This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your computer to a television using an HDMI cable. Connecting it to the television will allow you to display your computer screen on your television so that you can watch movies or surf the Internet from the big screen. All you need to connect the two devices is an HDMI cable.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Connect the computer to the television
Step 1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the computer
The HDMI slot is generally on the back of the CPU if you have a desktop computer, or on the side of the keyboard on a laptop.
- Some computers will likely use a regular HDMI port, while others will use an HDMI mini or MiniDisplay port.
- For HDMI mini and MiniDisplay cables, one end of the cable should be an HDMI mini or MiniDisplay cable that you can connect to your computer, and the other end should be a full-size HDMI cable.
- Not all computers have an HDMI port. Some older computers may use a VGA or DVI cable. You can connect them to the HDMI port of a television using an adapter and a separate audio cable. If you're using a laptop that doesn't have an HDMI port or other video-out port, you can purchase a USB-to-HDMI adapter. You may need to install additional software on your computer.
Step 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the television
Find a free HDMI port on your television and plug the other end of the cable into it. The ports are generally numbered and labeled "HDMI."
- Make a note of the HDMI port you connect to.
- Make sure you buy an HDMI cable that is the length you need to connect from your computer to your television. Measure the distance if necessary.
Step 3. Use the television remote control to select the HDMI source of the television
Look for a button on the TV or remote that says "Source" or "Input" or something similar. Use this button to select the HDMI port you connected your computer to.
- After connecting the computer and the television, sometimes the television will automatically show what is on your computer monitor. If it's blank, use Method 2 to detect TV in Windows 10.
- Use the HDMI port number labels to help you find which HDMI source your computer is connected to.
Part 2 of 2: Detect TV in Windows
Step 1. Click on the "Start" menu
on your computer.
This is usually in the lower left corner of the screen. It has an icon with the Windows logo. This will display the "Start" menu.
Step 2. Click the Settings icon
It's the icon that looks like a gear. It's on the left side of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click System
It is the first option in the "Windows Settings" menu. It's next to an icon that looks like a laptop.
Step 4. Click Display
It's the first option on the left sidebar menu. This will display the "Display" settings.
Step 5. Scroll down and click Detect
It's at the bottom of the display settings menu. Windows will detect any connected display.
- Adjust the resolution as needed to make it look good on your television. If you have an HDTV (high definition television), select 1920 x 1080 in the "Resolution" drop-down menu. If you have a 4K television, select up to 3840 x 2160 or the highest resolution possible in the "Resolution" drop-down menu.