How to Stream Video from Your Laptop to Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Wirelessly streaming video from a laptop to a big TV screen is no longer a luxury—it's a standard feature of modern devices. However, even in 2026, users still encounter problems: video stutters, audio lags, and the connection constantly drops. The cause is often not due to poor performance, but to the wrong choice of streaming technology or incorrect network settings.

This article will help you figure out which connection method is - Miracast, DLNA, Google Cast or branded solutions from Samsung/Apple — suitable for your specific equipment. We'll examine each method in detail, compare them by speed, stability, and supported formats, and provide checklists for diagnosing common errors. We'll also pay special attention to router setup: why video may lag even with a strong Wi-Fi signal, and how to fix it without buying new equipment.

1. Preparation: Check the compatibility of the laptop and TV

Before attempting to connect devices, make sure they are capable of communicating with each other. Key compatibility criteria:

• 📺 TV must support at least one of the technologies: Miracast (Wireless Display), DLNA, Google Cast (Chromecast built-in), Apple AirPlay 2 or proprietary protocols (Samsung Smart View, LG Screen Share).
• 💻 Laptop on Windows 10/11 must have a Wi-Fi adapter with support Wi-Fi Direct (for Miracast) or installed software for alternative methods. On MacOS Check your system version - AirPlay works with macOS Monterey 12.0+.
• 📶 Router should produce stable 5 GHz (for Miracast it's a must!) or at least 2.4 GHz with a channel width of at least 40 MHzOld routers with 802.11n may not handle Full HD without stuttering.

How to quickly check support Miracast on Windows? Click Win + R, enter dxdiag, go to the tab Save all and find the line Miracast: AvailableIf it says there Not supported, your Wi-Fi adapter is outdated - you will have to use alternative methods.

⚠️ Attention: If your TV was released before 2018, built-in support Miracast may not work correctly with modern laptops due to outdated protocol versions. In this case, it is better to use Google Cast (via Chromecast) or DLNA.

2. Method 1: Miracast (Wireless Display) – direct Wi-Fi without a router

Miracast — is a wireless screen sharing standard that operates on a point-to-point basis (the laptop connects directly to the TV, bypassing the router). Its main advantage is minimal latency, which is critical for gaming or presentations. However, it also has its drawbacks: it's hardware-intensive and frequently encounters driver issues.

How to set up:

1. Activate the mode on your TV Screen Mirroring (on Samsung — Settings → General → Screen Mirroring, on LG — Settings → Networks → Miracast).
2. On a Windows laptop, press Win + K (or Win + P → Connect to a wireless display). Your TV should appear in the list.
3. If the device is not found, update the Wi-Fi adapter driver via device Manager (chapter Network adapters).

The laptop and TV are on the same network (if using a router) | Wi-Fi on the TV is turned on and can see other devices | VPN and firewall are disabled on the laptop | The Wi-Fi adapter driver is updated (version 2023 or newer) -->

Critical detail: Miracast on Windows 11 may not work if the "Allow temporary increase in processing power to improve the connection to the display" option is disabled in the Power Saving settings. To enable it, go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced settings and find the corresponding item.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs Sony Bravia From 2020–2022, Miracast only works after resetting network settings to factory defaults. This issue has been officially confirmed by the manufacturer.

3. Method 2: Google Cast (Chromecast) - a universal solution

Google Cast — the most universal method, as it works even on older devices. You'll need either a TV with built-in Chromecast support (for example, Sony Android TV or Philips with Google TV), or an external adapter Chromecast (from 3,000 ₽). The advantage is that streaming is done via the Google cloud, so the laptop and TV don't need to be on the same local network (the internet is enough).

Instructions for the Chrome browser:

1. Connect Chromecast to your TV and set it up using the app Google Home on a smartphone.
2. Open a video in Chrome (for example, on YouTube or a local file via chrome://flags/#load-media-router-component-extension).
3. Click the icon Broadcast (in the upper right corner) and select your Chromecast.
4. For local files, use the extension VideoStream for Google Chromecast.

