Although most of the laptops have a marginal display screen, still, there are times when we need to have an even bigger display.
There are a lot of options available in the market that you can use to connect your laptop to the TV.
Especially, when we need to watch movies or share our photos with the whole family.
However, not all of them work for all the laptops.
Therefore, we have put together this complete list of options that you can use to connect your laptop to the TV, both wirelessly, and wired.
How to Connect Laptop to TV Wirelessly
Connecting your laptop to the TV wirelessly is the most convenient option that you can use, as you don’t have to mess with different cables and dongles.
The method for connecting your laptop to a TV wirelessly differs with the type of TV that you have. If you have a smart TV, then you do not need any additional TV.
However, if you have one of the older TV models, then you might need an additional device, like the Chromecast in order to mirror your laptop screen on your TV.
If you do not know whether you have a smart TV or not, you can check it here [Put Next Article Link Here].
Depending upon the type of TV, you can follow one of the guides given below.
How to Connect Laptop to Smart TV Wirelessly
Luckily, If you have a smart TV that comes with a screen mirroring feature, you do not need to have any additional accessory, you simply have to connect your laptop to the same network as your laptop, and put on a few extra clips.
Here are the complete steps for Connecting Your Laptop to Smart TV:
- Firstly, connect your laptop, and your Smart TV to the same wireless network.
- If you are on Windows 10, all you have is to click on the right bottom of the screen and click on the Connect button.
- Now, choose your TV name from the list of the available devices.
- You should be able to watch your laptop’s content replicated on the bigger screen.
Related Post: How to Connect Non Smart TV to WIFI
How to Connect Laptop to TV using Chromecast
We do understand that not all Smart TVs come with a built-in screen mirroring features, and you surely don’t need to upgrade your working TV for getting the screen mirroring feature.
There are devices like the Chromecast available in the market, that allow you to cast your mobile, and laptop screen on your TV.
Here are the things you need for connecting a laptop to a TV using the Chromecast.
- Chromecast Device
- HDMI Cable
Steps for Connecting Laptop to TV via Chromecast
- Firstly, you need to connect the Chromecast device to the TV by plugging in one end of the HDMI cable to the Chromecast device, and the other end of the HDMI cable to the TV.
- Change the source using the TV remote to select the right display source.
- Now, you will see a setup wizard on your TV screen.
- Connect the Chromecast to your home wireless network, and pass through the setup wizard.
- Now, open the desktop screen of your laptop, and click on the right bottom of your screen.
- Scroll down to the connect button, and select your TV from the list of the available devices.
- You will be able to cast your laptop screen onto the TV now.
How to Connect Laptop to TV Using Roku
If you already have a ROKU device laying around, or you do not like the Chromecast for some reason, you can use it to mirror the laptop screen to the TV.
The process for connecting the Roku device to TV is pretty straightforward. In addition, ROKU offers more than 3000 streaming channels.
So, you can use it for mirroring your laptop screen as well as for a number of other uses.
Here is what you need:
- ROKU Device
- HDMI Cable
Steps for Connecting Laptop to TV using Roku
- First thing first, you need to connect the Roku device to your TV using one of the HDMI ports on your TV.
- Select the right AV from the source settings of your TV using the remote.
- Now, you have to access the Menu Settings by using the ROKU remote.
- Head to the System, and then finally select the Screen Mirroring option.
- Now, you have to enable screen mirroring.
- You have now successfully enabled the screen mirroring on your ROKU device, now go to the desktop of your laptop (on Windows 10), and click on the right bottom.
- You will see a taskbar, select the Connect Option, and finally choose the Screen Mirroring.
- Select your TV from the list of available devices.
- If everything is right, you should see your laptop content on your TV screen now.
Related Post: How to Connect N64 to Samsung Smart TV
How to Connect Laptop to TV Using Apple TV
If you are diehard Apple and own several Apple devices, then getting the Apple TV will be a better choice for your needs, as you can seamlessly mirror your Macbook, as well as IOS devices on TV using the Apple TV.
Also, check whether your Smart TV has built-in Airplay or not, if your Smart TV has built-in Airplay, then you do not need Apple TV in order to connect your Mac or IOS device to the TV.
Here is what you need:
- Apple TV or Airplay Enabled TV
- HDMI Cable (for attaching Apple TV)
Steps for Connecting Macbook to Airplay Enabled Smart TV
- Connect your Macbook and your Smart TV to the same wireless network.
- On your Macbook, click on the computer icon present at the top right, and select your Smart TV.
- If you don’t see the computer icon, click on the Apple logo, go to the System Preference, and finally click on the Display.
- Now, select your smart TV from the list of available devices.
Steps for Connecting Macbook to TV Using Apple TV
- Connect the Apple TV to your TV using an HDMI cable.
- Tune the source type from the source settings using the TV remote.
- Now, click on the computer icon, and choose your TV.
- If there is no computer option, then select the Apple icon, and finally click on the System Preference.
- You should see the mirroring option now.
How to Connect Laptop to TV with HDMI
You can also connect your laptop to the TV using the HDMI cable in the traditional old-school way. You do not require to have a smart TV or any additional device in order to connect your laptop to the TV.
All you need to have is an HDMI cable. You can simply connect your laptop to the TV using an HDMI cable.
Steps for Connecting Laptop to TV Using HDMI Cable
- Connect the Laptop to the TV using the HDMI cable.
- Change the TV source using the remote.
- Now, you should be able to see all your laptop contents on your TV.
Related Post: How to Connect Samsung Smart TV to Verizon Fios
How to Connect Laptop to TV with VGA Port
If you have an older laptop with the VGA port, you can still connect it to the TV using an HDMI to VGA converter.
The VGA to HDMI converter will allow you to connect your laptop with the TV, as is the case with the HDMI cable.
Although, you would not be able to hear the sounds on the TV.
Still, you can output your sound using external speakers.
Here is what you need:
- VGA to HDMI Converter
- HDMI Cable
Steps for Connecting Laptop to TV with VGA Port
- Connect the VGA to HDMI Converter to your laptop.
- Now plug in one end of the HDMI cable to your laptop and the other end of the cable to your TV.
- Select the right source type from the AV settings of your TV.
If you want to hear the sound as well, you need to connect your laptop to external speakers for this purpose.
How to Connect a Laptop to TV with Type-C Port
Most modern laptops come with a Type-C port. In fact, there are laptops that come with type-C ports only.
If you want to connect your laptop to the TV directly, then you need to have a type-c port on your TV, if your TV does not have a type-c port, then you can also use a Type-C to HDMI converter in order to mirror your laptop screen to TV.
Here is what you need:
- TYPE-C to HDMI Converter
- HDMI Cable
Steps for Connecting a Laptop to TV with Type-C Port
- Attach the Type-C to HDMI converter to your laptop.
- Now plug in an HDMI cable to your TV as well as to your Laptop.
- Change the source settings using the TV remote.
- TADA! Now you should see all your laptop content on the big screen.
Conclusion
There are a bunch of different methods that you can use to connect the laptop to the TV.
In this blog post, we have put together a whole range of different methods (wired+wireless), that you can use.
If you have any questions regarding connecting the laptop to the TV, tell us in the comments section below.
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