To connect a laptop to a TV with HDMI in Windows 10, plug an HDMI cable into the laptop and the TV, then press Input or Source on the TV remote and choose that HDMI port. Windows 10 usually finds the TV on its own. Press Windows + P to choose whether the TV shows the same picture (Duplicate) or works as a second screen (Extend). To go the other way and show a console or camera on the laptop’s own screen, see how to view HDMI input on a PC.
The same steps work for a desktop PC.
Applies to: Windows 10 laptops and PCs. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.
What you need
- An HDMI cable long enough to reach the TV.
- The right port on your laptop. Most laptops have a full-size HDMI port. Some have mini HDMI or micro HDMI, which need a matching cable.
- An adapter if there’s no HDMI port. A USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter works if the USB-C port supports video. Look for a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt symbol next to it. See how to use USB-C to HDMI on Windows 10.
- On a desktop, use the HDMI port on the graphics card if it has one, not the one near the USB ports.
Connect the laptop to the TV
- Turn on the TV.
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the laptop and the other into an HDMI port on the TV. Note the port number, such as HDMI 2.
- Press Input or Source on the TV remote and select that port.
- Wait a few seconds. Your laptop screen should appear on the TV.
Choose how the screen appears
Press Windows + P and pick an option:
- PC screen only: the TV turns off.
- Duplicate: the TV shows the same thing as your laptop. Good for slideshows and videos.
- Extend: the TV becomes a second screen. Drag windows across to it.
- Second screen only: the laptop screen turns off and only the TV is used.
To keep using the TV with the laptop lid closed, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose what closing the lid does, and set Plugged in to Do nothing.
If the TV doesn’t show anything
- Go to Settings > System > Display, scroll to Multiple displays, and select Detect.
- Check that the TV is on the same HDMI input the cable is plugged into.
- Try another HDMI port on the TV, or another cable.
- Restart the laptop with the cable connected.
- Update the graphics driver. See how to get HDMI working on Windows 10.
Fix the picture size and sharpness
- In Settings > System > Display, select the TV (usually display 2) at the top.
- Set Display resolution to the value marked (Recommended).
- If text is too small, raise Scale and layout, for example to 150 percent.
- If the edges are cut off, the TV is zooming the picture. In the TV’s picture settings, look for an option such as Just Scan, Screen Fit, or Full Pixel. See how to fix overscan in Windows 10.
Get sound through the TV
Select the speaker icon on the taskbar, then select the current device name above the volume slider and choose your TV. It may show the TV’s name or Digital Output. You can also go to Settings > System > Sound and pick the TV under Choose your output device.
For more help, see how to set the default audio device in Windows 10.
Connect without a cable
If your TV or streaming stick supports Miracast, press Windows + K and select the TV. See how to connect a PC to a TV wirelessly on Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my laptop screen go black when I plugged in the TV?
Second screen only is probably selected. Press Windows + P and choose Duplicate or Extend.
How do I switch back to just the laptop screen?
Unplug the cable, or press Windows + P and select PC screen only. The steps are the same on a newer laptop; see how to disable a second monitor in Windows 11.
Can I use the TV and a monitor at the same time?
Yes, if your laptop has enough video ports. See how to set up dual monitors in Windows 10.
If the picture is cut off or too big on the TV, see how to fit your PC screen to a TV or monitor in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to connect Windows 11 to a TV with HDMI. Microsoft’s guide is How to use multiple monitors in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
To show your Android phone’s screen on your PC without a cable, see how to cast an Android screen to Windows 10.
A laptop’s HDMI port usually can’t show a game console. To play an Xbox on your laptop, see how to connect an Xbox to a laptop.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.