How to stream your PC screen to your TV using VLC on Windows 11

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If you've just gotten a new Smart TV or connected a Chromecast to your TV and are struggling to Send your PC videos to your TV with VLC on Windows 11You're not alone. Many users encounter "format not supported" messages when using a USB drive, problems getting VLC to detect the TV, or confusing instructions that don't work.

The good news is that Windows 11 and VLC offer several ways to mirror your screen, send only the video, or stream a specific file to your TV, whether you're using Chromecast, a Miracast-compatible Smart TV, a Roku, an Amazon Fire TV, or even another Windows PC as a wireless display. We'll walk you through it step by step, with tips to avoid interruptions and solutions to common errors.

What you need to stream VLC from PC to TV on Windows 11

Before we get into the steps, it's important to be clear about what's needed for that VLC can send video from Windows 11 to the TV without going crazy with network errors or devices that don't appear among them.

First of all, you need a VLC player updatedChromecast casting and other advanced network features officially arrived and stabilized starting with version 3.0, so if you haven't updated in a while, go to Help > Check for updates open VLC and install the latest available version.

Secondly, the PC and the device you are going to stream to (Smart TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, another PC, etc.) must be connected to the same local networkIt's no good having the desktop computer on a wired guest network and the TV on a different Wi-Fi network; if they don't share a network, they simply can't see each other.

The quality of the connection is also important: for large or high-definition files, ideally the PC should be at Ethernet and the TV or Chromecast connected to a Wi-Fi network of 5 GHzIf you only have 2,4 GHz, it will work, but you are more likely to experience stuttering, especially with 4K or very heavy videos.

Finally, check that the TV or streaming device you're using has the updated firmwareIn the case of Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and recent Smart TVs, updates usually install automatically, but it never hurts to force them from the device's settings menu.

Chromecast: the most direct way to send VLC from your PC to your TV

Chromecast (whether the classic model or the more modern one with Google TV) is one of the most convenient devices for Play videos from your PC on your TV Using VLC. Chromecast connects to the TV's HDMI port, is powered by USB, and receives the signal you send from your computer or mobile device.

One of its great advantages is that, combined with VLC, it allows you to Take advantage of your entire collection of movies, series and music stored on disc without having to copy anything to a USB drive. If you have a Chromecast Ultra or a compatible model, you can even send 4K and HDR10 content, provided your network and equipment are up to the task.

Essentially, VLC reads the file (AVI, MP4, MKV, FLAC, etc.) and Chromecast receives it and displays it on the screen, so that The PC acts as a content source and remote controlLet's see how it's done from Windows 11.

How to stream VLC from Windows 11 to a Chromecast

With everything connected on the same network, the process for send a VLC video to your Chromecast It's quite simple since Windows 11:

First, open VLC on your computer and load the file you want to play, either by dragging it into the VLC window or from the menu Medium > Open FileYou can pause the video if you want to set up the transmission at your leisure.

Then, in the top bar of VLC, enter Playback > Renderer (or Processor / Renderer, depending on your translation)Wait a few seconds for VLC to scan the network and your Chromecast should appear in the list of available devices.

In the device list, select the name of your Chromecast or TV with integrated ChromecastIf it doesn't work the first time, use the "Search" or "Scan" option offered by VLC and check that the PC and the Chromecast are actually on the same Wi-Fi or LAN network.

As soon as VLC connects to the Chromecast, the video will start playing on the TV. On the PC, you'll see that playback is controlled from VLC, but the main image only appears on the TV; from the computer you'll be able to pause, fast forward, rewind or change fileeven if you don't see the video in full size on the computer screen.

If at any point you want to go back to watching the content on your PC and stop streaming it, go back to Playback > Renderer and choose the option of "Local" or uncheck Chromecast, depending on the interface shown by your version of VLC.

Stream VLC to TV from the Chrome browser

If for whatever reason VLC doesn't detect the Chromecast, or you want a quick alternative, you can use the Google Chrome browser to send your PC screen to the TV. It's slightly less clean than just sending the file, but it works quite well.

