Fix: Laptop Won't Connect to TV via HDMI on Windows 10

Everything you need to successfully connect your TV to PC

Fix » Windows 10

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by Ivan Jenic 

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Key notes

  • Many Windows 10 users encountered that their laptops won't connect to the TV via HDMI.
  • The problem may be with the HDMI cable itself; ensure it's not damaged.
  • You can also fix this issue by updating your display driver to the latest version.
laptop wont connect to tv hdmi windows 10

Users tend to connect a TV to their PC, and while this usually works, many have reported that their Windows 10 laptop won’t connect to the TV via HDMI.

This is usually a hardware issue but could also be due to some problems with your software too. This guide will show you the easy ways to fix this effectively.

Why won’t my TV detect my laptop HDMI?

Several reasons your Windows 10 laptop cannot connect to the TV via HDMI. Below are some of them:

  • Outdated display driver: Outdated display driver could be why your HDMI works on the monitor but not with a TV. The quick way around this is to update your driver with one of the best driver updaters.
  • Wrong display output setting: You need to extend or duplicate your display to use your TV to Windows 10 via HDMI. You need to change the settings to fix this.
  • Hardware issues: Sometimes, you might get no HDMI signal on TV because the cable or ports are faulty. Sometimes, it might also be down to glitches with your PC. You need to check all the components and run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to ensure everything works well.

What can I do if Windows 10 laptop won’t connect to the TV via HDMI?

Before proceeding to the detailed fixes in this section, perform the following prerequisite checks:

  • Connect the TV to another PC
  • Clean the ports
  • Try another HDMI cable

If the following checks did not fix the issue, you could now proceed to the solutions below:

1. Reset display output

  1. Connect your PC to your TV using an HDMI cable.
  2. On your PC’s desktop window, right-click and select Display settings.
    display settings laptop wont connect to tv hdmi windows 10
  3. Select Display. This should show you the connected TV (as a second monitor).
    display
  4. If you can’t detect the TV, proceed.
  5. Press the Windows key + P and select Duplicate or Extend.
    extend

If the display output on your computer is not appropriately set, your laptop won’t connect to TV HDMI on Windows 10. The steps above should help you rectify this.

2. Update the display driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager
  2. Expand the Display adapters option and right-click on the device there.
  3. Click on Update driver.
    update laptop wont connect to tv hdmi windows 10
  4. Choose the Search automatically for drivers option and install any available update.
    search

If the Windows 10 Laptop to TV connection via HDMI shows no signal, it might be due to your display driver. Updating it would fix the error, and your PC can detect the connected TV.

Alternatively, you can update all your drivers automatically with just a couple of clicks using third-party tools.

We strongly recommend the Outbyte Driver Updater tool to update your drivers to avoid damage to your PC by manually downloading the wrong driver versions.

To keep your PC, including hardware components, safe and efficient, the latest drivers should permanently be installed, like a display driver.

This great tool was developed, so you do not have to manually download and install your drivers.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd laptop wont connect to tv hdmi windows 10
  2. Type the following command and hit Enter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnosticmsdt
  3. Once the troubleshooter displays, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If your laptop is not connecting to the TV via HDMI on Windows 10, you might need to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to diagnose the possible causes of the issue.

The good thing about this troubleshooter is that it will recommend the fixes you need to apply.

4. Install drivers in compatibility mode

  1. Navigate to the official download site of your PC manufacturer, and download the driver from there.
  2. Right-click on the driver installation file and select Properties.
    properties
  3. Locate and click the Compatibility tab and check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box.
  4. Now, choose Windows 8 from the dropdown menu.
    compatibilty laptop wont connect to tv hdmi windows 10
  5. Click Apply, followed by OK to complete the installation.
    apply
  6. Finally, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

If you have tried all the fixes above and none of them are fixed, the Windows 10 laptop won’t connect to the TV via HDMI issue; you might need to run the display driver in compatibility mode with an older version of the OS.

This has proved effective for many users, and you should try it too.

We have come to the end of this detailed guide. If you still can’t fix the laptop that won’t connect to the TV via HDMI on Windows 10 issue after applying these fixes, you might need to consider seeing an expert to check your hardware.

If you want to know how to fit the laptop screen on TV over HDMI, check our guide for the following steps.

Feel free to let us know the solutions that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

More about the topics: Smart TV, windows 10 laptops

Ivan Jenic

Ivan Jenic Shield

Windows Hardware Expert

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he's not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.