Screen mirroring not working? Fix AirPlay, Chromecast and Miracast

You hit Screen Mirroring and the TV isn't in the list. Or it shows up, connects for a second, then drops. By the end of this you'll have your phone or computer showing on the TV again.

The short answer

Most mirroring failures happen because the phone and TV aren't on the same Wi-Fi network. Put both on the same network name, restart the TV and your device, and try again. If that fails, your router is probably blocking devices from seeing each other. That setting is called client isolation, and you can turn it off.

Before you start

• What you need: the TV remote, your phone or computer, and access to your router's app or admin page if you get that far.
• Time: 5 minutes for the basics, 20 if you end up in router settings.
• Know your method: iPhone and Mac use AirPlay. Android and Chrome use Google Cast (Chromecast/Google TV). Samsung phones also have Smart View. Windows uses Miracast. The TV has to support the method your device uses.
• No data is at risk here, so you don't need a backup.

Step 1: Get everything on the same network

AirPlay and Google Cast find the TV by searching your local network. If the TV is on one network and your phone is on another, they can't see each other.

1. Open the TV's settings and find Network (or Connection). Write down the Wi-Fi name it's using.
2. On your phone or computer, check which Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
3. If the names differ, even slightly (like "Home" vs. "Home-5G" or "Home-Guest"), move your device to the TV's network.
4. Turn off any VPN on your phone or computer. A VPN routes traffic away from your local network, so the TV disappears.

If it worked, the TV now shows up in your mirroring list.

Step 2: Restart both ends

1. Unplug the TV (or streaming stick) from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Turning it off with the remote often just puts it to sleep.
2. Restart your phone or computer.
3. Try mirroring again.

Step 3: Update the TV and your device

Mirroring breaks when one side is far behind on updates.

1. On the TV, go to Settings → Support or Settings → System and look for Software Update. The wording varies by brand.
2. iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update.
3. Android: Settings → System → Software updates (Pixel) or Settings → Software update (Samsung).
4. Mac: System Settings → General → Software Update.
5. Windows 11: Settings → Windows Update.

Step 4: Device-specific fixes

iPhone (AirPlay)

1. Open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring (the two overlapping rectangles).
2. Pick your TV. If a code appears on the TV, type it in.
3. If you're casting from an app like YouTube, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and make sure that app is switched on. Without this, the app can't search for the TV.
4. On an Apple TV, check Settings → AirPlay and HomeKit → Allow Access and set it to Everyone on the Same Network.

Android (Pixel and Samsung)

1. Pixel: swipe down twice and tap Screen Cast. If you don't see it, tap the pencil icon to add it. You can also open the Google Home app, tap your TV, and choose Cast my screen.
2. Samsung: swipe down twice and tap Smart View, then pick the TV.
3. If the TV still doesn't show, open the Google Home app and confirm the TV or Chromecast is set up there and on the same home.

Mac (AirPlay)

1. Click Control Center in the menu bar, then Screen Mirroring, and choose the TV.
2. If nothing appears, go to System Settings → Network → Firewall → Options. Make sure Block all incoming connections is off. Keep the firewall itself on. That one option blocks AirPlay.

Windows 11 (Miracast)

1. Press Windows key + K to open the Cast panel and pick your TV.
2. If the panel says your PC doesn't support it, press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, click Save All Information, and open the saved file. Look for the line "Miracast." If it says not supported, your PC's Wi-Fi hardware can't do it. Use an HDMI cable or cast from Chrome instead.
3. To cast to a Chromecast or Google TV, open Chrome, click the three-dot menu → Cast, save, and share → Cast. Older versions just say Cast.
4. Check that your Wi-Fi is set to private: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → your network → Network profile type → Private network. On a public profile, Windows hides your PC from other devices and blocks discovery.

Step 5: Turn off client isolation on your router

Client isolation, also called AP isolation, stops devices on the same Wi-Fi from talking to each other. It's useful on public Wi-Fi, but it kills mirroring at home.

1. Open your router's app, or type its address (often printed on the router's label) into a browser and log in.
2. Look under Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Advanced for Client Isolation, AP Isolation, or Device Isolation.
3. Turn it off for your main network. Guest networks usually have it on by design, so keep the TV off the guest network.
4. Save, wait for the router to restart, then try again.

If you're on building-provided Wi-Fi, which is common in newer NYC rentals, isolation is often enforced and you can't change it. A cheap router of your own for just the TV and your devices solves that. So does a plain HDMI cable.

Still not working? Try these

• Split bands: if your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, put the TV and your device on the same one.
• Mesh systems: move closer to the node the TV uses, or temporarily turn off band steering in the mesh app to test.
• Weak signal: mirroring stutters or drops on bad Wi-Fi. See Router keeps dropping Wi-Fi? and, for long apartments, fixing Wi-Fi dead zones in a prewar or railroad apartment.
• TV mirroring setting: some TVs have AirPlay or Screen Mirroring turned off in settings. Look under General, Connection, or Apple AirPlay Settings.
• Reset the TV's network settings and reconnect it to Wi-Fi.

Keep it from happening again

• Give your Wi-Fi one name across both bands, and keep the TV off the guest network.
• Turn on automatic updates on the TV, not just your phone.
• Remember to pause your VPN when you want to mirror.
• Keep an HDMI cable by the TV as a backup.

Quick answers

Can I mirror an iPhone to a Chromecast? Not built in. iPhones use AirPlay, so you need an AirPlay-compatible TV or an Apple TV. Many apps like YouTube can still cast to Chromecast from their own cast button.

Why does mirroring work but the video lags? Mirroring sends your whole screen over Wi-Fi in real time. Use the app's own cast button instead when you can. It streams directly to the TV and looks much better.

Does Miracast need Wi-Fi? Miracast connects directly between devices, so it doesn't need your router. Wi-Fi still has to be turned on for it to work.

Rather have us fix it?

If your TV still won't show up, an ITGoNYC tech can come to your place and sort out the router isolation, mesh settings, and TV setup in one on-site visit, so mirroring just works. Call or text 347-549-9059 now for same-day help, or open a ticket.