You want to show your Windows 11 PC screen on a TV, a projector or another PC without a cable, but the display does not appear in the list, the connection fails or Windows asks you to plug in a cable? This guide starts from what you observe to find the cause, following Microsoft's support pages. Windows wireless projection relies on the Miracast standard, which sets up a direct Wi-Fi connection (Wi-Fi Direct) between the PC and the display: it therefore depends on the PC, its drivers and the target display.
If your display is connected with an HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C cable and is not detected, see Second screen not detected or "No signal" on Windows 10/11 (French guide) instead.
Problem
- The TV, projector or other PC does not appear when you press Windows + K.
- Windows shows a message saying you need to connect an external display with a cable.
- The display appears in the list, but the connection fails or drops.
- You want to project to another Windows PC, but it cannot be found.
Observe before acting
| Observation | Most likely cause | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + K says a cable is needed | The PC does not support Miracast (hardware or driver) | Step 1 |
| Windows + K opens but no device appears | Wi-Fi off, display not compatible or not ready | Steps 2 and 3 |
| Another Windows PC cannot be found | "Wireless Display" feature missing or not set up on that PC | Step 4 |
| The display appears but the connection fails | Drivers, firmware or pairing to redo | Steps 5 and 6 |
Step 1: check that the PC supports Miracast
When to use it: Windows + K says you need to connect a display with a cable, or you do not know whether your PC is compatible.
According to the Windows 11 specifications published by Microsoft, wireless projection requires a graphics card that supports the WDDM 2.0 driver model and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct. If either is missing, Windows cannot project wirelessly. A desktop PC without a Wi-Fi card, for example, cannot use Miracast.
Suggested solution
- Press Windows + K. Microsoft states that if the device does not support Miracast, a message may ask you to connect an external display with a cable.
- For a more detailed check, open Terminal (right-click the Start button, then Terminal) and type:
netsh wlan show drivers- In the output, find the line about wireless display (Wireless Display on an English-language Windows). On recent versions of Windows, it usually states whether the graphics driver and the Wi-Fi driver support it. This command changes nothing, it only displays information.
- If the graphics driver or the Wi-Fi driver is not shown as compatible, go to step 5 to update the driver concerned.
Expected result: you know whether your PC can project wirelessly. If the hardware does not allow it (no Wi-Fi Direct), only a cable connection, or a compatible Wi-Fi card, will let you display the image.
Step 2: check that Wi-Fi is turned on
When to use it: Windows + K opens, but no display appears.
Suggested solution
- Select the Network, Sound or Battery icons on the right side of the taskbar.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
- Turn off Airplane mode if it is on.
Expected result: the display appears in the Windows + K list after a few seconds.
Step 3: check the target display or TV
When to use it: Wi-Fi is on and the display still does not appear.
Suggested solution
- Turn on the TV or projector and enable its screen-receiving feature (the name varies by manufacturer: see its manual).
- Check in the display's documentation that it supports Miracast.
- If it does not, Microsoft says you need a Miracast adapter (sometimes called a dongle) plugged into an HDMI port of the display. Make sure it is properly plugged in and powered.
- Press Windows + K again and choose the display from the list.
Expected result: the display is listed and the connection is established after any on-screen instructions.
Step 4: project to another Windows PC
When to use it: the target is another Windows 11 PC.
On the PC that receives the image, the Wireless Display optional feature must be installed. Microsoft states that the Wireless Display app is available on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later.
Suggested solution
- On the target PC, open Settings > System > Projecting to this PC.
- Under the line inviting you to add the "Wireless Display" optional feature, select Optional features.
- Next to Add an optional feature, select View features, type "wireless display", tick Wireless Display, then select Next and Install.
- Go back to the Projecting to this PC page and make sure the PC is set up to be discoverable.
- Launch the Wireless Display app (type "wireless display" in the taskbar search box). Wi-Fi must be turned on on this PC.
- On the PC sending the image, press Windows + K and select the target PC.
Expected result: the first PC's desktop appears in the Wireless Display window of the second.
Step 5: update drivers and firmware
When to use it: step 1 reports an incompatible driver, or the connection fails even though the display appears.
Suggested solution
- Install the updates offered in Settings > Windows Update, including optional driver updates.
- Download the latest Wi-Fi and graphics drivers from the website of your laptop or motherboard manufacturer, or from the component manufacturer's website. Microsoft advises checking the manufacturer's support information, or its app in the Microsoft Store.
- Also update the firmware of the TV, projector or Miracast adapter, following their manufacturer's instructions.
- Restart the PC and the wireless display.
Expected result: the command in step 1 reports support and the connection succeeds.
Step 6: remove the display and reconnect it
When to use it: the display worked before, but the connection now fails.
Suggested solution
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Under Wireless displays & docks, select the display or adapter concerned, then Remove device.
- Restart the PC, then reconnect the display with Windows + K.
Expected result: the display is paired again and the image appears.
Special cases
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Desktop PC without Wi-Fi | Miracast requires a Wi-Fi card that supports Wi-Fi Direct. Use a cable or add a compatible card. |
| TV without Miracast | A Miracast adapter plugged into HDMI is required. |
| Older Windows version on the target PC | Before Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft says to use the Connect app instead of the Wireless Display app. |
| The display works with a cable but not wirelessly | The problem lies with the wireless link: go back to steps 1, 2 and 5. |
Final check
- ☐ The PC supports Miracast (Windows + K does not ask for a cable).
- ☐ Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off.
- ☐ The display supports Miracast, or a Miracast adapter is plugged in.
- ☐ For a target PC, the Wireless Display feature is installed and running.
- ☐ The Wi-Fi and graphics drivers and the display firmware are up to date.
Sources
- Microsoft: Fix connections to wireless displays or docks in Windows
- Microsoft: Screen mirroring and projecting to your PC or wireless display
- Microsoft: Windows 11 specifications and system requirements (Projection section)
- Microsoft Learn: Supporting Miracast Wireless Displays (for driver developers)
- Microsoft Learn: Netsh Commands for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (show drivers command)
Still having the problem?
Reply in this topic with your Windows 11 version (Windows + R keys, then winver), the model of the PC or Wi-Fi card, the type of target display (brand and model of the TV, projector or adapter), the message shown by Windows + K and the wireless display line returned by netsh wlan show drivers. Do not post the name or the password of your Wi-Fi network.