If you are on a Windows 10 computer, you can probably use Miracast technology built in to Windows to cast or display your computer monitor’s output to a TV, FireTV, or Roku device. Your computer’s hardware must support Miracast in order to for this to work. To determine if you can utilize Miracast on your computer, here’s a few tests:
- Try to cast: Make sure the computer’s wifi is on, then press Windows Key + P combination. You will see “Connect to a wireless Display” in blue. If there devices on your network that can be casted to, you will see them.
- Checking your Display Settings: Start menu (Windows key) -> Settings (Gear icon) -> System -> Select Display on the left. Look under the Multiple Displays section for “Connect to a wireless display”.
- Check DxDiag: DxDiag is a utility to get very precise information about your system and it’s capabilities. This gives a definitive answer when it comes to Miracast support on your system. Right-click on the Start menu -> Run-> Type dxdiag in the Open field. Press OK button. Click Save All Information button. Save to desktop. Open file and look for Miracast. The capability will be next to that word.
More detailed instructions can be found here: https://www.support.com/how-to/how-to-check-if-my-windows-10-pc-supports-miracast-12548
Troubleshooting:
- Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts for a successful connection.
- Some receiving devices, like the FireTV and Roku, have a process for allowing the ability to receive a cast. On the FireTV, long press the Home button until a menu appears on the TV, then click Mirroring option, then initiate the cast from the computer. The Roku in its settings has options for what to do when it receives an attempt to cast.
- VPN (virtual private network) software can interfere with the ability for a cast to be made successfully, even when there is no connection to the vpn. For NordVPN, settings -> Advanced -> Invisibility on LAN must be turned off. Perhaps other settings too.
- Firewalls may interfere by blocking ports. https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/1119259-firewall-setting-configuration-for-intel-widi-miracast-in-officescan
- If your computer does not support Miracast, other options exist such as casting from the Chrome web browser to a Chromecast dongle device that is connected via HDMI to a TV or monitor.
- Miracast works via Wif-Direct, so you must be within a fairly near range of the device (< 30 ft) in which you need to cast.
Many mobile phones can cast via Miracast to TVs and other Windows computers. On the Samsung Galaxy S7, swipe down on the Notification pane, and to the various functionality icons, and swipe left, to get to the next set of icons, and click Smart View and select the device to which you want to cast.
To cast to a Windows PC, that receiving PC must have the appropriate setting selected in the Projecting to this PC in Settings. When projecting to a PC, the entire PC is taken over. To regain control over the PC, you must disconnect the Miracast session from the mobile phone. Here’s a great video on this topic and troubleshooting if the options are greyed out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Pr8N3KVT0
