How to Play PC Games on Your TV: Every Method Explained (2026)
You can play PC games on your TV using a direct HDMI cable, wireless game streaming through Steam Remote Play or Sunshine/Moonlight, or a wireless HDMI transmitter. The best method depends on your setup — HDMI gives you the lowest latency, streaming lets you play from another room, and wireless HDMI splits the difference. Here’s how to set up each one.
At a Glance: Connection Methods Compared
| Method | Latency | Max Resolution | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 Cable | Lowest (~1ms) | 4K 120Hz + VRR | PC near the TV | $8–$20 |
| Steam Remote Play | Low–Medium (15–40ms) | 4K 60Hz | Streaming to a smart TV or Steam Deck | Free (requires Steam) |
| Sunshine + Moonlight | Low (5–20ms) | 4K 120Hz | Best open-source streaming, works with any game | Free |
| Wireless HDMI Transmitter | Low (~5–10ms) | 4K 30Hz or 1080p 60Hz | No cables, PC in same room | $50–$200 |
| Miracast / Wi-Fi Direct | High (50ms+) | 1080p | Casual browsing, not recommended for gaming | Free (if supported) |
Method 1: Direct HDMI Connection (Best Quality, Lowest Lag)
If your PC is within cable reach of your TV, a direct HDMI connection is the simplest and best-performing option. No compression, no network dependency, no input lag beyond what the TV itself adds.
What You Need
You need an HDMI 2.1 cable if you want 4K at 120Hz with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and HDR. HDMI 2.0 cables max out at 4K 60Hz. Make sure the cable connects to your dedicated GPU (the graphics card), not the motherboard’s HDMI port — integrated graphics will struggle with demanding games.
For cables longer than 10 feet (3 meters), look for an active HDMI 2.1 cable or a fiber-optic HDMI cable, since passive copper cables lose signal reliability at longer distances.
Recommended HDMI 2.1 Cables:
- Highwings 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable (6.6 ft) on Amazon — Certified 48Gbps, braided, supports 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz
- Amazon Basics Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable on Amazon — Budget-friendly, certified, available in multiple lengths
Step-by-Step Setup
- Connect the cable from your GPU’s HDMI port to an HDMI port on your TV. Use HDMI port 1 or whichever port your TV labels as supporting 4K 120Hz (check your TV manual — on Samsung TVs, it’s usually HDMI 4; on LG OLEDs, all ports support it).
- Switch your TV input to the correct HDMI source.
- Set the resolution on your PC: Right-click the desktop → Display Settings → scroll down to Display resolution and set it to 3840 × 2160 (4K). If your GPU or TV does not support 4K, use 1920 × 1080 (1080p).
- Set the refresh rate: In Display Settings → Advanced display → set the refresh rate to 120Hz (if supported) or 60Hz.
- Enable VRR/FreeSync: If your TV supports VRR (most 2021+ Samsung, LG, Sony TVs do), enable it in the TV settings menu. On Windows, go to Display Settings → Graphics → Change default graphics settings and toggle on Variable Refresh Rate.
Optimize Your TV Settings for Gaming
This is the step most guides skip, and it makes a huge difference. TVs add image processing that creates input lag — the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen. A TV in standard mode might have 50–100ms of input lag. In Game Mode, that drops to 5–15ms.
- Enable Game Mode: On Samsung TVs, go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → Game Mode. On LG TVs, it activates automatically when it detects a game console or PC. On Sony TVs, check Settings → Display & Sound → Picture → Picture Mode → Game.
- Turn off overscan: Look for settings labeled Just Scan, Screen Fit, 1:1 Pixel Mapping, or Aspect Ratio → Original. Overscan crops the edges of your desktop.
- Set the HDMI input label to “PC”: On some Samsung and LG TVs, renaming the HDMI input to “PC” reduces input lag further by disabling additional post-processing.
- Disable motion smoothing: Features called Motion Plus (Samsung), TruMotion (LG), or Motionflow (Sony) add input lag. Turn them off for gaming.
Method 2: Steam Remote Play (Best for Steam Library)
Steam Remote Play lets you stream games from your gaming PC to any device running the Steam Link app — including smart TVs (Samsung, LG, and Android TV all have Steam Link in their app stores), Fire TV sticks, phones, tablets, and other PCs.
Setup on Your Gaming PC
- Open Steam on your gaming PC.
- Go to Steam → Settings → Remote Play.
- Make sure Enable Remote Play is checked.
- Under Advanced Host Options, check Enable hardware encoding for better performance.
Setup on Your TV
- Install the Steam Link app from your smart TV’s app store. If your TV does not have the app, use an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Chromecast with Google TV — both support Steam Link.
- Open Steam Link and follow the on-screen pairing process. It will scan your network and find your PC automatically.
- Enter the 4-digit PIN shown on your TV into Steam on your PC to complete pairing.
- Connect a controller to your TV device via Bluetooth or USB.
Performance Tips for Steam Remote Play
- Use Ethernet on both ends if possible. A single wired connection (PC or TV) helps, but both wired is best.
- If you must use Wi-Fi, use the 5 GHz band (or Wi-Fi 6/6E if your router supports it). The 2.4 GHz band adds latency and drops frames.
- In Steam → Settings → Remote Play → Advanced Client Options, set streaming quality to Balanced to start, then increase if your network handles it smoothly.
- Steam automatically launches its redesigned Big Picture Mode (updated in 2023 with a Steam Deck-style interface) when streaming to Steam Link — this gives you a controller-friendly UI for browsing and launching games.
