As a frustrated owner of a Smart TV, I was recently unable to get my TV to show up for screen mirroring despite trying all the tips and tricks I found online. After a lot of research, I was finally able to get my TV to show up for screen mirroring. In this post, I’ll be sharing how I solved my issue as well as other solutions I discovered in the process.
Generally, different issues with your phone and TV can cause screen mirroring problems. These include Bluetooth interference, TV incompatibility, a faulty mirroring app, and more.
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| TV Incompatibility | TV doesn’t support AirPlay or mirroring | Check product manual or online compatibility list |
| Setting Restrictions | Screen Time or privacy feature on phone | Go to Settings, open Screen Time, and turn it off |
| Bluetooth Interference | Existing Bluetooth connection on the TV | Disable Bluetooth on the TV |
| Poor Internet Connection | Weak Wi-Fi connection | Reduce devices connected to Wi-Fi or reboot Wi-Fi router |
| Incorrect TV Input | TV is set to HDMI or other input | Change the input setting to screen mirroring |
| Faulty Screen Mirroring App | Bug in the mirroring app | Install alternative screen mirroring apps from Google Play or Apple Store |
| Outdated TV Software | Old software version on the TV | Go to TV Settings > Support > Software Update and update if needed |
| Outdated iOS | Old software version on iPhone or iPad | Go to iPhone Settings > General > Software Update and update if needed |
Why Won’t My TV Show Up For Screen Mirroring?
Here are the common issues that might be causing your TV to not show up for screen mirroring as well as their easy fixes:
- TV Incompatibility
One of the major reasons why screen mirroring isn’t working on your TV is that your TV doesn’t support AirPlay or screen mirroring.
The easiest way you can check its compatibility is by reading the product manual.
Alternatively, you can go online and check Apple’s list of devices compatible with Airplay. For instance, Firestick and Roku TV are some of the devices that support screen mirroring.
- Setting Restrictions
If you’re having issues connecting your TV to your phone, the Screen Time or privacy feature on your mobile device might’ve blocked the screen mirroring. Screen Time monitors and restricts your apps, including screen-sharing features.
You can turn it off by going to your Settings and opening Screen Time. Then, scroll down and tap Turn Off Screen Time. It’s usually highlighted in red, so you wouldn’t miss it.
- Bluetooth Interference
Typically, you don’t need a Bluetooth connection to connect your phone to your TV; a stable Wi-Fi connection is the sole requirement here.
Still, Bluetooth might sometimes prevent your TV from showing up for screen mirroring.
In fact, the TV will refuse to connect to your phone if it already has an existing Bluetooth connection.
You can try turning off Bluetooth by going to the Menu and selecting System. Then, head to Wireless Connections and choose Bluetooth devices.
Lastly, disable the Bluetooth by clicking Turn Off.
- Poor Internet Connection
Another reason why your TV isn’t showing up for screen mirroring can be the quality of your Wi-Fi connection. Hence, if you have a poor internet connection, it might cause errors in screen mirroring.
To improve the network connection, you can reduce the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
You can also reboot the Wi-Fi router by unplugging it from the power source. Wait for at least five seconds before plugging it back in.
Moreover, the same issue can occur if your phone and TV aren’t connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To verify, you can click on the Home button of the TV remote. Go to your Settings and select Network in the General Menu.
- Incorrect TV Input
An incorrect TV input can also prevent your TV from showing up for screen mirroring. To check if the TV is set up with the right input, press the input button on the remote.
If your TV is set up in other resources, like HDMI, the incorrect input might be the culprit. You can change the input by setting it to screen mirroring.
- Faulty Screen Mirroring App
If you’re using a screen mirroring app, it’s worth considering that there might be a bug in the app. In this case, your TV might not even show up as an option for screen mirroring.
While most phones have a preloaded screen mirroring app, you can always install other mirroring apps from Google Play or Apple Store.
Some of the best screen mirroring apps are Castto, MirrorGo, and Google Home.
- Outdated TV Software
An outdated software in your smart TV might disrupt its screen mirroring function. Therefore, you have to verify that your device has the latest software version.
You can open Settings on your TV, head to Support, and click Software Update. If a new software update is available, click Update Now.
- Outdated iOS
If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, an outdated iOS might cause the screen mirroring connection to malfunction. To check if your iPhone’s software is up to date, you can go to your Settings, select General, then choose Software Update.
If your software isn’t outdated, a software update will be available for download. Enter your password when prompted and click Install Now.
The Wrap Up
So, why won’t my TV show up for screen mirroring?
Typically, the cause of the error is TV incompatibility, setting restrictions, Bluetooth interference, poor Wi-Fi network, or incorrect TV input.
Other issues can be a faulty screen mirroring app or outdated software on your phone or TV.
Luckily, there are a few easy fixes you can try before you call it a day, just as we pointed out in our article!
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