6 Easy Steps to Connect a PC to a TV Using a VGA Cable

A user-friendly guide to using a VGA cable to connect your PC to a TV

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: September 11, 2023 Fact Checked

Do you want to connect your computer to your TV? If you have an old VGA cable lying around, you can use it to connect and project your PC to your TV. Be sure to also use a 3.5 mm audio cable if you want to transmit your computer's sounds. This wikiHow will show you how to connect a Windows 10 or 11 computer to a TV using a wired VGA cable.

Things You Should Know

Purchase a VGA cable and a 3.5 mm audio cable (if you want to transmit sound).
Connect both cables from your computer to your TV. The audio cable can connect to the TV or a speaker.
On your computer, open the Action Center. Click "Project" and select a projection option.

Steps

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1
Purchase the proper cables. To connect your PC to your TV with a VGA cable, you'll also need a 3.5 mm audio cable if you want to transmit sound. Without the audio cable, you won't be able to hear sounds from your computer.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, you can connect your computer to a TV with an HDMI cable. This eliminates the need for an audio cable.
2
Connect one VGA end to your computer. The VGA port is shaped like a trapezoid with two screw holes on either side. Additionally, there are 15 pins within the trapezoid.
- Make sure your computer is turned on.
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3
Connect the other VGA end to your TV. If you don't have a VGA port on your TV, you may need to connect with an HDMI cable instead. You can also purchase a VGA-to-HDMI adapter (or VGA to an available port on your TV).
- Make sure your TV is turned on.
4
Connect the audio cable to both devices. You'll need to plug one end of the 3.5 mm audio cable into the headphone jack on your computer and then connect the other end to the audio output on your TV.
- You can also connect the cable to a connected speaker or stereo system.
5
Switch the TV input. In most cases, the TV should automatically detect the new connection and switch accordingly. If it doesn't, you'll need to change the input to your computer. It should say VGA or something similar.
- If you're using a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, you'll switch the input to HDMI.
- If you don't know the input, cycle through all the available options until your computer screen appears.
6
Adjust the projection (optional). By default, your computer's screen should be mirrored on the TV. If you want to change this, do the following:
- On your computer keyboard, press Windows key + P. This opens the Project menu.
- Select PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only.
- Confirm the new selection.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I connect the other end of the cable to the TV HDMI?

Community Answer

You can use a VGA to HDMI converter if your TV does not support VGA. You can find them online or in an electronic store.

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Question

How can I get sound from my VGA cable from laptop to TV?

Community Answer

You must plug the VGA audio cable or an additional audio cable into the TV's audio port and also to your laptop. However, if you do not have an audio and VGA port, you can use an HDMI to VGA. If you still do not have an HDMI port, you can buy an adapter from an electronics store.

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Question

My computer shows the background of the computer on the TV screen but not showing the applications being used, any ideas?

Arapu Alexandru

Community Answer

Drag the applications from the main display. Try taking a window and try to drag it post the edges of the screen. If you get it right, the window along with your cursor will move to the other display (here, the TV).

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