In this article, we’ll explain how to connect a laptop to a TV using an HDMI cable. We’ll explain exactly what you need and the settings to use on your laptop for best results.
Quick Answer: Connect your laptop to the TV using an HDMI cable. You may need an adapter if your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port.
What Equipment Do You Need?
Almost any TV made in the last 20 years has an HDMI input, so that is what we’ll use to connect our laptop.
- HDMI Cable
No need to go crazy; an Amazon essentials HDMI cable will work just fine. - HDMI Adapter
Laptops without an HDMI port require an adapter. For example, our Dell XPS laptop needs a USB to HDMI adapter. Macbooks need a UBS-C to HSMI adapter. We always recommend using an official adapter, especially for Apple products.
How To Connect A Laptop To TV
Time needed: 1 minute.
- Restart your computer & power up the TV
Restarting the laptop and turning the TV off and on will solve most connection problems. - Connect HDMI adapter to laptop (if required)
- Connect laptop and TV with HDMI cable
Plug one end into the output/adapter on your computer and the other into the HDMI 1 input on the TV.
You can use other HDMI inputs on the TV; just remember which one you’re using and select the appropriate source using the remote.
Setup Extended Display
By default, the TV will show the same content as the laptop screen. However, there are times when you want your guests to see the main content on the TV while you have something else on the laptop screen.
There are various display options when you connect your laptop to a TV. You can access them by pressing “Windows Key” + P.
- PC Screen Only
Turns off the feed to the TV; only the laptop screen will be live. - Duplicate
The laptop and TV will show the same content. - Extended
The laptop and TV screens act as individual displays. You can drag content from one to the other. Great for having presentation slides on the TV and your notes on the laptop. - Second Screen Only
Turns off the laptop screen; only the TV screen will be live.
How To Connect A Laptop To TV Equipment Prices
- USB-C Multiport Adapter: https://currentprice.io/multiport
- Mini Display Port to HDMI Cable: https://geni.us/ZdZ5
- HDMI Cable: https://currentprice.io/6ft_hdmi
- Dell XPS Laptop: https://geni.us/UTh7aNc
How To Connect A Laptop To TV Topics
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:45 What Equipment Do You Need?
- 1:55 How To Connect A Laptop To TV
- 3:20 Setup Extended Display
- 4:35 Final Thoughts
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