How to connect a laptop to a TV using VGA
Another straightforward way to connect your laptop to your TV is by using the VGA port on both devices. This is likely to only be an option for those of you with a laptop that is over 4/5 years old.
VGA is a video lead only, so you will have to accompany this with a 3.5mm audio lead, that you need to connect from the headphone out socket of your laptop to your audio in port of your TV or external speakers.
Using a VGA means Windows should automatically configure the settings like it would if you were using a HDMI cable. However, if you're experiencing difficulties go to Control Panel > Display > Adjust Resolutions and follow the directions above.
1. Turn your laptop and TV on.2. Connect your VGA cable to both your TV and Laptop (any order).
3. Now do the same with your 3.5mm audio jack – use the headphone out port on the laptop and audio in on your TV or speakers.
4. Go to Control Panel > Display > Adjust Resolution and ensure that TV is selected in Display drop down box.
How to connect a laptop to TV using HDMI
Connecting a laptop to a TV via a HDMI cable is the best and easiest way, as cables are cheap and provide the best quality HD picture and sound. It only requires one lead too, as HDMI handles both video and audio.
To connect a laptop to a TV using a HDMI cable, all you need to do is plug the cable into your laptop and then one of your HDMI ports on your TV. If you're using an up-to-date version of Windows, all that you should need to do is ensure your laptop is switched on, and your TV is set to the correct HDMI channel, the laptop should automatically configure to give you the best settings from here. (See also How to speed up a slow PC)
If for some reason it does not automatically select the right setting, you simply need to go to Control Panel > Display > Adjust Resolution - from here you will see two drop down boxes. The first thing you will need to do is toggle the Display drop down to ensure that your TV is selected, next you need to ensure that the Resolution drop down box matches the settings that are correct for your TV.
1. Turn your laptop and TV on.
2. Connect your HDMI lead to both your TV and laptop (any order).
3. Select the correct HDMI input on your TV (usually by pressing the AV button).
4. If your laptop does not automatically output its screen to the TV, go to Control Panel > Display > Adjust Resolution and select the TV in the Display drop down box.
2. Connect your HDMI lead to both your TV and laptop (any order).
3. Select the correct HDMI input on your TV (usually by pressing the AV button).
4. If your laptop does not automatically output its screen to the TV, go to Control Panel > Display > Adjust Resolution and select the TV in the Display drop down box.
How to connect a laptop to a TV using USB
Strictly speaking, a USB to USB connection from a laptop to a TV shouldn't work. However, there are several companies that have developed adapters that will convert your USB port to a HDMI out. The only catch here is that you need additional software for your laptop to turn the USB port into a Video out port, so we strongly suggest you check the USB to HDMI adapter you want is compatible with your laptop before you buy.
If the adapter is compatible, then setting up this method is largely straightforward. First of all you need to install the adapter's software/driver, then it's simply a case of running the software and connecting your laptop to your TV.
