How to Cast from Windows 11 to TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to enjoy your favorite videos, games, or presentations on a bigger screen? Good news — Windows 11 makes it easy to cast your laptop or PC screen to a TV. Whether you’re using a smart TV, a streaming device like Chromecast, or Miracast-enabled display, this guide will walk you through every step in a simple and practical way.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to connect your Windows 11 device to a TV — wirelessly or with a cable — and troubleshoot common issues like lag or no signal.

Table of Contents

Why Cast from Windows 11 to Your TV?

Casting is a game-changer when you want to:

Watch movies or YouTube videos on a bigger screen.
Play PC games on your TV for a more immersive experience.
Show slideshows or presentations during meetings.
Mirror your laptop for quick demos.

It’s like turning your TV into a giant second monitor — and who doesn’t love that?

Step 1: Check Compatibility

Before you begin, make sure:

Your TV supports Miracast, Chromecast, or has a casting feature built-in.
Your Windows 11 laptop/PC has Wi-Fi enabled and supports wireless display.
Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (if casting wirelessly).

You can check if your PC supports wireless display:

Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
Save the information and look under “Miracast” — it should say Available.

Step 2: Connect Your TV to the Same Network

For wireless casting to work, your TV and PC must share the same Wi-Fi network.

Open your TV settings and check its network connection.
Make sure it’s connected to the same network as your Windows 11 device.

Step 3: Open Windows 11 Cast Settings

Here’s how to access the cast feature:

Press Windows + K on your keyboard.
A sidebar will pop up showing available wireless displays and devices.

Alternatively, you can:

Open Action Center by pressing Windows + A.
Click Cast or Project from the quick settings menu.

Step 4: Select Your TV

Once the list of devices appears:

Choose your TV or wireless display from the list.
Wait a few seconds while Windows connects.
Your screen should now appear on the TV.

Step 5: Choose Projection Mode

Windows 11 lets you choose how to project your screen:

Duplicate – Shows the same screen on your laptop and TV.
Extend – Turns your TV into a second monitor for multitasking.
Second Screen Only – Displays only on your TV.

Press Windows + P to open projection options quickly.

Step 6: Adjust Display Settings (Optional)

If your TV resolution looks off:

Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
Scroll to Scale & layout and adjust the resolution or scaling.

This helps make text and icons look sharper.

Step 7: Cast Media from Microsoft Edge or Apps

You don’t always have to mirror the entire screen — you can cast just a video or tab:

Open Microsoft Edge.
Click the three-dot menu (top-right corner).
Select More tools > Cast media to device.
Pick your TV from the list.

This is great for streaming YouTube or Netflix without mirroring everything.

Step 8: Using Chromecast or Streaming Stick

If your TV doesn’t support Miracast but you have Chromecast or Fire TV Stick:

For Chromecast: Install Google Chrome and use Cast option (top-right menu > Cast).
For Fire TV Stick: Enable Display Mirroring from Fire TV settings, then connect from Windows as usual.

Step 9: Casting with HDMI Cable (Wired Option)

Prefer a lag-free connection? Use an HDMI cable:

Plug one end into your laptop’s HDMI port.
Connect the other end to your TV.
Use the TV remote to switch to the correct HDMI input.

Windows 11 should auto-detect and display your screen.

Step 10: Disconnecting the Cast

When you’re done:

Press Windows + K.
Click Disconnect next to your TV name.

Or simply turn off your TV’s casting option.

Troubleshooting Casting Issues

If you face problems, try these quick fixes:

No TV detected? Restart your TV and PC, then reconnect.
Lag or stutter? Move closer to the Wi-Fi router or use a 5GHz network.
No sound? Right-click the sound icon, select Playback devices, and choose your TV.
Compatibility issue? Update your Windows 11 drivers and check Miracast availability.

Tips for a Smooth Casting Experience

Close unnecessary apps to reduce lag.
Use a strong Wi-Fi connection.
Keep your graphics drivers up to date.
Adjust display resolution for better quality.

Conclusion

Casting from Windows 11 to your TV is surprisingly easy once you know the steps. Whether you use Miracast, Chromecast, or a good old HDMI cable, you can enjoy your laptop content on a big screen in just a few clicks. With proper setup, you’ll have smooth video playback, no lag, and the perfect screen size for movies, work, or gaming.

FAQs

1. Do I need a smart TV to cast from Windows 11?
No, you can also use Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or an HDMI cable.

2. Why isn’t my TV showing up on the list?
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and Miracast is enabled.

3. Can I cast just a single app window instead of the whole screen?
Yes! Some apps (like Edge or Netflix) allow casting only the video window.

4. Is casting wireless slower than HDMI?
Yes, wired HDMI gives a smoother, lag-free experience, especially for gaming.

5. Can I use Bluetooth to cast my screen?
No, screen casting requires Wi-Fi (Miracast) or a wired HDMI connection — Bluetooth can’t handle video streaming.