These days, our computers and televisions may seem almost interchangeable. But the truth is, there are still some things that exist within our laptops but not on our smart or not-so-smart TVs. Whether you want to stream video content from a streaming app, use a TV in place of a monitor, or present information to a crowded room, there are a number of situations when you may want to connect your laptop to your TV.
Here’s a rundown on how, from the easiest to the most old-school ways to connect.
If you're an Apple person, you’re going to want to consider the AirPlay feature. AirPlay is an Apple setting that casts your Apple devices to another AirPlay-enabled device. The drawback is that it only works on Apple-compatible devices that include the AirPlay function. Currently that means some Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models, but the list is growing, as many manufacturers are now including it on the new sets.
Similar to a Bluetooth connection, when you choose to link your laptop via AirPlay, you’ll select the TV from the available display options and then wait for a code to appear on the TV screen that you enter on the laptop to complete the link.
Google offers a similar feature in their devices; it's called Chromecast. Like AirPlay or Bluetooth, it allows you to connect to similarly enabled devices. You can check to see if your TV is already Chromecast-compatible by looking at the box or at the owner’s manual. If your TV isn’t enabled, Chromecast offers a similar setup with a streaming player connected to your TV via HDMI, through which you can cast various devices and apps.
Unlike Apple’s AirPlay, which will only work on Apple products, Chromecast can enable non-Google products by using a third-party app like Streamer, which you would download onto the Chromecast devices and then pair with your Apple computer, for example.
You can even cast your laptop via Roku using the Mirror app, which you would download from the Roku app or “channel” store, or any of the similar casting applications designed specifically for use on Roku, which you can find by searching on your Roku.
It’s also possible — although shocking — that none of these options are available to you. In that case, you may need to literally connect the laptop to the television with a cord. The best option is to use an HDMI cord, which plugs into the inputs labeled HDMI on your TV.
The HDMI is the receptacle on your TV or laptop that looks like a cross between a rectangle and a triangle. Most TVs have more than one, so when you go to select the source via the TV’s remote, you’ll need to choose from HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc. It doesn’t matter which one, just that you know which to set the device to.
Many laptops offer a full-sized HDMI output; you'll just need to connect the two devices by plugging one end of the HDMI cord into the laptop and the other into the TV. Make sure you select the right HDMI outlet number as the source of your TV screen by using your TV remote to go to settings and choose the source.
Some laptops feature a Mini- or micro-HDMI: For these, you just need a micro to standard HDMI adapter, which you can buy online at Amazon or BestBuy, or at your local Target, Walmart, or electronics store, to connect to your TV.
HDMI also can connect, using an adaptor, to laptops that feature a Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, or Mini DisplayPort. Remember, you can check your laptop's specs online to determine which you need and what you need to connect.
Finally, there is the increasingly popular USB-C port, which is showing up on new MacBooks and other non-Apple devices as well. The USB-C is that versatile, tiny input/output that is often also used to charge the device. The USB-C to HDMI adapter should work here.
The most vital troubleshooting tip for any of these options is to make sure that your TV is set to the correct source, i.e., the corresponding HDMI port or AirPlay setting or Chromecast option or third-party app. If you're connecting via HDMI port 1, you’ll want to make sure you’ve selected that in the settings, and if you're using a Chromecast player, you’ll want to make sure you have selected as the source whichever port that is connected. Otherwise you’ll be stuck staring at an alternate image on the screen, wondering where you went wrong.
