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How to Fix Wireless Display Not Working on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Wireless display technology allows you to mirror or extend your Windows 11 screen to another compatible device without cables. It’s convenient for presentations, watching videos on a bigger screen, or multitasking with multiple displays. However, sometimes the wireless display feature may not work as expected.

If you are facing issues connecting your Windows 11 PC to a wireless display, don’t worry. Many common problems can be fixed with simple steps. This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow troubleshooting methods to get your wireless display working again.

Each step is explained clearly to help you understand why it’s necessary and how it improves your connection. By the end, you should be able to connect your devices smoothly or know what to do if the problem persists.

Let’s start with some quick checks before diving into detailed solutions.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Check Device Compatibility: Ensure both your Windows 11 PC and the wireless display device support Miracast or wireless display technology.
  • Same Network Connection: Both devices should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for a stable connection.
  • Update Windows and Drivers: Having the latest Windows updates and display drivers installed helps fix bugs and improve wireless display performance.
  • Close Other Applications: Sometimes, running heavy apps or multiple network-heavy tasks can affect wireless display connectivity.

Step 1: Restart Your Devices

Restarting is the simplest fix and can resolve many temporary glitches.

  1. Restart your Windows 11 PC: Click the Start menu, select Power, and then choose Restart.
  2. Restart the wireless display device: Power off and then on your TV, monitor, or adapter you want to connect to.
  3. Reboot your Wi-Fi router: This can help refresh the network connection between your devices.

Restarting clears temporary files or network errors that might block the wireless display connection.

Step 2: Enable Wireless Display on Your Windows 11 PC

Windows 11 requires the wireless display feature to be enabled in the system settings.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps > Optional features.
  3. Click on View features next to “Add an optional feature.”
  4. Type “Wireless Display” in the search box.
  5. If not installed, select Wireless Display and click Install.
  6. After installation, restart your PC to apply changes.

This step ensures your PC can send video signals wirelessly to compatible devices.

Step 3: Check Network and Bluetooth Settings

Wireless display often relies on network and Bluetooth connections for discovery and communication.

  1. Make sure your PC’s Wi-Fi is turned on and connected to the correct network.
  2. Enable Bluetooth by clicking the network icon in the taskbar and toggling Bluetooth on.
  3. Go to Settings > System > Display and click Multiple displays then Connect to search for wireless displays.

Without active network and Bluetooth, your PC may not find or connect to the wireless display device.

Step 4: Use the Connect App to Manually Connect

Try using the built-in Connect app to establish a wireless display connection.

  1. Press Windows + S and search for Connect.
  2. Open the Connect app; it will wait for incoming connections.
  3. On your Windows 11 PC, press Windows + K to open the wireless display sidebar.
  4. Select your wireless display device from the list to connect.

This manual step can sometimes bypass automatic discovery issues.

Step 5: Update or Reinstall Display and Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can prevent wireless display from working properly.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters and Display adapters.
  3. Right-click your wireless network adapter and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for updates.
  4. Do the same for your display adapter.
  5. If updating doesn’t help, right-click and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC to reinstall drivers automatically.

Keeping drivers up to date ensures compatibility and fixes bugs affecting wireless display functionality.

Step 6: Disable VPN and Firewall Temporarily

VPN or firewall settings can block the communication needed for wireless display.

  1. Turn off any active VPN software temporarily.
  2. Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Privacy & security > Windows Security.
  3. Click Firewall & network protection and temporarily disable the firewall for your active network.
  4. Try connecting to the wireless display again.

If this fixes the issue, adjust your firewall or VPN settings to allow wireless display connections.

Step 7: Run the Windows Network and Display Troubleshooters

Windows 11 includes built-in troubleshooters to diagnose and fix common problems automatically.

  1. Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  2. Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter first.
  3. After that completes, run the Video Playback troubleshooter.
  4. Follow on-screen instructions and apply any suggested fixes.

These troubleshooters can detect common issues and save you manual effort.

Alternative Method: Use Miracast Compatible Apps or Devices

If the standard wireless display connection isn’t working, try using third-party apps or devices that support Miracast or similar protocols.

  • Apps like Intel Wireless Display or AirServer can improve compatibility.
  • Using a Miracast-certified adapter like Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter can help ensure proper connection.

These options might provide a more stable wireless display experience, especially on older hardware.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and your wireless display still does not work, consider these final options:

  • Check Manufacturer Support: Visit your PC or wireless display manufacturer’s website for specific troubleshooting guides or updated drivers.
  • Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This will remove and reinstall network adapters but requires reconnecting to Wi-Fi.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Use the official Microsoft Support for personalized help.
  • Use Wired Connection: As a last resort, use an HDMI cable or similar to connect your PC to the display.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why won’t my Windows 11 PC find my wireless display?

This could be due to incompatible devices, disabled wireless display feature, or network issues. Make sure both devices support Miracast and are on the same Wi-Fi network.

How do I check if my PC supports Miracast?

Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. Click Save All Information and open the saved file to look for “Miracast: Available” under Display Devices.

Can I use wireless display without Wi-Fi?

No, wireless display requires a Wi-Fi connection to transmit the video signal between devices.

Is Bluetooth required for wireless display?

Bluetooth helps with device discovery and initial connection, but the video is streamed over Wi-Fi.

My wireless display connects but the screen is black, what should I do?

This can be caused by driver issues or display settings. Try updating drivers and adjusting the display resolution or refresh rate in Settings > System > Display.

Conclusion

Wireless display on Windows 11 is a handy feature that can sometimes face connectivity issues due to network, driver, or compatibility problems. Starting from simple steps like restarting devices and enabling the wireless display feature, you can resolve most issues.

Always ensure your PC and wireless display device are compatible, updated, and connected to the same network. If basic fixes don’t work, advanced steps like updating drivers or adjusting firewall settings can help. When all else fails, official support and alternative connections are good options.

Following this step-by-step guide should get your wireless display working smoothly and enhance your Windows 11 experience.

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