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To connect a Windows 11 PC to a TV, plug a compatible HDMI cable into the computer’s video output and a TV HDMI input, select that input on the TV, then choose how Windows should use the screens with Windows key + P.
1. Check that your computer and TV can connect
Confirm that the computer has an HDMI video output and that the TV has an available HDMI input. HDMI ports on computers and TVs can look similar, but check the labels and your device documentation if you are unsure which port is which.
If your computer has no HDMI output, a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter may work only if that particular computer and USB-C port support video output. Microsoft’s general Windows guidance discusses USB adapters for adding video output, and its Surface guidance gives a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter as an example. Check your computer model’s documentation before buying an adapter: not every USB-C port carries video.
Microsoft’s guidance does not specify one universal HDMI cable specification for this setup. Use a compatible cable that reaches between the devices; if you need to replace a faulty one, check its compatibility with your equipment.
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Anker HDMI 2.1 Cable,4K@240Hz HDMI Cord, 48Gbps Certified Ultra High-Speed
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2. Connect the cable and select the TV input
- With the computer and TV accessible, connect one end of the HDMI cable to the computer’s HDMI video output and the other end to an HDMI input on the TV. Make sure both ends are firmly seated.
- Use the TV’s controls or instructions to select the HDMI input you connected to—for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. The input names and menu controls vary by TV. Choosing the TV input is a TV setting, separate from Windows display settings.
3. Choose what Windows displays
Press Windows key + P to open Windows’ projection options, then select the mode that matches what you want:
| Windows option | What it does |
|---|---|
| PC screen only | Shows the image on the computer screen only. |
| Duplicate | Shows the same image on the computer and TV. |
| Extend | Uses the TV as additional desktop space, so you can move windows between displays. |
| Second screen only | Shows the image on the TV and not the computer screen. |
These modes change how Windows uses the displays; they do not select the TV’s HDMI input. If the TV is blank, check its input selection as well as the Windows mode.
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4. If Windows does not detect the TV
If the TV is on the correct input but Windows does not show it as a display, open Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays, then select Detect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Troubleshoot a blank TV screen
Try the simplest checks first. Change one thing at a time so you can identify what resolves the problem.
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- Check the TV input. Make sure it matches the HDMI port connected to the computer. TV input labels and controls vary by model.
- Reseat the cable. Disconnect and firmly reconnect it at both ends. Microsoft recommends checking that display cables are secure.
- Try another HDMI cable. A faulty cable can prevent a picture. If you can, test the current cable with another compatible setup.
- Isolate the hardware. If the computer has another video output, try it. You can also connect the TV to another system to help determine whether the problem is with the TV, cable, or computer output.
- Ask Windows to detect the display. Use Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays > Detect if the TV is not listed.
If a display that previously worked suddenly stops working, Microsoft says Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B may reset the graphics driver. Restarting the computer is another suggested step.
If the problem started after a display-driver update
Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance describes rolling back or reinstalling the display driver for problems that begin after a driver update. Treat this as a later step, after checking the TV input, cable, and ports; driver changes are less reversible than those basic checks. Follow Microsoft’s instructions for your Windows version and device: Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows.
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Amazon Basics HDMI Cable, 3ft, 4K@60Hz, High-Speed HDMI 2.0 Cord, 18Gbps, 2160p, 48 bit, Compatible with TV/PS5/Xbox/Roku, Black
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Microsoft’s step-by-step guidance
- Microsoft Support: How to use multiple monitors in Windows explains display modes and how to detect displays.
- Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows covers cable, port, restart, and display-driver troubleshooting.
- Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display is Surface-specific and includes examples involving display input selection and USB-C adapters.
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