As an avid gamer, I was recently frustrated when I tried to stream games from my PC to my laptop, only to be met with a series of technical issues. After doing some research and trying out various tips and tricks, I finally figured out how to make it work. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the solution I found and some other methods I discovered while researching how to stream games from PC to laptop.
There are multiple ways to stream games from PC to laptop. These usually involve a gaming platform with a projecting option. The most common example is Steam, but there are a few others, like Moonlight and Parsec.
| Method | Requirements | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | – Gaming PC – Laptop – High-speed internet connection – Steam Link app | 1. Set up your PC with a stable internet connection and launch the Steam app. 2. Set up your laptop on the same network and install the Steam Link app. 3. Launch the Steam Link app and connect it to your gaming PC. 4. Customize your stream settings if necessary. |
| Moonlight | – Gaming PC with NVIDIA GeForce GPU – Laptop – High-speed internet connection – Moonlight app | Similar to the Steam Link method, but requires a gaming PC with an NVIDIA GeForce GPU and the Moonlight app installed on the laptop. |
| Parsec | – Gaming PC – Laptop – High-speed internet connection – Parsec app | Similar to the Steam Link method, but uses the Parsec app for streaming games between the gaming PC and laptop. |
Table of Contents
Streaming to New Devices
Gaming PCs have special processors and graphics cards that allow them to perform at a high level.
Still, to operate well, these PCs tend to be quite bulky, which makes portability an issue. For that reason, you may want to use a different device.
Unfortunately, most devices don’t come with the same features. So, as a compromise, you can combine the two.
Using remote access, people can share their gaming PC screens with other devices. This streaming service allows gamers to use the processor of the PC with the portability of a laptop.
To do that, you’ll need:
- A gaming PC
- A laptop
- A high-speed internet connection (at least 15 Mbps)
- A streaming platform
There are a few different streaming platforms you can use to share your PC screen. However, it’s always best to use one that is compatible with gaming.
The most common application people use is Steam Link. It allows users to project their PC screens onto multiple different devices.
Streaming With Steam Link
As a gamer, you probably already own a few of Steam’s games. The platform has been around for many years and has thousands of options in its stores.
If that’s the case, then you’re on your way to streaming. All you’ll need is the Steam Link app, and you’re ready to go.
Let’s dive into the steps of streaming games from your PC to your laptop with Steam Link.
Step 1: Setting Up Your PC
The first thing you want to do is prepare your PC for the streaming session. This is an incredibly simple process.
Start off by making sure you connect your PC to a stable internet connection. Wi-Fi should work fine here, but an ethernet cable should give you a smoother experience.
After that, launch the Steam app and log in to your account. Then, find the game you want to stream and click play.
Step 2: Setting Up Your Laptop
Once the PC is ready, it’s time to set up your laptop. To begin, you need to connect your device to the internet.
The best way to go is to connect it to the same network your PC is working on. This will help cut down on lagging and stuttering.
Then, you’ll need to install the Steam Link app. The program is available for both Windows and iOS, so you should have no trouble installing it.
Step 3: Launching the Steam Link App
After you download and install the Steam Link app, you can start streaming.
To do that, you can follow these steps:
- Launch the app on your laptop.
- Go to the settings menu.
- Find the Remote Play tab.
- Scan for available Steam Platforms.
- Locate your gaming PC.
- Enable direct connection.
- Choose the best streaming option for you.
- Click on “OK” to start streaming.
Once this process is complete, your laptop should provide you with a unique pin. You’ll need to enter this number into your gaming PC to connect the two devices.
If a pin number pop-up doesn’t appear on your PC screen, you may have to do a little more searching.
Go into the Steam app and find the Remote Play tab in the settings menu. There, you should be able to locate the linking page.
When you get to this point, simply enter the pin and start the stream.
Step 4: Customizing Your Stream
When you start a stream, the connection will launch with default settings. These are preset to determine the resolution and performance of the setup.
Usually, the settings work well for most games, but sometimes you need to make a few changes.
If the game you’re playing is too dark or bright, the defaults may not be the best option.
Luckily, you can make quick alterations in the Steam app.
To do that, you’ll need to use your gaming PC. Navigate to the Remote Play tab and view the options.
In this menu, you should be able to tweak the brightness and resolution of your stream. You can also set up a security code to protect your network.
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to stream games from PC to laptop. To do that, you’ll need to allow your laptop remote access to your PC.
There are a few platforms that can help you stream games, like Steam Link. Once you download the app, you should be able to connect your two devices.
In addition, you can also customize the stream to match the game you’re playing.