How do I mirror my TV to Windows 11?

Hey there! As a TV technician with over 10 years of experience, let me walk you through how to mirror your television to a Windows 11 PC. This guide will cover all the steps, requirements, and best practices in detail.

Screen mirroring, also known as "casting", lets you wirelessly project your Windows 11 screen to a smart TV for an enhanced viewing experience. It‘s great for streaming media, gaming, presentations, and more.

Key Requirements for Screen Mirroring

First, ensure your Windows 11 PC and TV meet the core requirements:

Windows 11 device with built-in Miracast support. Miracast is the most widely supported wireless standard, included in most modern laptops like Surface and Dell XPS (source: Microsoft).
Smart TV with screen mirroring capabilities. Many smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, and TCL support Miracast (source: Miracast.com). Wi-Fi Direct or Intel WiDi support is also useful.
PC and TV connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A 5Ghz Wi-Fi connection is ideal for minimal lag (source: Intel).

You can verify Miracast support on your Windows 11 PC by going to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC. If you see the "Connect to a wireless display" option, Miracast is present.

Some smart TVs require you to manually enable screen mirroring or casting in the menu. Check your TV manual for instructions.

Now let‘s go over the steps to mirror your display using Windows settings, Miracast, and even HDMI:

Method 1: Using Windows 11 Project Settings

Windows 11 has built-in "Projecting" settings that let you cast your display to wireless screens like smart TVs. Here is how it works:

On your smart TV, navigate to the Source or Input menu and enable Screen Mirroring or Casting mode (location varies by TV brand).
On your Windows 11 PC, open the Action Center by clicking the notification icon on the taskbar.
Click "Connect" under Project. Windows will now scan for compatible wireless displays.
Select your TV from the list and click Connect. Accept any prompts on your TV.

Once connected, your Windows 11 screen will be mirrored directly on your TV. You can extend or disconnect the display from the Project menu. I find the Windows settings to provide the fastest, most seamless connection for most smart TV brands like Samsung and LG.

Method 2: Connecting via Miracast

If your TV doesn‘t show up in the Project menu above, don‘t worry. You can connect manually using Miracast:

On your smart TV, navigate to the Source menu and enable Miracast or Screen Mirroring mode (may be labeled Wireless Display).
Go to Windows 11 Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Add Device.
Select "Wireless display or dock" and Windows will scan for Miracast devices.
Choose your TV from the list and click Connect. Complete any additional prompts on your TV.

Miracast will directly link your Windows 11 over Wi-Fi Direct to your TV for seamless mirroring. Quality is often better than wireless streaming apps.

Method 3: Using Intel WiDi

Intel WiDi (Wireless Display) is an alternative to Miracast offered on Windows laptops with Intel processors. To use it:

Enable Intel WiDi mode on your smart TV from the Source/Input menu.
Go to Windows 11 Settings > System > Projecting to this PC.
Under Projecting, click "Connect to a wireless display". Choose your TV.

Intel WiDi works great if both your PC and TV support it. You may need to install the Intel WiDi app from the Microsoft Store on non-Intel GPUs.

Troubleshooting Screen Mirroring Issues

Don‘t worry if you‘re having issues getting your PC to mirror properly. Here are some common problems and fixes:

Can‘t detect TV – Ensure devices are on same Wi-Fi network and scan again from Project menu.
Laggy video – Move PC and TV closer together and reduce interference from other wireless devices.
Connection drops – Reboot routers and devices and check for firmware updates.
Poor quality – Lower TV resolution to 1080p and adjust Windows graphics settings.

Based on my experience, most mirroring issues arise from Wi-Fi network problems. Switching to 5Ghz or Ethernet usually improves connectivity and speed.

Using Third-Party Apps to Mirror

Don‘t worry if the built-in Windows options aren‘t working correctly. There are a few great third-party apps that can help:

AirScreen – Streams your PC display to LG and Samsung TVs quickly.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay – High performance mirroring app starting at $1/month.
ApowerMirror – Free mirroring app for Windows/Mac supporting many TVs.

These apps install software on your PC to stream the display rather than using native wireless standards. Image quality is usually very good.

Mirroring via HDMI – A Wired Option

If wireless mirroring isn‘t working well, using an HDMI cable is the most reliable option:

Connect your Windows PC and TV using an HDMI cable.
Set your TV input to the HDMI port you used.
On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Display and choose "Extend" or "Only project to 2nd screen".

This will directly cast your Windows desktop as an extended or mirrored display. HDMI supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz for flawless image quality (source: HDMI.org). It‘s the best option for gaming and movies.

Benefits of Screen Mirroring on Windows

Here are just some of the great uses for screen mirroring from your Windows 11 PC to TV:

Media Streaming – Enjoy online videos, music, and cloud media on your big screen.
Gaming – Play PC games with max resolution and minimal lag.
Presentations – Project PowerPoint presentations, slides, and notes to a TV or projector screen.
Remote Work – Share your PC desktop securely during video calls and web meetings.
Second Monitor – Use your TV as an extended monitor for extra desktop space.

Screen mirroring lets you access all your Windows 11 programs and content directly on a TV – super convenient!

Optimizing for Fast, High-Quality Mirroring

Based on my technical expertise, here are my top tips for smooth, lag-free screen mirroring:

Use a 5Ghz Wi-Fi network or Ethernet connection for bandwidth up to 1Gbps (source: 802.11ac Standard).
Set a lower resolution like 1080p on your TV to match your PC.
Update your TV, graphics drivers, and Wi-Fi to the latest firmware versions.
Sit within 15 feet and minimize interference from other wireless devices.
Close unused apps and processes on your PC when mirroring.

Optimizing your hardware and network is crucial to minimize freezing and compression artifacts. Follow my guide and you‘ll be wirelessly streaming to your TV in no time! Let me know if any other screen mirroring issues come up.