Method 3: Sunshine + Moonlight (Best Open-Source Streaming)
Important: Nvidia GameStream was discontinued in February 2023. The Nvidia Shield TV no longer streams from your PC using the old GameStream protocol. The replacement is Sunshine (the host software on your PC) paired with Moonlight (the client app on your TV or streaming device). This combo works with any GPU — Nvidia, AMD, or Intel — and is completely free.
Sunshine + Moonlight generally delivers lower latency than Steam Remote Play because it uses more efficient encoding and has fewer layers of abstraction. It also supports 4K 120Hz streaming if your hardware and network can handle it.
Setup: Install Sunshine on Your PC
- Download Sunshine from github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine.
- Run the installer. On first launch, Sunshine opens a web-based control panel at
https://localhost:47990. - Create a username and password for the web UI (this secures remote access to your PC).
- In the Sunshine web UI, go to Configuration → Audio/Video and set your preferred resolution and frame rate.
Setup: Install Moonlight on Your TV or Device
- Install Moonlight from the app store on your device:
- Android TV / Google TV / Fire TV: Search “Moonlight” in the app store
- Samsung Tizen TV: Not natively available — use a Fire TV Stick 4K or Chromecast with Google TV instead
- Apple TV: Available on the App Store
- PC / Mac / Linux: Download from moonlight-stream.org
- Open Moonlight. It will automatically detect your PC running Sunshine on the same network.
- Click your PC name and enter the PIN displayed in Moonlight into the Sunshine web UI to pair.
- Your Steam library and desktop will appear as launchable options.
Why Sunshine + Moonlight Over Steam Remote Play?
- Works with non-Steam games without adding them to your Steam library (streams your entire desktop)
- Supports AV1 hardware encoding on newer GPUs (RTX 40-series, RX 7000-series, Intel Arc) for better quality at lower bitrates
- Supports 4K 120Hz streaming (Steam Remote Play caps at 4K 60Hz)
- Lower baseline latency in most network configurations
- Open-source — actively developed by the community with frequent updates
Method 4: Wireless HDMI Transmitter (No Network Required)
Wireless HDMI transmitters send your PC’s video signal directly to a receiver plugged into your TV’s HDMI port, with no network or Wi-Fi required. Most modern units claim near-zero latency at 1080p 60Hz, though 4K support typically drops to 30Hz.
This is a good option if your PC is in the same room as your TV but you want to avoid running a cable across the floor.
Recommended Wireless HDMI Transmitters:
- Eaton Tripp Lite Wireless HDMI Extender 4K on Amazon — Supports 4K@30Hz, up to 98 ft range, near-zero latency
- BRAIDOL Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver on Amazon — 328 ft range, 5GHz dual-band, 4K decode/1080p output, budget-friendly
Setup
- Plug the transmitter into your PC’s HDMI port (or your GPU’s HDMI port if you have a desktop).
- Plug the receiver into an HDMI port on your TV.
- Power both units (most use USB power — plug them into USB ports or a wall adapter).
- Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input. The connection is automatic — no pairing or network setup needed.
Limitation: Wireless HDMI adds a small amount of latency compared to a wired cable, and most units max out at 1080p 60Hz for gaming. If you need 4K 120Hz, a wired HDMI 2.1 cable is the only reliable option as of 2026.
Controller and Input Device Recommendations
You will need a controller or wireless keyboard/mouse combo for couch gaming. Here are the best options:
| Device | Connection | Best For | Amazon Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Wireless Controller (2025) | Bluetooth + USB-C | Best overall PC controller | Buy on Amazon |
| 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller | Bluetooth + 2.4GHz | Best third-party option, hall effect sticks | Buy on Amazon |
| Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard | USB receiver (Unifying) | Navigating Windows from the couch | Buy on Amazon |
The Xbox Wireless Controller (2025 model) works natively with Windows via Bluetooth — no adapter needed. It also works directly with Steam Link on smart TVs and Fire TV devices. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is the best alternative if you prefer a Nintendo-style layout or want hall-effect joysticks that resist drift.
For navigating Windows on your TV (file management, browser, settings), the Logitech K400 Plus is the go-to — it has a built-in touchpad and costs under $30.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Black screen after connecting HDMI: Your TV may not support the resolution or refresh rate your PC is outputting. Hold Windows key + P, select Duplicate or Second screen only, and lower the resolution in Display Settings.
No sound through TV: Right-click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar → Sound settings → under Output, select your TV (it will appear as the TV model name or “HDMI Audio”). If it does not appear, check that your HDMI cable supports audio (all HDMI 2.0+ cables do).
Stuttering or frame drops during streaming: Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet. If that is not possible, move your router closer, switch to the 5 GHz band, and close bandwidth-heavy apps on other devices. In Steam Remote Play, lower the streaming resolution to 1080p.
High input lag on TV: Make sure Game Mode is enabled on your TV (see the TV settings section above). Also disable any “eco mode” or “energy saving” picture settings, which can add processing lag.
Controller not detected by Steam Link: Make sure the controller is in pairing mode (hold the pairing button for 3 seconds on Xbox controllers). On Fire TV devices, go to Settings → Controllers & Bluetooth Devices → Other Bluetooth Devices to pair manually.
Moonlight cannot find your PC: Make sure Sunshine is running on your PC (check the system tray). Both devices must be on the same local network. If your PC does not appear, manually enter your PC’s local IP address in Moonlight (find it by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt on your PC).
Our Recommendation
For most people, start with a direct HDMI 2.1 cable if your PC is near your TV — it is the simplest setup with the best picture quality and lowest input lag. If your PC is in another room, Sunshine + Moonlight gives you the best streaming quality and works with every game and app on your PC, not just Steam. Use Steam Remote Play if you want the easiest setup and play mostly Steam games. Skip Miracast for gaming — the latency makes it unusable for anything fast-paced.