Easily Hook Up or Connect a Computer to a TV

Download Article

An easy guide to display your PC on a TV screen

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: October 16, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Using HDMI or DisplayPort
|
• Using Wi-Fi
|
• Using DVI or VGA
|
• Troubleshooting
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Did you know that you can display video and play audio from your computer on your TV? It's actually pretty easy, especially now that so many TVs are "smart." This wikiHow article will teach you the easiest ways to connect your Windows PC to a TV, including using an HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA cable, or by wirelessly streaming to a smart TV or streaming device. We've also included expert tips from computer & tech specialist Luigi Oppido.

Quickly Connect a PC to a Computer

1. Connect your PC to your TV using an HDMI or DisplayPort cable.
2. Right-click your computer’s display and click Display Settings.
3. Click Detect to detect your TV.
4. Press Win + P.
5. Select a secondary display option.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Using HDMI or DisplayPort

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Connect your PC to your TV with a male-to-male HDMI or DP cable. The HDMI or DP (DisplayPort) ports on the computer and the HDMI port on the TV will be exactly the same, and the HDMI or DisplayPort cable should have the same connector on both ends.

   • Not all TVs or laptops have a DisplayPort port. If you are using a DisplayPort cable and your TV does not have a DisplayPort input, you may need to use a DisplayPort ot HDMI adapter.
   • If the TV has more than one HDMI port, make note of the port number you plug it into.
2. 
   2
   Change the input of the TV. Using the buttons on the TV or using the TV remote, press the Input or Source button. It may have an icon that resembles a rectangle with an arrow. Change the input of the TV to the HDMI port the computer is connected to.

   • Some TVs may do this automatically when they detect a signal.
   • If you don’t see an Input or Sources button on your remote, press the Home button and select the Sources menu from the Home menu on your TV. Then select the source or input your computer is connected to.
   • "With HDMI, it should be instant," explains Oppido. "It's a digital connection, and as soon as you plug it in and change the source, the computer should output to the TV."
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. This will open the display settings menu.
4. 
   4
   Click Multiple Displays (Windows 11). If you are using Windows 11, click the “Multiple Displays” menu option. It’s near the bottom of the menu.
5. 
   5
   Click Detect. This tells the computer to look for the TV you connected to. Look to see if there are two squares, labeled 1 and 2, in the display settings window.

   • Your computer may have already detected your TV.
6. 
   6
   Click Identify. This will show a label on each screen so you will know which number has been assigned to your computer monitor, and what number has been assigned to your TV ("1" being the main display and "2" being the secondary display).
7. 
   7
   Press the ⊞ Win+P keys. This displays the “Multiple Displays” options.
8. 
   8
   Select a multiple display layout. The options are as follows:

   • PC screen only - This disables the TV screen display and only displays an image on your PC screen
   • Duplicate - This displays the exact same image on both your TV screen and your computer screen.
   • Extend - This uses your TV screen as a second screen, allowing you to move items from your computer desktop to your TV desktop.
   • Second screen only - This option disables your computer display and only uses your TV screen as a display.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 4:

Using Wi-Fi

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Enable Wi-Fi mode on the TV. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to do so, access the Miracast protocol settings to configure your TV's Wi-Fi connection.

   • Not all TVs with Wi-Fi support this feature. According to Oppido, if your TV isn't a smart TV, you can usually add "smart" features by attaching a streaming device or adapter.
   • You can purchase a Miracast adapter or a streaming box that supports Miracast (i.e., Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Roku, etc).
2. 
   2
   Connect the TV to your Wi-Fi network. Oppido explains that both your computer and your TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network to wirelessly connect to one another.
3. 
   3
   Select the Screen Mirroring option on your TV if needed. On some TVs, you may need to press the Input or Source button on your remote and select the Screen Mirroring option, or select the Screen Mirroring option on the Home menu.
4. 
   4
   Right-click on the desktop and click Display settings. This opens the Display menu in the Settings.
5. 
   5
   Click Multiple Displays (Windows 11). If you are using Windows 11, click the “Multiple Displays” menu option. It’s near the bottom of the menu.
6. 
   6
   Click Connect next to “Connect to a Wireless Display.” This displays a list of wireless displays you can connect to on your network.

