How to Connect a Laptop to a Samsung Smart TV? (4 Methods)

Sales of desktop PCs are dwindling, but sales of laptops and tablets keep increasing. More people are buying laptops due to their portability and ease of use. In addition, laptops’ performance and capacity are almost as great as desktops’, which used to have significant gaps in the past. Moreover, mobility is the key in today’s computing world, whether at work, study, or entertainment. 

That said, laptops do have limitations, especially when you need a bigger screen. Luckily, we’ve seen better device connectivity lately, and setting up their connections, wired or wireless, has never been easier. If you’re wondering how to cast a laptop on your Samsung TV, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you with step-by-step instructions to accomplish your connection in several methods.

How to Connect a Laptop to a Samsung Smart TV


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Using a wired connection (via HDMI cable) is, by far, the easiest, quickest, and most reliable way of connecting your laptop to a Samsung TV.

Besides the HDMI connection, there are several ways to connect your laptop to a Samsung TV wirelessly. 

If you’re using a Windows 10/11 machine, you can use the Connect button in your Action Center to cast your laptop’s screen to your Samsung TV. This may not work on all Samsung TVs, but it’s worth trying.

If using the Connect button in the Action Center doesn’t work, you could try using Chromecast. However, since most Samsung TVs don’t have Chromecast built-in, you will have to buy a separate Chromecast device.

If you are a macOS/iOS user, you will be happy to know that most new Samsung TVs support Apple AirPlay (or AirPlay2). So, if you have a MacBook or iPhone, you can use AirPlay to cast your screen to your Samsung TV.


Connecting Via the Connect Button

Welcome to the easiest and fastest way to cast your laptop running on Windows to your Samsung TV. Follow these few steps after you have connected both your laptop and TV to the same Wi-Fi router:

  • You will see many controls in boxes. Select the box that says Connect.

Connect

  • Your laptop will search for wireless displays and audio devices. If your Samsung TV is nearby, it will appear in the list. Select your TV.
  • This message will appear – “Follow any instructions on your device.”
  • You will see your TV monitor asking for permission to link your laptop. Grab your TV remote and select Allow to proceed.
  • Your laptop screen will appear on your Samsung TV.

How to Link Laptop to TV Using the Connect Button in the Action Center

Connecting Via Chromecast

You’re going to need a plug-in Chromecast device to use this method. Surprisingly, Samsung TVs don’t have Chromecast built-in. They have AirPlay and SmartThings, but not Chromecast. 

Google Chromecast Streaming Devices

Chromecast 3rd Gen

Chromecast 3rd Gen

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Chromecast with Google TV

Chromecast with Google TV

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The Chromecast will cast your laptop content to your TV. It’s a relatively straightforward process, but there are a few steps along the way. Here’s how to do it:

  • Hook up the Chromecast device to your TV via HDMI. Plug it into the correct HDMI port at the back or side panel of your Samsung TV. Then, power up the Chromecast device through the wall plug.
  • Now, set up Chromecast on your TV through your smartphone via the Google Home app. Ensure that you have linked your devices to a common wireless network. Otherwise, it will not work since your devices cannot communicate with each other.
  • Once Google Chromecast is ready on your TV, it’s time to set up your laptop.
  • Open Google Chrome on your laptop since Chromecast only work with the Google Chrome web browser.
  • Bring the cursor to the right of the top toolbar, and click on the three vertical dots.
  • From the drop-down menu, select Cast.
  • A list of options to cast your laptop will appear. Find and select your Samsung TV name.
  • Before casting it to the TV, you can choose one of the three source options – Cast tab, Cast desktop, or Cast file.

Connecting Your Computer to TV via Chromecast

Connecting Mac to Samsung TV

It’s super easy to connect your Mac to your Samsung smart TV, especially if your TV has AirPlay capabilities (most Samsung TV models from 2018 onwards have built-in AirPlay). Follow these procedures to AirPlay your Mac to the TV:

  • Hit the home button on your Samsung TV remote.
  • Move all the way to the bottom, then all the way to the left, and press the gear-like Settings icon.
  • On the following menu, select General.
  • On the General menu, you should see the Apple AirPlay Settings. Select it and press OK.

