The simplest connection method for your setup

The cable you need depends on what ports your computer and television both have. Most modern televisions accept HDMI, which carries both picture and sound in one cable — this is almost always the easiest choice. If your computer has an HDMI port and your television has an HDMI port, buy an HDMI cable, plug one end into each device, and switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote. That is the complete process for most people.

If your computer or television is older, you may have different ports. Older computers sometimes have VGA (a blue port with three rows of small holes) or DisplayPort (a rectangular port slightly smaller than HDMI). Older televisions sometimes have only composite video (three colored ports: red, white, and yellow) or component video (three ports in shades of blue, green, and red). The port on your computer must match the port on your television, or you need an adapter that converts between them.

Wireless connection is also possible if both devices support it — some computers and televisions have built-in Miracast, AirPlay, or Chromecast. Wireless is convenient but slightly slower and sometimes less stable than a cable. Start with a cable connection if you are setting up for the first time, because it eliminates one variable if something does not work.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI is the standard connection for modern computers and televisions, and one HDMI cable handles both picture and sound.
  • You must match the ports on your computer to the ports on your television — if they do not match, you need an adapter.
  • After plugging in the cable, switch your television to the correct HDMI input using the remote control.
  • If your computer screen does not appear on the television, check that the cable is fully seated in both ports and that you selected the right input on the TV.

Finding the right ports on your computer

Look at the back or sides of your computer tower, laptop, or monitor for the output port. Desktop computers usually have ports on the back of the tower or on a separate graphics card. Laptops have ports on the sides. The port you are looking for is one of these: HDMI (a flat rectangular port, about the size of a USB port but wider), DisplayPort (similar to HDMI but slightly smaller and more rectangular), VGA (a blue port with three rows of small holes and two metal screws on the sides), or USB-C (a small oval port that may also charge your laptop).

If your computer has more than one video port, any of them will work — you only need to use one. Some computers have both HDMI and DisplayPort; pick whichever one matches your television. If your computer has only USB-C, you can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which is inexpensive and widely available.

Laptops sometimes have a port labeled Thunderbolt, which looks identical to USB-C. Thunderbolt ports work with USB-C adapters and cables, so treat them the same way.

Finding the right ports on your television

Look at the back of your television for the input ports. Most televisions made in the last ten years have at least one HDMI port, usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on. Write down which HDMI port you plan to use — you will need to select it on the remote after you plug in the cable.

If your television is older and has no HDMI ports, look for component video (three ports in shades of blue, green, and red) or composite video (three ports in red, white, and yellow). These older standards require separate cables for picture and sound, which makes them less convenient but still functional.

Some televisions also have a VGA port, which looks like the blue port on older computer monitors. VGA carries picture only, not sound, so you would need a separate audio cable if you use it.

Connecting with HDMI

Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your computer and the other end into an HDMI port on your television. Push firmly until you hear or feel a small click — HDMI connectors are tight by design. Do not force it; if it does not slide in smoothly, you may have the cable upside down or slightly misaligned.

Pick up the television remote and press the Input or Source button. A menu will appear showing all the inputs your television has — HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and so on. Select the HDMI port where you plugged in the cable. The television screen should now show your computer's desktop or login screen.

If nothing appears, turn off the computer completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Some computers do not detect the television until after a restart. If the screen still does not appear after the restart, unplug the HDMI cable from both ends, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly.

Connecting with DisplayPort or USB-C

DisplayPort and USB-C connections work the same way as HDMI: plug the cable into the computer port, plug the other end into an adapter or directly into the television (if it has a DisplayPort or USB-C input), and select the correct input on the television remote.

If your television does not have a DisplayPort or USB-C port, you need an adapter. A DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or USB-C to HDMI adapter converts the signal so you can plug into an HDMI port on the television. These adapters are inexpensive — usually between five and fifteen dollars — and work reliably. Plug the adapter into your computer, then plug an HDMI cable from the adapter into the television.

Some USB-C adapters also charge your laptop at the same time, which is useful if your laptop battery is low. Check the product description before buying to see if it supports charging.

Connecting with older video standards

If your computer has VGA and your television has VGA, use a VGA cable. VGA carries picture only, so you also need an audio cable — usually a 3.5 mm cable (the same size as headphone jacks) from your computer's audio output to the television's audio input. Plug both cables in, select VGA input on the television remote, and adjust the volume on the television.

If your computer has composite or component video output and your television has matching ports, use the appropriate cable. Composite uses three cables (red, white, and yellow); component uses three cables (blue, green, and red). Match the colors on the cable to the colors on the ports. Select the correct input on the television remote.

These older standards are less common on modern computers, so you may need an adapter. A VGA to HDMI adapter or composite to HDMI adapter allows you to connect older computers to newer televisions. The adapter converts the older signal to HDMI, which the television understands.

Adjusting display settings on your computer

Once your television shows your computer's screen, you may want to adjust how the image looks. On Windows, right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings. On Mac, open System Preferences and select Displays. You will see options to change the resolution (how sharp the image is), the refresh rate (how smooth motion appears), and whether the television is your main display or an extended display.

If the image looks blurry or the text is hard to read, try lowering the resolution. If the image looks stretched or does not fill the whole screen, look for an option called Overscan or Aspect Ratio in your television's settings menu (accessed through the television remote, not the computer). Some televisions cut off the edges of the image by default.

If you want to use the television as your only display and put your laptop to sleep when you close it, go to Power Settings on your computer and change the lid-close behavior. This prevents your laptop from waking up unexpectedly when the television is on.

Troubleshooting when the television shows no picture

If you plugged in the cable and selected the correct input but the television still shows no picture, work through these steps in order. First, make sure the cable is fully seated — unplug it from both ends, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Second, try a different HDMI port on the television if it has more than one. Third, restart your computer completely.

If the television still shows no picture after a restart, the cable may be damaged. Try a different HDMI cable if you have one available. If a different cable works, the original cable is faulty and should be replaced. If no cable works, the port on your computer or television may be damaged, and you may need a different connection method or professional repair.

If the television shows a picture but it looks wrong — stretched, cut off at the edges, or in the wrong colors — the problem is usually in the television's settings, not the cable. Check your television's picture settings and look for options like Aspect Ratio, Overscan, or Picture Mode. Consult your television's manual for the exact menu path, as it varies by brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any HDMI cable, or do I need a special one?

Any standard HDMI cable works. Expensive cables marketed as "high-speed" or "premium" are not necessary for most setups. A basic HDMI cable costs a few dollars and performs identically to a fifty-dollar cable for home use.

What if my computer has no video ports at all?

Some very thin laptops have only USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. You can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which converts the signal and costs between ten and thirty dollars. Plug the adapter into your laptop, then plug an HDMI cable from the adapter into the television.

Can I connect wirelessly without a cable?

Yes, if both your computer and television support Miracast, AirPlay, or Chromecast. Wireless connection is convenient but slightly slower and sometimes less stable than a cable. For a first-time setup or if you plan to use the television frequently, a cable connection is more reliable.

Why does my television show a picture but the sound is not working?

HDMI carries both picture and sound, so if you used an HDMI cable, check your television's volume and input settings. If you used VGA or an older connection, you need a separate audio cable from your computer to the television. Some computers also require you to select the television as the audio output in the sound settings.

Can I use my television as a monitor all the time?

Yes, but televisions are not ideal for this. They are usually farther away than a monitor, so text can be hard to read. They also use more power and generate more heat than a monitor. For occasional use, a television works fine; for daily work, a dedicated monitor is more comfortable.