How to Connect a Laptop to a TV Using HDMI

An HDMI cable lets you use your TV as a big monitor for your laptop — great for video calls, streaming, or showing photos to family.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Get the Right Cable and Adapter
2.Plug In the HDMI Cable
3.Switch Your TV to the Right Input
4.Set Up Display Mode on Your Laptop (Windows)
5.Adjust Resolution If the Picture Looks Off

Get the Right Cable and Adapter

~24s

Check your laptop's ports. Full-size HDMI (looks like a wide trapezoid) connects directly. USB-C or Thunderbolt ports need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Check your TV — locate the HDMI ports on the back or side and note which HDMI number (1, 2, 3) you'll use.

Quick Tip

If you're not sure what ports your laptop has, take a photo of the sides of your laptop and search for its model name plus "ports" online.

Plug In the HDMI Cable

~15s

With both the TV and laptop on, plug one end of the HDMI cable into your laptop (or adapter) and the other end into the TV's HDMI port. The cable only goes in one way — don't force it.

Switch Your TV to the Right Input

~15s

Press the "Input," "Source," or "Home" button on your TV remote. A list of inputs appears (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Select the HDMI number that matches where you plugged in the cable. Your laptop screen should now appear on the TV.

Set Up Display Mode on Your Laptop (Windows)

~24s

Press the Windows key + P on your keyboard. A sidebar appears with options: Duplicate (mirror laptop on TV), Extend (TV is a second screen), Second screen only (only TV shows content), or PC screen only. Choose "Duplicate" to mirror your screen on both displays.

Quick Tip

On Mac: Go to Apple menuSystem SettingsDisplays. You'll see both screens and can drag to arrange them or check "Mirror Displays."

Adjust Resolution If the Picture Looks Off

~17s

If text looks blurry or the picture doesn't fill the screen: Windows — right-click the desktop → Display Settings → change Resolution to match your TV's native resolution (usually 1920×1080 for HD TVs). Mac — System SettingsDisplays → select the TV → choose the appropriate resolution.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Connect a Laptop to a TV Using HDMI

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Connecting a laptop to a TV is one of the most practical tech setups — you get a much larger screen for video calls, family photo slideshows, streaming movies, or doing anything you'd normally do on your laptop. All you need is an HDMI cable.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) carries both video and audio through a single cable. Most TVs have at least two or three HDMI ports on the back or side. Most Windows laptops also have a full-size HDMI port. MacBooks and newer Windows ultrabooks often only have USB-C ports, so you'll need a small USB-C to HDMI adapter (costs about $10-15).

Once connected, your TV becomes a second screen — or you can set it to mirror your laptop screen exactly. Mirroring is the most common choice: whatever is on your laptop screen also appears on the TV.

The connection is instant — no Wi-Fi needed, no passwords, no setup. You plug in the cable, switch your TV to the right HDMI input, and the laptop screen appears on TV.

Sound comes through the TV speakers automatically when you use HDMI, which is usually better than laptop speakers. You can still adjust the volume with your TV remote.

HDMI cables come in different lengths — 6-foot cables work for most living room setups. Longer cables (10 or 15 feet) let you keep the laptop further from the TV. Standard HDMI cables from any store work fine — you don't need to pay extra for "high-speed" or "premium" cables for typical home use.

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