth unsuitable for gaming or synchronized video viewing without the TV's Lip Sync feature.

Why can't the TV see the computer via Wi-Fi?

The most common cause is network issues. Make sure both devices are connected to the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x). If you have a dual-band router, with one device on 2.4 GHz and the other on 5 GHz, some older discovery protocols may not work. Also, check if AP Isolation is disabled on your router.

Is it possible to transmit audio to multiple TVs at the same time?

This is difficult to achieve using standard Windows tools. The Miracast protocol typically supports a one-to-one connection. Implementing a one-to-many setup requires specialized digital signage software or a media server (such as Plex or Emby) that will distribute the stream to client applications on each TV.

How to reduce audio latency during broadcasting?

Use a wired Ethernet connection to your TV, if possible. This will reduce the load on your Wi-Fi network. Also, in your Windows sound settings, disable all sound effects and additional features that may cause buffering. For gaming, it's best to use an HDMI cable, as wireless transmission will inevitably introduce lag.

Does this work on macOS?

Yes, but with limitations. Mac natively supports AirPlay. If your TV has built-in AirPlay 2 (many Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models), you can output audio through the macOS sound menu. If AirPlay isn't supported, you'll need to install an AirPlay server on your PC or use ChromeCast through the Chrome browser.