Apple AirPlay Settings

  • Ensure the AirPlay toggle is ON.
  • On the Require Code option, select one time only so that you don’t have to enter the code every time you want to activate AirPlay.
  • Jump over to your Mac and press the AirPlay logo at the center of the top panel.
  • Select your TV name, which should appear in the list of AirPlay devices nearby. 
  • Voila! Your Mac’s screen now appears on your large Samsung TV. You can do anything on your Mac and comfortably access its monitor on your large Samsung TV. 

How to AirPlay Mac on a Samsung TV Screen

Wired Connection

If you’re not comfortable connecting your laptop to your TV wirelessly, you may want to pair them using a wired HDMI connection. You don’t have to buy another device, though, just an HDMI cable. It’s probably the easiest of all the connection methods; basically, you just need to hook up the HDMI cable. Here are the detailed steps:

Best HDMI Cables for Samsung TVs

iBirdie Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable

iBirdie Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable

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KabelDirekt UHS HDMI Cable

KabelDirekt UHS HDMI Cable

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  • Buy a decent HDMI cable (we recommend getting an HDMI 2 cable that has increased bandwidth capacity).
  • Power up both devices (laptop and TV).
  • Plug in one end of the HDMI 2 cable to the HDMI port at the back of your Samsung TV. The port may also sit at the side of the TV.
  • Take the other end and connect it to your laptop’s HDMI port.
  • Next, grab your TV remote and select the TV input as HDMI. 
  • The next thing you know, your laptop output is now displayed on the TV.

How to Connect Laptop to TV via HDMI Cable

Setup and Troubleshooting Tips

  • Your laptop display resolution may not be the same as your TV’s display resolution. If they don’t match, you may get a blurred display. Make sure you have a laptop that can display output matching the one that your TV has.
  • While streaming TV or videos from your laptop to TV is extremely easy, you may forget to turn on the sound. Go to the settings to confirm the sound toggle is on.
  • You should also check the display on your TV. Sometimes you don’t get a perfect screen due to the wrong zoom settings. In addition, set your TV to gaming mode to reduce input lag when you’re gaming.
  • It’s also a good idea to adjust the sharpness settings so that you can see clearer pictures.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: HDMI cords could be the best way to connect the laptop to Samsung TV, but what’s the best way to connect without HDMI?

Answer: There are several ways to connect a laptop to a TV without HDMI. You could use AirPlay on Mac and iOS devices to connect them to AirPlay-enabled Samsung TVs. For non-Apple laptops, Chromecast is a splendid choice. However, we recommend using a more direct method – using the Connect button inside the Action Center. All you need to do is click the Connect button and select your TV that appears in the list of adjacent devices, and your laptop screen is on the TV. 

Question: How do you connect your computer to the TV using an HDMI cable?

Answer: If you find your Wi-Fi network too vulnerable, easily disrupted, or too weak/slow, a wired HDMI connection is your answer. It’s more reliable, and setting up is as easy as ABC. Follow these two effortless steps:

  • Link your laptop and TV by plugging the connectors into the HDMI ports of the devices.
  • Once you select the right HDMI input on your TV, you should see your laptop screen on the large TV screen.

Question: I’ve tried to connect my laptop to my Tv a few times, but it won’t work. What should I do?

Answer: Just like setting up many other electronic devices, the first thing that comes to your mind is to restart or reboot them. In setting up a laptop/TV connection, it’s best that you restart/reboot your laptop, TV, and a third device – your router/modem (since the Wi-Fi comes from the same router/modem). Switch on all three devices and see if it works. Another good practice is to check and update the devices’ software/firmware to the latest versions. 

Question: What are the alternative cables to HDMI to connect a laptop to a TV?

Answer: There are many – here are some alternatives:

  • VGA – while it’s an old analog connection type and, thus, lower quality, it can still do the job if you don’t have any other alternatives. 
  • DisplayPort – it’s pretty similar to the HDMI, but you will not find a port on your TV to plug in the connector. Therefore, you will need to find an adapter to help connect both devices. 
  • USB-C – this connection is useful if you cannot find any other port on your laptop.
  • DVI – it may be mostly outdated currently, and it can only cast a display, but not the sound. 

Conclusion

With that, you’ve grasped how to connect a laptop to a Samsung smart TV either by wire or wirelessly. In addition, we have also added some connection setup tips for the best results. We hope this post provided you with all the necessary information.

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