To broadcast your entire screen (not just a browser tab):

1. Click Win + K and select Chromecast in the list of devices.
2. In the broadcast settings (Settings → System → Display) set the resolution no higher 1920×1080, otherwise there will be lags.

4. Method 3: DLNA - for media files without screencasting

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for streaming media files (video, music, photos) over a local network. Unlike Miracast, it streams a specific file rather than the screen, reducing the load on the laptop's processor. The downside is that there's no interface interaction (you can't pause the video from the laptop).

How to set up:

• 🖥️ Install a media server on your laptop: Plex, Kodi or built into Windows Media streaming (Control Panel → Network Settings → Media Streaming).
• 📺 Open the app on your TV Media player, SmartShare (LG) or Video & TV SideView (Sony).
• 🔍 In the list of DLNA devices, select your laptop and the file to play.

Why can't DLNA see files on my laptop?

Most likely, the folder with the video has not been added to the media server library. Plex this is done through Settings → Manage Library → Add Folder. Also check that your Windows Firewall settings allow incoming connections for wdmc.exe (streaming process).

DLNA is ideal for:

• 🎬 Watch movies in high quality (up to 4K HDR) without stuttering.
• 🎵 Play music in the background.
• 📷 Display photo albums on the big screen.

⚠️ Attention: Some TVs Xiaomi block playback of files with higher resolutions 1080p Via DLNA due to firmware limitations. Update your TV's software to the latest version.

5. Method 4: Proprietary solutions (Samsung Smart View, LG Screen Share, AirPlay)

TV manufacturers often develop their own broadcast protocols, which are more stable than universal ones. Let's look at the most common ones:

📱 Samsung Smart View (for Samsung TV 2016+)

Application SmartThings (previously Smart View) allows you to broadcast your laptop's screen to your TV via Wi-Fi. Feature: Support DeX (desktop mode for Samsung smartphones), but for laptops the functionality is limited to screen mirroring.

How to connect:

1. Install SmartThings on your laptop (available for Windows 10/11 via Microsoft Store).
2. Turn on TV mode Screen Mirroring (Settings → General → Screen Mirroring).
3. In the app, select your TV and confirm the connection.

🍎 Apple AirPlay 2 (for MacBook and Apple TV)

If you have MacBook And Apple TV (or a TV with AirPlay support, for example, LG OLED C2), this is the most reliable method. The delay is minimal, and the transmission quality is up to 4K Dolby Vision.

Algorithm:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your MacBook, open Control Center → Screen Mirroring and select Apple TV.
3. To broadcast only video (without screen mirroring), use QuickTime Player → File → New Video and click the AirPlay icon.

🎯 LG Screen Share (for LG TVs with webOS)

On TVs LG With webOS 4.0+ there is a built-in function Screen Share, which operates using the Miracast protocol, but with improved optimization. To connect:

1. Press the button on the remote control Home → Screen Share.
2. On a laptop, press Win + K and choose yours LG TV.
3. If the image does not appear, update the TV firmware via Settings → General → Software Update.

6. Optimize your Wi-Fi network for stable streaming

Even if you've set up the streaming correctly, video may lag due to network issues. Here are the key router settings to check:

• 📶 Range: For Miracast and 4K, be sure to use 5 GHzOn . 2.4 GHz maximum stable resolution - 720p.
• 🔄 Channel: In manual mode, select the least loaded channel (for example, 36, 40, 44 or 48 for 5 GHz). Use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer for ether analysis.
• 📦 Channel width: Install 80 MHz for maximum speed (but this may interfere with neighboring networks).
• 🔒 Safety: Use only WPA2-AES or WPA3. WPA-TKIP And WEP slow down data transfer.
• 🔌 QoS: Turn on Quality of Service and set priority for laptop and TV devices by MAC address.

If the router does not support 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), consider upgrading to a model with Wi-Fi 6 (For example, TP-Link Archer AX6000 or ASUS RT-AX88U). The difference in speed when broadcasting 4K can reach 30–40%.

