If your Windows 11 PC and your TV refuse to get along, try these tricks to get them working together once more.
Whether it's sharing your presentation or streaming Netflix from your laptop, there are multiple reasons why you'd want to project content on a much larger TV screen. And there are also a multitude of things that can go awry and disrupt the entire screen mirroring process.
If that's the case, we've compiled a list of things you need to know to project your Windows 11 laptop to your TV successfully.
Coming across error messages as soon as you plug an HDMI cable into a Windows 11 laptop isn’t a rare occurrence. In fact, many users report their Windows device fails to identify their 4K TV, leading to unsuccessful screen mirroring.
It may sound like a head-scratcher, but figuring it out isn’t complicated. Here are a few ways you can get to the bottom of this issue:
Even though all new gadgets have screen mirroring abilities baked right into them, some old ones don’t. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to display your Windows 11 content on a bigger screen; just trickier.
So remember, error messages on Windows 11 laptops don’t always signal hardware issues. It may just be a lack of compatibility between the devices, and here’s how you confirm that.
First, we'll run a check on the laptop:
Next, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support is an effective way to evaluate the TV's compatibility as many Smart TVs are manufactured with Miracast or Chromecast in mind. We recommend you begin by checking the following places: your TV's manual, the manufacturer's website, or a retailer that specializes in Smart TVs.
Windows 11 offers compatibility with a wide range of devices, including older monitors and TVs. However, in some cases, Windows may have difficulty detecting the display automatically, which may be why you're unable to project the contents of your Windows 11 laptop on your TV.
To resolve this, here are a few easy-to-implement steps that you should follow:
There is a chance you’re not using the latest display drivers on your Windows 11 laptop. If that’s the case, these outdated drivers will brew trouble with the screen mirroring process, and so, updating them is necessary to fix this issue.
Here’s how you update your Windows 11 display drivers:
This will let Windows run a search and update the best available driver for your device.
If Windows fails to find anything, check out our guide on how to update your graphics driver on Windows for alternative methods you can try.
If you connect your Windows laptop to a TV through an HDMI cable, you can’t move it too far away. It isn’t always possible to have a computer set up so close to the TV either. Therefore, alternates like Chromecast seem more practical to project contents from a small screen to a much bigger one wirelessly.
Chromecast is a handy media streamer that allows you to share Windows 11 laptop screen onTV. It works buttery smooth for some users, but others complain about facing a black screen displaying a “Source not supported” error; this could happen for many reasons, ranging from new updates to unstable network connections.
Thus, here are a few ways to fix whatever is interrupting your wireless mirroring experience:
Chrome has a set of advanced, experimental settings where you can initiate mirroring from your Chrome browser. All you have to do is:
If you're still unable to project a Windows laptop to your TV, try disabling VPN and Real-Time Protection next; this may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes these security features can interfere with the Chromecast's ability to connect to your TV.
To disable real-time protection, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Here, go to Manage settings > Real-time protection and switch off the toggle. This will disable real-time protection, but remember that it also makes your computer vulnerable to malware and viruses, so do this when absolutely necessary.
Next, to disable the VPN:
Many users find that this common issue arises due to Chromecast not being up-to-date. To update Chromecast:
Once your Chromecast is updated, try projecting Windows 11 again and check if your issue is fixed.
While watching something on the phone comes with its own perks, there are times when its contents need to be shared with everyone else in the room. There's so much you can share, whether it's gaming, a movie, or pictures, on a big TV screen. Hopefully, these fixes helped you get your screen sharing working once more.
While pursuing a Masters (Honors) degree in Industrial Psychology, Maham is also expanding and nurturing her interest in tech with MUO. She’s a Staff Writer who primarily writes about Microsoft Windows. Outside of work, she likes to read books, paint, and travel whenever possible.