First, make sure that the PC and the target TV or device are on the same Wi‑Fi networkThen open Google Chrome on Windows 11 and click on the three point icon which you will see in the upper right corner of the window.

In the menu that opens, choose the option "To transmit"A small window will appear with a list of available devices that accept Chrome content, such as Chromecast, TVs with Chromecast built-in, or some compatible Smart TV models.

Before selecting the device, click on the section "Sources" From that same window. There you can choose between “Cast tab”, “Cast desktop” or “Cast file”To use VLC, the most practical thing is usually to "Cast desktop", so everything you see on the screen (including VLC in windowed or full screen mode) will be sent to the TV.

Once you've selected your desktop as the source, click on your Chromecast or compatible TV and confirm. Now simply open VLC on your PC, put the video in full screen, and Chrome will send the entire image to the TVKeep in mind that this method is highly dependent on the power of your PC and network; if the video quality is lower or there is some delay, this is normal compared to VLC's native method.

Casting your PC screen to your TV in Windows 11 (Miracast and wireless display)

Beyond Chromecast, Windows 11 allows Connect your PC screen to many Miracast-compatible Smart TVs and receivers No extra apps required. This is useful if your TV doesn't have Chromecast but does have a "screen mirroring" or similar function.

From a Windows 11 PC, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + K To open the "Cast" panel directly, you'll see a list of available wireless displays; your Smart TV, Miracast devices, or even other Windows machines configured as receivers should appear there.

You can also get to the same place by searching “Broadcast” in the Windows search bar and choosing the option “Connect to a wireless display”or by opening Display Settings and using the section of “Multiple screens > Connect to a wireless screen”.

Once you choose your TV or Miracast device, Windows 11 offers you several screen modes If you press Windows key + P: “PC screen only”, “Duplicate”, “Extend”, or “Second screen only”. To watch VLC on a large screen on your TV without complications, you'll usually use “Duplicate” or “Second screen only”.

If your PC and TV support WiGig technology (less common in home use), you can use a WiGig base connected to the monitor or projector To get the image wirelessly. In that case, you'll have a specific setting in Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode that indicates whether your device supports WiGig.

Use a second Windows 10/11 PC as a screen for VLC

You might not have a Smart TV, but you might have another Windows computer connected to a TV or projector. In that scenario, Windows 10 and 11 allow a PC to act as a... wireless display from another deviceAnd that also lets you view VLC on a larger screen.

On the PC that will receive the image (the one connected to the TV), go into Start > Settings > System > Project to this computerIf the system detects that you do not have the "Wireless Projection" feature installed, you will see a link to go to “Optional features”.

Within Optional Features, click on “Add a feature”Type "wireless projection" in the search bar, check the corresponding box, and click Install. When it's finished, return to the "Project to this computer" page to adjust the settings: always allow projection, only sometimes, require permission, etc.

On the PC that will send the content (where you have VLC), use again Windows key + K or the "Connect to a wireless display" option and select the name of the other computer. On the receiving PC, open the application "Connect" (you can find it by searching for “Connect app” in the taskbar) to display the remote screen.

From then on, anything you display on the first PC, including VLC in full screen, It will appear on the TV connected to the second device.It's a good way to recycle an old PC as a multimedia "receiver" in the living room.

Stream VLC to TV from Android

Although this article focuses on Windows 11, many people combine their PC with their mobile device to view content, and it's useful to know that you can also do this. Use VLC on Android to send videos to your TV, either with Chromecast or Miracast.

The first thing to check is what transmission system supports your TVMost modern Smart TVs include Chromecast built-in or, at the very least, a screen mirroring function compatible with Miracast. This information is usually found in the TV's manual or network settings menu.

Next, make sure that the Android phone and the TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi networkThen install and open VLC on your smartphone, find the video or audio file you want to play, and start playback from within the app.