7. Solving typical problems

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones:

If none of the methods work, check:

• 🔌 Router power supply: Some models (eg D-Link DIR-300) freeze under heavy load. Try connecting the router to a different power source.
• 🛠️ TV firmware: On Samsung And LG Miracast bugs are often fixed in updates. Check your software version in Settings → Support → Software Update.
• 🖧 Antivirus: Kaspersky And Avast may block network connections for broadcasting. Add an exception for processes wdmc.exe (DLNA) and MiracastView.exe.

8. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If wireless methods don't work or the streaming quality isn't satisfactory, consider alternatives:

• 🔌 HDMI cable: The most reliable option for 4K@60Hz without lag. Modern cables HDMI 2.1 support up to 8K@120Hz.
• 📡 Wi-Fi 6E adapter: If your router is weak, buy a USB adapter. ASUS USB-AX56 (around 4,000 ₽) and connect it to your laptop. This will increase your speed to 2400 Mbps.
• 🖥️ Mini-PC on Android: Connect to TV Xiaomi Mi Box S or Nvidia Shield and control it from your laptop via TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
• 🌐 Cloud services: Upload video to Google Drive or Mega and open it through a browser on your TV. The downside is that it's dependent on internet speed.

For gamers who value low latency, the best choice is Steam Link (free software from Valve). It's optimized for streaming games online and works even on low-end routers if you connect your laptop and TV via cable.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

🔍 Why does the video lag behind the audio when streaming via Miracast?

This is a typical issue with high CPU load on a laptop. Try:

1. Reduce broadcast resolution to 1280×720.
2. Close background programs (especially browsers with many tabs).
3. Enable the "For games" mode in the graphics settings (for laptops with NVIDIA/AMD).

If it doesn't help, use DLNA — there, sound and video are synchronized at the protocol level.

📵 Is it possible to stream video from a laptop to a TV without a router?

Yes, if both devices support Wi-Fi Direct (for Miracast) or Bluetooth (audio only). To do this:

1. Turn on the TV mode Wi-Fi Direct (called differently: Screen Mirroring, Miracast).
2. On your laptop, in the list of Wi-Fi networks, find the name of your TV (usually starts with the model, for example, Samsung-UE55...).
3. Connect using the PIN code from the TV screen.

Limitation: They won't work without a router. DLNA And Google Cast.

🎮 Is it possible to stream games from a laptop to a TV via Wi-Fi?

Technically yes, but with some caveats:

• For Miracast the delay will be 50–100 ms — this is critical for shooters, but tolerable for strategies.
• Steam Link (via Wi-Fi) gives a delay 30–60 ms, but requires a powerful router.
• Parsec or Moonlight (for NVIDIA) are optimized for gaming and work better, but registration is required.

For a comfortable game we recommend:

• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi with channel width 80 MHz.
• Limit speed to 1080p@60fps (4K will give lags).
• Connect your laptop to the router via cable and your TV via Wi-Fi (or vice versa).

🔒 How do I protect my stream from being connected to other devices?

If you are streaming sensitive content, please follow these steps:

1. Enable it in your router settings. Isolation of clients (Client Isolation) to prevent devices on the network from seeing each other.
2. Use WPA3-Personal instead of WPA2 - this will make it more difficult to connect other gadgets.
3. For Miracast set a PIN code in the settings Screen Mirroring on TV.
4. Disable the feature WPS on the router - it is vulnerable to hacking.

For maximum security, stream via cable or use a separate guest network on your router.

📺 Why is the video on my TV in low quality even though the file is in 4K?

Reasons and solutions:

• Protocol limitation: DLNA And Miracast often reduce the resolution to 1080p for stability. Try it. Google Cast or HDMI.
• Router settings: If enabled QoS, it may limit the bandwidth for multimedia. Disable or prioritize the TV's MAC address.
• Codecs: The TV may not support HEVC (H.265) or VP9. Recode the file to H.264 through HandBrake.
• Hardware limitations: Older TVs (pre-2019) are physically unable to decode 4K over Wi-Fi. Check your model's specifications.