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If your computer and TV both have HDMI ports, an HDMI cable is the most direct way to show your PC screen on the TV. If the computer has only USB-C or Thunderbolt video output, an HDMI adapter and cable usually do the job. On a Windows PC with a Miracast-capable TV, you can skip the cable and project wirelessly. Which route works depends on the ports and wireless support of your specific devices, so check those first.
Choose the connection method first
Pick the method that matches what your computer and TV actually support. The table compares the four routes covered in this guide.
| Method | Works when | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI cable | The PC has an HDMI output and the TV has an HDMI input | Simplest wired setup. Cable reach and the display modes you can use depend on the devices and the cable. Microsoft and Apple both document wired HDMI as a standard route. |
| USB-C or Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter, plus an HDMI cable | The computer sends video through its USB-C or Thunderbolt port and the adapter supports the mode you need | Adds a compatibility-dependent part. Apple documents this route for supported Mac models. Not every adapter supports every resolution or refresh rate a port lists. |
| Miracast wireless projection | The Windows PC supports Miracast and the TV supports Miracast | No video cable is needed, but availability and connection quality depend on compatible hardware and your wireless setup. |
| Miracast adapter plugged into the TV | The PC supports Miracast but the TV does not | Needs an adapter connected to a TV HDMI input. In Microsoft’s documented example, the adapter also needs USB power. |
Mac users have wired options in this guide. Apple Support states that “Mac computers can use an HDMI cable or adapter to connect to a TV, display or other HDMI device.” The Apple material reviewed for this guide does not establish a general-purpose wireless procedure for connecting a Mac to a TV, so this article does not give one.
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Connect a PC with an HDMI cable
- Check the ports. Look for an HDMI output on the computer and an HDMI input on the TV. If the computer has only a USB-C or Thunderbolt port, go to the adapter route in the next section.
- Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the computer and the other end to an HDMI input on the TV. Use a cable long enough to reach without strain.
- Turn on the TV and select the HDMI input that the cable uses (for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2). Microsoft’s guidance for its wireless adapter makes the same point: the TV must be set to the input your connection uses.
- On Windows, press Windows key + P and choose PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only, depending on how you want to use the TV.
- If the TV shows no signal or is not detected, recheck both cable ends and the input selection before changing any computer settings. Microsoft’s external-display guidance recommends confirming the cables are connected correctly before adjusting display settings.
Use a USB-C or Thunderbolt adapter
A USB-C or Thunderbolt port is not automatically a video output. The port must carry video, and the adapter must support the resolution and refresh rate you want. Check the computer’s specifications for video output through that port, then check the adapter’s specifications for the same modes. The chain only works at the lowest-supported link in it.
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- Plug the adapter into the computer’s USB-C or Thunderbolt port.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV’s HDMI input.
- Select that TV input, then use the steps above for Windows or the display settings on a Mac.
Connect a Windows PC wirelessly with Miracast
Windows wireless projection to a TV uses Miracast. Microsoft Support states that “You can wirelessly connect your PC to a TV, projector, or other kind of external display that supports Miracast.” Before you start, confirm both devices support it.
- Confirm that the PC supports Miracast and that Wi-Fi is turned on. On the TV, confirm that it supports Miracast and that its wireless display or screen mirroring setting is enabled. Menu names vary by brand.
- On Windows 11, turn on the TV, press Windows key + K, select the TV from the list of available devices, and follow any prompts that appear.
- Press Windows key + P to choose whether to duplicate the screen, extend it, or show the image only on the TV.
- To disconnect, use the Windows settings for the display connection, or press Windows key + K again and select the option to stop projecting.
If your TV does not support Miracast, Microsoft documents a Miracast adapter that connects to the TV’s HDMI input. Set the TV to that input, follow the adapter’s own setup instructions, and make sure the adapter has the power it needs. Your PC must still support Miracast for this to work.
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Windows 10 and older installations
Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft’s wireless-display help covers both Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the walkthrough above is written for Windows 11. Treat Windows 10 steps as guidance for older installations that have not been upgraded.
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Troubleshoot common problems
- The TV does not appear in the wireless device list: confirm Miracast support on both the PC and the TV, turn on Wi-Fi on the PC, make sure the TV’s wireless display setting is enabled, and check that any adapter is powered and connected to the correct HDMI input.
- The wireless connection fails or drops: update the PC’s wireless and display-adapter drivers, restart both the PC and the wireless display, then remove the display in Windows settings and connect again.
- The TV shows no signal on a wired connection: check both ends of the cable, confirm the TV is on the matching HDMI input, and check the PC’s display settings. Menu labels differ between devices.
- Resolution or refresh rate is lower than expected: check the computer model, adapter specifications, TV input capabilities, and cable together. Apple’s Mac support material lists different HDMI limits for different models, and it cautions that some adapters do not support the highest listed HDMI modes. A connector shape alone does not guarantee a particular display mode.
- No sound comes from the TV: the sources used for this guide do not cover audio troubleshooting. As general practice, check that the computer’s sound output is set to the TV or HDMI device and that the TV volume is up and not muted.
Which route to choose
For most people with a desktop or laptop that has HDMI, a standard HDMI cable is the least troublesome option. For a laptop with only USB-C or Thunderbolt video output, use a compatible adapter after checking the mode you need. Choose Miracast only when the Windows PC and the TV both support it, or when a Miracast adapter can be added to a TV that lacks it.
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