In the VLC interface for Android you will see, usually at the top or in the playback panel, a transmit icon It has a screen-like shape and signal waves. Tapping it will open a list of available devices: TVs with Chromecast, external Chromecast, some compatible Smart TVs, etc.

Choose your destination TV and, in a few moments, The content from VLC on your mobile device will be sent directly to the TV.Meanwhile, you can continue using your mobile phone as a remote control to pause, change tracks, or fast-forward playback.

How to use VLC with Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and other devices

In addition to Chromecast and Smart TVs with Miracast, many people have a Roku, an Amazon Fire TV Stick, or other HDMI dongles to add smart features to your TV. Its operation with VLC isn't identical to Chromecast, but there are options.

In the case of Roku, VLC's direct cast feature is not available. fully officially supportedSome users may see their Roku TVs in VLC's Playback > Renderer menu, but other Roku devices (such as certain Streaming Stick+ models) do not appear in the list, even though they are visible from Chrome or other apps.

If VLC doesn't detect your Roku as a "renderer", you'll have to resort to a screen mirroring solution From Windows 11 (Miracast if compatible) or using the Chrome browser to cast the entire desktop where VLC is displayed. In short, with Roku you depend more on the operating system or the browser than on direct VLC integration.

Things get more interesting with Amazon Fire TV. For one thing, the newer Fire TVs allow receive duplicate content from mobile phones and PCs (provided they are on the same network and the device supports the function). On the other hand, there is a native VLC app for Fire TV which you can download from the Amazon Appstore.

By installing VLC on your Fire TV, you can play files from network servers, shared PC folders, NAS, and other sources No cables required. In this case, you're not "casting" from VLC on your PC; instead, the Fire TV acts as a standalone player, reading the data over the local network.

Other alternatives, such as 5KPlayer, also offer features for Send content to Chromecast, Fire TV, or Apple TVThey are interesting if VLC falls short in a specific function, although it should be noted that some of these applications have somewhat outdated interfaces and the transmission quality may not be as stable as that of VLC.

Stream VLC to your TV without Chromecast: AirDroid Cast and other options

If you don't have a Chromecast or your TV doesn't support it, there are software alternatives such as AirDroid Cast that allow you to send the screen and sound from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android or iOS to a TV or other device, acting as a kind of universal "bridge".

The idea is simple: you install AirDroid Cast (or a similar tool) on both the device that will send the signal and the one that will receive it, put them on the same network, and use the option to share screenFrom then on, what you see on your PC (including VLC) will be displayed on the TV or remote screen.

The advantage is that you don't need a physical Chromecast or a particularly modern TV. All you need is for the device connected to the TV to support the AirDroid Cast app or a compatible browser to open the casting session.

Obviously, quality and fluidity will continue to depend on the local network, the power of the equipment, and the file sizeBut for many people it becomes a practical alternative when there is no additional hardware or the Smart TV offers few casting options.

How to remotely control VLC while streaming to TV

One somewhat inconvenient point when sending content from your PC to your TV is that, for pause or change fileYou usually have to get up and fiddle with the mouse and keyboard. To avoid this, you can use apps that turn your mobile phone into a VLC remote control.

There are several apps for Android and iOS, such as VLC RemoteThese devices connect to your PC's VLC player via your local network and allow you to control it like a traditional home theater system. All you'll need is... PC and mobile are on the same Wi-Fi.

For these apps to work, certain settings need to be enabled in VLC. remote interface optionsGo to Preferences, select “Show settings > All”, and look for the “Main Interfaces” section. From there you can enable HTTP control, set a password, and configure the port (for example, 8080), which is what many of these applications use.

If you don't want to deal with manual configuration, some utilities like SetupHelper (available on the VLC Remote developers' own website) automate that part to get the remote server ready in just a few clicks.

Once you have it set up, you will be able to browse the playlist, fast forward, rewind, and even change tracks From the sofa using only your mobile phone, while the TV plays the video that the PC is sending via Chromecast, Miracast or any other system.

