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How to Cast a Laptop to a TV Without Chromecast: 5 Methods to Try

As an owner of a laptop, I know the frustration of wanting to cast from my device to my TV without having to purchase a Chromecast. After trying and failing to find a solution, I decided to do some research and testing to see if there was a workaround. I am here to share how I solved the issue and other solutions I discovered to cast a laptop to a TV without Chromecast. In this blog post, I will outline five methods to try.

Well, thankfully, there are a few methods to cast a laptop to a TV without Chromecast. These include using Windows 10 wireless settings, an HDMI cable, a VGA cable, and AirPlay Mirroring.

Tips:

  • You can cast a laptop to a TV without using Chromecast using five methods.
  • You can use Windows 10 wireless settings or AirPlay Mirroring to establish a wireless connection between the laptop and TV.
  • You can also use an HDMI or VGA cable to establish a physical connection between the laptop and TV.
  • Make sure to buy any necessary adapters for Mini HDMI and Mini DisplayPort ports.
  • Make sure to enable “Network discovery” and “File and printer sharing” in Windows 10 settings to enable media file casting.

Method 1: Use a Laptop That Features Windows 10 and a Smart TV

If you have a Windows 10 (or higher) laptop and a smart TV, this mirroring method can be your easiest attempt to connect both. It requires no wires and no additional devices, just a few simple steps.

Here’s how to use Windows 10 settings to cast your laptop screen to a smart TV:

  • Press the “Home” button on your TV’s remote
  • Select “Project” or “Screen mirroring” (some TV models will require you to click on “Apps” first)
  • On your Windows laptop, go to the settings menu and pick “Devices”
  • Go to “Bluetooth & other devices,” then select “Add Bluetooth or other device”
  • Click on “Wireless display or dock”
  • A menu of devices will show up then, so select the name of your smart TV from it to begin casting

You can also cast your laptop to your TV using the web browser method.

Method 2: Connect an HDMI Cable Between the Laptop and the TV

Another nifty trick you can try is to establish a physical, wired connection between the TV and your laptop. This should be your best option if your TV isn’t smart or you don’t have a Windows 10 laptop.

Here, all you’ll have to do is get an HDMI cable, then attach it to the output port on your laptop and the input port on the TV. After that, use your remote control to switch to this new input channel, and voila, you’re done!

Chances are you already have an HDMI cable at home, and if not, you can find it available in your nearest hardware store or online.

Yet, one thing you should keep in mind is that many new laptop models, especially those thin, lightweight ones, come with Mini HDMI ports. In this case, you’ll need to buy a Mini HDMI to HDMI adapter.

Also, some laptops have a Mini DisplayPort and not an HDMI port. Don’t worry about that either, because you can always buy a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to solve this minor issue!

Method 3: Establish a Wireless Connection Between Your Windows 10 Laptop and a Smart TV

This is another quick way to cast media from your laptop to your smart TV, one file at a time. It’s not made for sharing a screen projection but rather for sending a video or photo file to your TV so that you can view it on the bigger screen.

To cast media files to a smart TV:

  • Open the Network and Sharing Center on your Windows laptop
  • Go to “Advanced sharing settings” and make sure that “Network discovery” and “File and printer sharing” are on
  • Head over to the video or photo file that you wish to cast and right-click on it
  • From the drop-down menu, choose “Cast to Device” and pick the name of your smart TV

Method 4: Use a VGA Cable to Share Your Laptop Screen With Your TV

People with older TV and laptop models will mostly benefit from using a VGA cable instead of an HDMI cable to secure a nice mirroring experience.

If you fit into that description, here are the steps to follow to use a VGA cable to connect your laptop and TV:

  • Insert the VGA cable to its dedicated ports on the TV and the laptop
  • Use a 3.5mm audio cable to connect the TV and the laptop (essential for sharing audio input)
  • Switch both devices on
  • Using the remote control, choose the RGB input or the PC

Despite being tried and true, this connection method has several downsides. For instance, you’ll need separate cables for the video and audio, and you won’t get a high-resolution video quality.

Read more: Chromecast fullscreen not working

Method 5: Go for AirPlay Mirroring

This should be your number one option if you have an Apple TV along with a Mac. If you don’t have an Apple TV, a good alternative will be attaching an Apple TV box to your TV. 

Still, many smart TVs nowadays are compatible with AirPlay, so that’s great to know!

Here’s how to use AirPlay mirroring:

  • Power up both your Mac and TV
  • On your laptop, head over to the menu bar and pick Control Center
  • Select “Screen Mirroring,” then choose the name of your smart TV

The Bottom Line

Read more: How do you manually turn on a Samsung TV?

Knowing how to cast a laptop to a TV without Chromecast is a valuable skill to learn if your trustworthy Chromecast isn’t within reach.

You can set up a connection between your laptop and TV wirelessly through your Windows 10 settings or using AirPlay. If you prefer a more physical approach, HDMI and VGA cables should have your back!