Getting Windows 11 to cast to your TV sounds about as simple as, well, turning on the telly, but in reality, there are a few hiccups that can pop up. Maybe your TV shows up in the list, but when you go to connect, nada. Or the screen flickers, stalls, or drops out after a bit. It’s more common than you’d think. And naturally, Windows likes to make things just a little more complicated — sometimes you need to tweak a few settings, update drivers, or fiddle with your network stuff. So, if the usual steps aren’t doing the trick, here’s what might help fix it and get that screen mirroring working without a hassle.
How to Fix Windows 11 Casting to Your TV When It Just Won’t Connect
Method 1: Make sure your PC and TV are set up for Miracast properly
This one’s pretty straightforward, but worth a look. Miracast support is a must. Not every laptop or desktop supports it straight out of the box, especially if your Wi-Fi card or graphics driver is a bit out of date or not compatible. First up, check if your PC supports Miracast:
- Open the Run dialog (Windows + R) and type
dxdiag. Hit Enter. - In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, click Save All Information, save the text file, and search for “Miracast.” It should say “Available” or “Supported.”
If it says “Not Supported” or something similar, your hardware might be the limiting factor. If supported, sweet — but if not, you might need a different Wi-Fi card or just go with a Chromecast or HDMI cable instead. Because of course, Windows has to make this harder than it needs to be.
Method 2: Update your Wi-Fi and graphics drivers
This step can clear up a lot of strange connectivity gremlins. Outdated drivers are often the culprit. So, check your device manager:
- Right-click the Start button and pick Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters and your Display adapters.
- Right-click each device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds an update, install it.
Or, you can head straight to the manufacturer’s website — especially for your Wi-Fi card and GPU. Sometimes updating drivers is a bit of a chore, but it’s often worth it.
Method 3: Enable the Wireless Display feature in Windows features
This one’s sneaky — it’s often turned off without you noticing. Windows needs this enabled to do casting right. To turn it on:
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
- Scroll down and click Add a feature.
- Look for Wireless Display — select it and hit Install.
Once installed, reboot your PC to make sure everything kicks in properly. Sometimes, just this step can do the trick, especially if it was never enabled or got turned off.
Method 4: Check your network settings and firewall
This is a bit odd, but Windows needs certain network protocols to be open to cast. Sometimes your firewall, VPN, or network profile settings block the communication. To check:
- Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on your active Wi-Fi network, then Properties.
- Make sure Network Profile is set to Private — this lets devices talk to each other.
- If you’re comfortable, double-check your firewall settings in Windows Security or any third-party security software to ensure Miracast or Wireless Display isn’t blocked.
If things are still wonky, try resetting your network stack:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdnsRun these in PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator. A quick reboot afterwards helps changes take effect. If it still doesn’t work, maybe try setting up a dedicated, unfiltered network just for testing.
Method 5: Reset your display and network adapters
This is a bit of a sledgehammer approach. Sometimes, resetting device settings clears out conflicts. In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi and display adapters and choose Disable device, wait a tick, then Enable them again. Or use the Windows Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > run Network Adapter and Hardware and Devices.
Method 6: Use the Project menu with compatible settings
Once everything’s up to date, give the Project menu a go:
- Press Windows + P to bring up the Project sidebar.
- Click Connect to a wireless display.
- Wait for your TV to show up, then select it.
If that doesn’t work, check your display mode (like Duplicate or Extend) in the display settings — sometimes switching it up resets things. It’s weird, but worth a shot.
Other handy tips
- Update your TV’s firmware — some smart TVs run better after a firmware update.
- Make sure your TV isn’t busy with other wireless stuff that could cause interference.
- If all else fails, plugging in with HDMI is often easier and less frustrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my TV sometimes appear then disappear from the list?
Usually, it’s because your device loses the connection or the TV’s signal refreshes. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi, and try rebooting both — often that does the trick.
Can I cast from my phone or tablet to my Windows 11 PC instead?
Yes, but the steps differ a bit. For casting from a mobile, your phone or tablet needs to support Miracast or similar tech. The PC also has to support it. Apps like Your Phone or built-in Cast features work better for mobile to PC casting.
Why’s the cast laggy or stuttering?
Probably Wi-Fi congestion or interference. Keep your Wi-Fi signal strong and close, avoid heavy network traffic, or consider wired options for smoother streaming. Using a dedicated 5GHz network can help, too.
Summary
- Check if your PC supports Miracast and update your drivers.
- Enable Wireless Display in Windows features.
- Make sure both devices are on a private network and aren’t blocked by firewalls.
- Reset network and display adapters if things get whacky.
- Use the Windows + P menu to manually connect.
All done and dusted
Honestly, casting can be a bit fiddly, especially if your hardware’s a bit old or drivers need an update. Sometimes just updating everything or toggling a few settings will do the trick. Once it’s sorted, your TV can turn into a big, lazy monitor for movies, games, or even work stuff. Hope this helps — nothing’s more annoying than trying to get it working and hitting a brick wall.