How to Connect Your Chromebook to Your TV

The simplest way to connect your Chromebook to a TV

You can connect your Chromebook to a TV in three ways: with a cable, through a wireless connection, or by casting your screen. The method that works depends on what ports your Chromebook has and what your TV supports. Most Chromebooks made in the last five years can cast wirelessly to any TV with built-in Chromecast or a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port — this is the fastest route if your TV has it.

If your Chromebook has an HDMI port or USB-C port, you can plug directly into your TV with a cable. This method works on any TV and requires no setup, but you lose the ability to move around the room. Casting is wireless and lets you keep using your Chromebook while the screen shows on the TV, but it requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Before you start, check what ports are on the side or back of your Chromebook — look for a small rectangular HDMI slot or a small oval USB-C port. Then check your TV's input ports on the back or side. Knowing what you have takes 30 seconds and tells you which method will work.

Key Takeaways

Most Chromebooks can cast wirelessly to any TV with Chromecast built in or a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port.
If your Chromebook has an HDMI or USB-C port, you can plug directly into the TV with a cable for a wired connection that works on any TV.
Casting requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network but lets you keep using your Chromebook while the screen displays on the TV.
A wired connection is when ready and needs no setup, but you cannot move the Chromebook far from the TV.

Casting your Chromebook screen wirelessly

Casting is the easiest method if your TV has Chromecast. Open any tab or window on your Chromebook, then press Ctrl + Alt + S on the keyboard. A menu will appear on the right side of your screen with the heading "Cast". Click the dropdown that says "Cast to" and you will see a list of devices on your Wi-Fi network.

Look for your TV's name in that list — it will say something like "Living Room TV" or "Samsung TV" depending on what you named it. Click it once. Your Chromebook screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. The TV will show everything on your Chromebook: open tabs, videos, documents, and your cursor as you move the mouse.

If you do not see your TV in the list, make sure both your Chromebook and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Restart the Cast menu and look again. If your TV does not have Chromecast built in, you can buy a Chromecast device for around $30 to $50 and plug it into any HDMI port on your TV — it will then appear in the Cast menu just like a built-in Chromecast.

To stop casting, press Ctrl + Alt + S again, find your TV's name in the Cast menu, and click it. The screen will return to your Chromebook only.

Connecting with an HDMI cable

If your Chromebook has an HDMI port, you can plug directly into your TV with an HDMI cable. Look at the sides of your Chromebook for a small rectangular slot about the size of a postage stamp. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into that port and the other end into an HDMI port on your TV — most TVs have at least two HDMI ports on the back.

Turn on your TV and use the remote to switch to the HDMI input where you plugged the cable. You will see your Chromebook screen on the TV when ready. The connection is when ready and does not depend on Wi-Fi. Your Chromebook will treat the TV as a second monitor, so you can drag windows between the two screens or use the TV as a mirror of what is on your Chromebook.

The downside is that you are tethered to the TV by the cable — you cannot move more than the cable's length away. Most HDMI cables are 6 to 10 feet long. If you need to move around the room, casting is a better choice.

Connecting with a USB-C cable and adapter

Many newer Chromebooks do not have an HDMI port but do have a USB-C port — a small oval slot on the side. You can connect to a TV through USB-C, but you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (sometimes called a USB-C to HDMI converter). These cost $15 to $30 and are available at most electronics stores or online.

Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into your Chromebook and the HDMI cable into the other end of the adapter. Then plug the HDMI cable into your TV. Turn on your TV, switch to the correct HDMI input, and your Chromebook screen will appear. The setup is the same as a direct HDMI connection — your TV becomes a second monitor and you can mirror or extend your display.

USB-C adapters are small and portable, so this method works well if you move between different TVs or rooms. Keep the adapter in a drawer or bag so you have it when you need it.

What to do if your Chromebook does not appear on the TV

If you are using a cable and the TV shows no signal, first check that you plugged the cable all the way in — push it firmly until you hear or feel a click. Then make sure your TV is set to the correct HDMI input. Use your TV remote to cycle through the inputs (usually a button labeled "Input" or "Source") until you see your Chromebook screen.

If you are casting and your TV does not appear in the Cast menu, restart your Chromebook and your TV. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network — check your Chromebook's Wi-Fi settings by clicking the time in the bottom right corner and looking at the network name. Your TV's Wi-Fi settings are usually in the TV's main menu under "Network" or "Wi-Fi". Once both devices are on the same network, open the Cast menu again and look for your TV.

If your TV still does not appear and it does not have Chromecast built in, you may need a Chromecast device. Check your TV's manual or the back of the TV to see if Chromecast is built in — if not, a Chromecast device plugged into any HDMI port will solve the problem.

Using your TV as a second monitor or mirror

When your Chromebook is connected to a TV, you have two choices for how the screens work together. Mirror mode shows the exact same thing on both your Chromebook screen and the TV — useful if you are presenting to others or want a bigger view of what you are doing. Extended mode treats the TV as a separate monitor, so you can drag windows to the TV and use the extra space.

For a wired connection, right-click on your Chromebook's desktop and look for a "Display settings" or "Displays" option. You will see a menu where you can choose mirror or extend. For casting, your Chromebook is always in mirror mode — the TV shows exactly what is on your Chromebook screen.

Extended mode is useful if you want to watch a video on the TV while working on your Chromebook, or if you want to move a browser window to the TV to free up space on your laptop. Experiment with both modes to see which works better for what you are doing.

Troubleshooting audio and video problems

If your TV shows the picture but has no sound, check that your Chromebook's volume is turned up. Click the time in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen and look for a volume slider — drag it to the right. If the volume is already high, check your TV's volume using the TV remote.

If the picture is blurry or pixelated, try unplugging the cable and plugging it back in firmly. For casting, move your Chromebook closer to your Wi-Fi router — a weak signal can cause the picture to drop or stutter. If the problem continues, restart both devices.

If your TV shows a "no signal" message on a wired connection, the cable may be loose or damaged. Try a different HDMI cable if you have one. If you are casting and the connection keeps dropping, your Wi-Fi signal may be too weak — move the router closer to the TV or Chromebook, or restart both devices and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Chromebook and TV at the same time?

Yes. When casting, your Chromebook stays fully usable — you can type, click, and open new tabs while the screen shows on the TV. With a wired connection, the TV mirrors or extends your display, so you can drag windows between the two screens and work on either one.

Do I need Wi-Fi to connect my Chromebook to a TV?

Only for casting. A wired HDMI or USB-C connection works without Wi-Fi. Casting requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, but once they are connected, the casting itself does not use much bandwidth.

What if my TV does not have HDMI ports?

Older TVs with only composite (red, white, yellow) ports cannot connect to a Chromebook directly. Your only option is to buy a Chromecast device and plug it into the TV's power outlet — Chromecast does not need an HDMI port, just power and Wi-Fi.

Can I charge my Chromebook while it is connected to the TV?

Yes with casting — your Chromebook is free to move around and plug in anywhere. With a wired HDMI connection, you can plug your Chromebook into power at the same time, but you will be limited by the cable length. USB-C connections sometimes carry power, so check your adapter's manual.

Is casting slower than a wired connection?

Casting is slightly slower because the signal travels over Wi-Fi, but the delay is usually less than a second and not noticeable for watching videos or browsing. A wired connection is when ready with no delay.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.