How to connect your laptop to a TV with HDMI

The short answer

Plug one end of an HDMI cable into your laptop and the other into your TV, then switch the TV to the correct HDMI input.

What you need

  • An HDMI cable (any standard one will do)
  • A laptop with an HDMI port (full-size, mini, or micro)
  • A TV with an HDMI input (most TVs made after 2010 have at least one)

If your laptop only has USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a docking station with an HDMI output.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Turn on your TV and switch to the right HDMI input using the Source or Input button on your remote
  2. Plug the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your TV
  3. Connect the other end to your laptop’s HDMI port
  4. Your laptop screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds

If nothing shows up, press Windows key + P (Windows) or go to System Settings > Displays (Mac) to select a display mode.

Choosing a display mode

You typically get two options:

  • Mirror — shows the same thing on both screens, great for presentations or watching videos
  • Extend — turns your TV into a second monitor so you can drag windows between screens

On Windows, press Windows key + P to quickly switch between modes. On Mac, open System Settings > Displays and click Arrangement to configure how the screens work together.

Troubleshooting common issues

  • No picture on the TV — double-check you selected the correct HDMI input on your TV
  • No sound from the TV — right-click the speaker icon on your taskbar (Windows) or go to Sound settings (Mac) and select the TV as your audio output
  • Picture looks blurry — adjust your laptop’s display resolution to match your TV (usually 1920x1080)
  • Cable doesn’t fit — your laptop may have a mini HDMI or micro HDMI port, which needs a different cable or adapter