There are several ways that you can connect your Surface Pro to a TV. You can use a cable or adapter, or connect to the TV wirelessly. Make sure the cable or adapter you use is compatible with your device and the TV itself.
Whether you want to stream a video or give a presentation, being able to connect your Surface Pro to a TV can be a big help. It helps you see and show things off much clearer and ensures no detail is missed.
But in order to do this, you need to properly connect the device to your TV. This guide is going to go over a few of the best methods to do just that.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Using the right cables or adapters can allow you to physically connect your Surface Pro to your TV in seconds.
- You can wirelessly connect to the TV using Miracast or the Microsoft Wireless Adapter to avoid using cables at all.
- If the Surface Pro won’t seem to connect to the TV, it could be due to damage, incorrect video input settings, incorrect cables, or a variety of other reasons.
Method 1: Using Cables and Adapters
The first option is to physically connect your Surface Pro to the TV. If you want to use cables, the process is quick and easy. Simply plug one end of the cable into your TV, and the other into the correct port on your device.
No matter the type of TV you have, or which model of the Surface Pro you own, you will likely be able to find a cable that works for both. In many cases, this will be a cable with an HDMI side to plug into your TV, and a USB-C or Mini DisplayPort on the other side to go into your device.
Of course, you need to make sure that your TV is on the correct input setting to be able to see and/or hear the content on your Surface Pro. Once connected and on the right setting, your Surface Pro screen should automatically show up on the TV.
You have a few different options when connecting your Surface Pro to a TV. You can simply duplicate the screen, use the TV as an extension of the screen, or choose an option to only display on the second screen, which in this case would be your TV.
To choose which you want to use, go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple Displays, and select the desired option.
In addition to only using cables, there are also adapters that let you connect different devices. These are versatile and can likely be used on many other devices in your home.
Instead of using a cable with a USB-C connection on one end and an HDMI on the other, these adapters will let you use a traditional HDMI cable. Simply plug the HDMI cable into an adapter that turns one end of the HDMI into a USB-C, and you’re good to go.
Method 2: Wirelessly Connecting Your Surface Pro
While a physical connection between your Surface Pro and the TV is fine in many cases, it does restrict you a little. As a result, many people prefer to connect their Surface Pro to their TV wirelessly.
This lets you move around with the device and eliminates the worry of accidentally unplugging the device or tripping on the cable. There are a few choices you have when it comes to making this wireless connection.
Miracast
Miracast is a type of wireless technology that allows devices to be connected with one another, and for one to be able to mirror the screen of the other. It is a standard that has been defined by the Wif-Fi Alliance, and Miracast is supported by many different devices, TVs, and monitors.
To use Miracast to wirelessly connect your Surface Pro to your TV, open the Action Center in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. Choose Connect, and then you should be greeted with a list of available devices to connect to, and simply choose your TV.
Microsoft Wireless Adapter
While many TVs will have Miracast support built-in, it isn’t always the case. For these other TVs, you can use the Microsoft Wireless Adapter for similar results. The first step is to download and install the Microsoft Wireless Adapter app for free.
Once that is installed, you need to plug the adapter into your TV. The HDMI end will simply be plugged into an HDMI port on your TV. The USB end will either get plugged into the USB port on your TV, or another USB charger if your TV doesn’t have one.
After it is plugged in, go to the Action Center, click Connect, and select the Microsoft Wireless Adapter. Make sure the TV input lines up properly with the HDMI port that the adapter is plugged into.
What to Do If the Surface Pro Won’t Connect?
If the connection between your Surface Pro and TV won’t work, there are a couple of things you can do. First of all, make sure everything is connected and turned on. A loose connection with a cable or the TV being turned off might explain your issue.
The cables you are using could be incorrect, or you might simply be in the wrong TV input setting. In some cases, it could be a software or background process issue, and a quick reset of the Surface Pro could fix the problem.
These are all things you should do and/or check as they are simple fixes and won’t take long to try out. The issue could also be related to the drivers, resolution settings, and even damage within the TV, cable, or Surface Pro.
If the connection still won’t work, there is a chance that either your TV or your Surface Pro has encountered an issue you should consider bringing in a professional to check it out.
Final Thoughts
Connecting your Surface Pro to your TV can be great for watching videos, giving presentations, or simply viewing content on a larger screen. We hope that this guide has been able to show you the various different ways you can quickly and easily connect your Surface Pro to a TV.
Is there anything you feel we should have mentioned in this guide but didn’t? If so, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below to let us know!