Tips to avoid interruptions and improve smoothness when streaming VLC

Even if you have everything set up correctly, it's quite common that The videos appear choppy, with pauses or black screens. When you send content from your PC to your TV, several factors can influence the process and should be reviewed.

On the one hand, there is the bandwidth of your local connection and the quality of the Wi-Fi. If you're on the 2,4 GHz network, far from the router, or with many walls in between, the actual speed may be just enough to play large videos, especially if there are other people at home streaming or downloading content.

Close programs that consume a lot of internet (for example, Torrent clients, large browser downloads, or open streaming platforms (at the same time) also helps the content to flow smoothly to the Chromecast or target device.

The video file itself matters: giant 4K MKV files can be a problem if your PC or network can't handle it. In many cases, it's better to opt for 1080p with H.265 codecwhich achieves very decent quality while taking up much less space than the classic H.264. If you want to recompress videos, tools like HandBrake can help you reduce size without losing too much quality.

Additionally, try to ensure that the equipment acting as the source isn't under-resourced. a decent graphics card, enough RAM, and a CPU that isn't overloaded They make a difference, especially if you're playing high-bitrate videos or if VLC has to perform on-the-fly format conversion to send it.

VLC settings to fix streaming problems

VLC has several internal parameters that can to make a difference when streaming cuts out or freezesSome are very easy to play and don't require you to be an advanced user.

One of the most effective is to increase the network cache sizeThis cache defines how much data VLC advances before starting to play, so that if there are small bumps in the connection, the player doesn't suddenly run out of data.

To change it, go to Tools> PreferencesGo to the “Input / Codecs” tab and look for the “Network Cache (ms)” field. It's usually found in a few 300 milliseconds by defaultTry increasing that value (for example, to 1000, 1500 or something more) depending on the stability of your network, and then click Save and restart VLC.

Another important adjustment is the video output mode On Windows, VLC normally uses OpenGL for output, but this can cause problems on some systems and with certain codecs. To change this, go to Preferences, open the "Video" section, and select "DirectX Video Output (DirectDraw)" or another DirectX option from the list.

After saving the changes, close and reopen VLC. Switching to DirectX often reduces black screen errors, crashes, or incompatibilities when combining local playback and output to external devices.

And of course, don't forget to keep VLC always up to dateEach new version fixes bugs, improves compatibility with devices like Chromecast, and fine-tunes behavior with modern formats, streaming services, and platforms like YouTube.

Common problems when streaming VLC and how to deal with them

When you start playing around with all of this, it's easy to run into strange situations: The TV doesn't appear in VLC, the video is choppy, and the audio is out of sync.… Most of the time there is a fairly specific cause behind it.

If the Chromecast or Smart TV does not appear in Playback > RendererFirst, check the obvious: same network for PC and device, TV turned on, and Chromecast active (not in deep sleep mode). If all that is okay, check that Your firewall or antivirus may not be blocking VLC connections. on the local network.

If you notice that playback is slow, stutters, or freezes, consider the distance to the router, network congestion, and video bitrateMove the Chromecast or TV closer to the router, connect your PC via cable if possible, and prioritize the 5 GHz network over the 2,4 GHz network, especially if there are other streaming devices at home.

When the problem is that certain large files (like 4K UHD) cannot be played locally on the PC without stuttering, the cause is usually the insufficient computer powerThere are no miracles: either lower the quality, recompress the video, or use a more powerful computer to play it.

If you're using a Roku, an older Amazon Fire TV, or a very limited Smart TV, you might simply There is no native support for the type of casting that VLC does.In such cases, mirroring the desktop with Windows 11, using Google Chrome to stream, or using intermediary applications is usually the only solution.

With all of the above properly configured, VLC and Windows 11 become a very powerful combination for Enjoy your movies, series and music on TV Wireless and independent of the formats your Smart TV can read from a USB drive. By adjusting network settings, cache, video output modes, and carefully selecting the target device, you can set up a home multimedia system that works flawlessly and is compatible with Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Miracast, AirDroid Cast, or even another PC as a remote display.