   • If you are using Windows 10, click Connect to a Wireless Display in the display settings menu instead.
   • Alternatively, you can press Win + K to display the Cast menu.
7. 
   7
   Select your TV. When you see your TV model or name, click it to connect to your TV wirelessly.
8. 
   8
   Press the ⊞ Win+P keys. This displays the “Multiple Displays” options.
9. 
   9
   Select a display layout. The options are as follows:

   • PC screen only - This disables the TV screen display and only displays an image on your PC screen
   • Duplicate - This displays the exact same image on both your TV screen and your computer screen.
   • Extend - This uses your TV screen as a second screen, allowing you to move items from your computer desktop to your TV desktop.
   • Second screen only - This option disables your computer display and only uses your TV screen as a display.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 4:

Using DVI or VGA

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Connect your computer to the TV with a male-to-male DVI or VGA cable. Both the DVI and VGA port on the computer and the TV should be exactly the same, and the cable should have the same connector on both ends.

   • Most TVs don’t have a DVI or VGA input. If your TV does not have one, you may need to get a DVI to HDMI adapter or a VGA to HDMI adapter.
   • On some TV's the VGA input is labeled "PC IN" or "Computer IN".
2. 
   2
   Connect your computer to the TV or sound system with an audio cable. This is a 3.5mm stereo audio cable, similar to the end of a headphone plug. Plug one end of the cable into the headphone jack on your computer, which is typically a green port. Then plug the other end into the audio-in port on the TV or sound system.

   • The audio-in port on the TV should be located near the DVI or VGA port you connected earlier.
3. 
   3
   Change the input of the TV. Using the buttons on the TV or using the TV remote, press the Input or Source button to change the input of the TV to DVI or VGA.

   • On some TVs, this input is labeled "PC" or "Computer".
   • Some TVs may do this automatically when they detect a signal.
4. 
   4
   Right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. This will open the display settings menu.
5. 
   5
   Click Detect. This tells the computer to look for the TV you connected. Look to see if there are two squares, labeled 1 and 2, in the display settings window.

   • Your computer may have already detected your TV.
6. 
   6
   Click Identify. This will show a label on each screen so you will know which number has been assigned to your computer monitor, and what number has been assigned to your TV ("1" being the main display and "2" being the secondary display).
7. 
   7
   Press the ⊞ Win+P keys. This displays the “Multiple Displays” options.
8. 
   8
   Select a display layout. The options are as follows:

   • PC screen only - This disables the TV screen display and only displays an image on your PC screen
   • Duplicate - This displays the exact same image on both your TV screen and your computer screen.
   • Extend - This uses your TV screen as a second screen, allowing you to move items from your computer desktop to your TV desktop.
   • Second screen only - This option disables your computer display and only uses your TV screen as a display.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Make sure you have the right cables or adapters. Sometimes cables can have the right connections but aren't made for the purpose of carrying audio or video signals. Make sure the cable is rated for audio/visual use.

   • Most computers don't send audio output through the DVI port, so a DVI to HDMI adapter won't carry any audio in most cases. If so, you'll need to hook up a separate audio cable.
2. 
   2
   Make sure all the cables are connected properly. Check that all the cables are plugged in properly to the ports and not loose. If the cable has thumb screws, like most DVI and VGA cables, make sure the screws are screwed in and snug.
3. 
   3
   Check the volume. Check that the volume is up on both the computer and TV, and make sure neither is on mute.
4. 
   4
   Change the audio output. If you're not getting sound, make sure you have the right audio output selected.

   • Click the Speaker icon in the lower-right corner of the taskbar.
   • Click the slider bar icon next to the volume slider bar.
   • Ensure the correct output device is selected (you may need to select “Headphones” to use the 3.5mm audio out jack).
5. 
   5
   Restart the computer and the TV. When all else fails, restarting the computer and the TV can help the computer detect that a new display is connected.
6. 
   6
   Check your computer's display calibration. Sometimes, an error message will pop up saying "HDMI not supported", which usually pops up when your TV and PC have different display settings for resolution.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  How do I wirelessly connect my computer to my TV?

  

  Luigi Oppido
  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Luigi Oppido

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  You can buy a receiver that plugs into your TV's HDMI port, like Chromecast or Apple Airplay. Once you have that, you can (if you need to) download the correct software onto your TV and then connect the receiver to you home's WiFi network. Once you've done that, you just have to pair your devices and then you can use your TV through your PC.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18
• Question

  How should we connect a computer to an LED TV?

  

  Community Answer

  HDMI is the best option. However, some computers are not equipped with an HDMI output, in which case you'd use a VGA cable.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 34 Helpful 80
• Question

  How do I make the cursor work when connecting my PC to my TV?

  

  Community Answer

  Using your keyboard and mouse, the TV simply becomes the computer's monitor. You can purchase wireless keyboards and mice to hook to the computer to facilitate remote use.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 15 Helpful 25

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!