Why my TV is not connecting to my phone

Last Update date : Nov 19. 2021

Mirroring your mobile phone or tablet's screen to your TV requires that both sides are capable of making the connection and are compatible. The below article covers common reasons for lack of connection.

Not quite what you're looking for? See more about screen mirroring options and steps here.

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone

2 Is screen mirroring enabled on your TV?

Even when your TV has a screen mirroring feature and capable of connecting, most TVs will need you to turn on the function in order to connect.
The screen mirroring feature on your Samsung TV can be found either
1. By pressing the Source button on your remote and selecting Screen mirroring OR
2. By pressing Menu->Network->Screen Mirroring

If you are trying to connect your Samsung device to a non-Samsung TV, you will need to check with that manufacturer whether the TV supports screen mirroring.

3 Are your devices on the same Wi-Fi network and is your TV connected to that network?

Your TV will need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your tablet or phone.

You can connect your TV to your wireless network by following the below steps:

1. Press the Menu button

2. Network

3. Network Type

4. Wireless

Note: if your TV connection is wired, you may need to purchase a wireless adaptor and plug this into the USB port on your TV.

5. Network Setup

6. Select a Network

7. Select your network from the list

8. Enter the password

4 Is your phone or tablet compatible with the TV?

Samsung phones, tablets, and smart TVs are capable of picking up connections from other devices but not all devices are compatible with Samsung.

If both your Samsung device and the other device are smart devices and internet-enabled, you may be able to use a third-party app to connect the two.

Alternatively, you may be able to connect via an HDMI cable or use an Allshare Cast to connect HDMI enabled TVs and monitors.

You can also use a streaming device like an Amazon Firestick or Google Chromecast which can act as a go-between between two different devices.

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Let’s be honest:

Screen mirroring isn’t as streamlined as it should be, and there are several factors behind that fact. As there are many reasons why it’s not a perfect system, there are many ways in which you can fix issues with screen mirroring when it’s not working.

These methods for fixing Screen mirroring problems when it’s not working may not work the same on all devices. but there’s nothing to lose by trying them out! I even rooted my smartphone once to make it work, and it still didn’t.

Personally, it’s a hit-and-miss technology that sometimes works for me while at other times, I have had to fiddle around to make it work. But most of the time, it either works straight out of the gate or it doesn’t work at all. Nevertheless, I’ll show you how to fix screen mirroring problems!

Most read:

  • How To Android Mirror Cast
  • The 7 Best Screen Mirroring Apps on Android
  • 4 easy methods to fix random Android screen flickering

What is Screen Mirroring?

Screen mirroring is a technology that allows you to mirror your smartphone’s screen on a television. What you do on your phone will be reflected directly onto the bigger screen, meaning you can watch content from your phone on a much larger display.

Isn’t that amazing?

When it works, screen mirroring is a great way to enjoy content from your mobile device and share it with others in the room as well. However, as you might’ve guessed, with all the different types of Android smartphones and all the different types of TVs, there are going to be bugs and lots of interface problems that you’ll need to fix.

So what can you do about it?

Let’s address the most common issues and begin a guide on how to fix screen mirroring when it’s not working.

Related:

  • Android Mirror Cast
  • How to Chromecast Netflix (Step-by-Step Guide)
  • Cast your screen from Android to TV (without Chromecast)

Following are the most common screen mirroring problems and their fixes.

  1. Phone compatibility problems
  2. TV compatibility problems
  3. TV not showing up as an option
  4. Screen mirroring stuck on connecting
  5. Nothing works

1. Phone Compatibility Problems

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone
Phone compatibility problems-Screen Mirroring Problems

Screen mirroring is not available on every Android smartphone. Sure, you can just as easily use a 3rd party app and other workarounds to make it work, but natively screen Mirroring support is not available on all Android smartphones.

You need to make sure that your device supports the screen mirroring technology. You can do that by searching online or reading your smartphone’s manual.

I recommend that you do a simple Google search for basic information. If your smartphone is not compatible with this technology or doesn’t come with it, don’t worry.

There are several ways you can display your smartphone’s content on a bigger screen, and we’ll discuss them further.


2. TV Compatibility Problems

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone
TV compatibility problems-Screen Mirroring Problems

Screen mirroring requires a TV as much as it does a smartphone, and your TV must support the technology as well. Most smart TVs coming out these days have screen mirroring capabilities baked right into them.

However, some of the older TVs do not have this feature. Thankfully, there are specific ways you can still make the old TVs work with screen mirroring, and that is by using an external device to connect with your smartphone.

If you have a TV with an HDMI port, you are in luck because at a small cost, you can make it work by getting a Chromecast or any 3rd party mirror casting dongle.


3. TV Not Showing up as an Option

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone
TV not showing up as an option-Screen Mirroring Problems

If your smartphone, tablet, and TV are compatible, but your TV is not showing up on your smartphone, then there are several factors at play.

Some TVs don’t have the screen mirroring option turned on by default. Depending on the type of TV, you may need to navigate to the settings and turn on the screen mirroring capabilities.

Many televisions come with a remote that has a dedicated screen mirroring button, and you need to press it to activate screen mirroring as well.

You may also need to reset the network by turning your TV, router, and your smartphone off and on. As screen mirroring relies on Wi-Fi, sometimes restarting it can resolve connectivity issues.


4. Screen Mirroring Stuck on Connecting

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone
Screen mirroring stuck on connecting-Screen Mirroring Problems

Many people have reported that their smartphones are stuck at “Connecting” when pairing up with their TV. We have here a few solutions below that you can try to solve this problem.

Solution:

  • Restart the smartphone’s Wi-Fi and see if the connection is successful.
  • Turn off the TV entirely and remove its power cord from the socket as well. Wait a few minutes and turn it back on.
  • Decrease the distance between your phone and the TV, take it up close.
  • Try using a 3rd party mirror casting app rather than the one that comes with your phone.

5. Nothing Works

Why my TV is not connecting to my phone
Use Chromecast when nothing works-Screen Mirroring Problems

There is a chance that none of the solutions we listed above have worked, and in all honesty, there is a huge chance of that happening. Some TVs don’t play well with certain brands, and usually, if you are using an LG phone, an LG TV would work well with it.

The same goes for other brands as well, Sony, Samsung, and even Mi work best with their same-brand TVs. Thankfully you can get 3rd party Mirroring dongles that makes everything easier.

We highly recommend using Chromecast as it works perfectly with almost every Android device and only requires an HDMI port on your TV. You don’t even need to have a Smart TV to enjoy screen mirroring on your smartphone.


Frequently Asked Questions on Screen Mirroring Problems

How does screen mirroring work?

Screen mirroring lets you display the content of your phone’s screen on another screen that could be a monitor or TV.

What’s the difference between screencasting and mirroring?

Although both are similar technology, mirroring sends data continuously to the monitor for display. Screencasting, on the other hand, allows your monitor to download all the data so that you can continue using the monitor without your phone.

Is it possible to do screen mirroring with Bluetooth?

Unfortunately, no. Bluetooth can only send small amounts of data at a time, and that isn’t enough to mirror your screen.

Why can’t I mirror my phone to my TV?

The reason why your TV doesn’t mirror your phone can be because your phone may need permission from the TV to mirror. All you can do is, restart your phone and your TV and try connecting again. This is one easy fix to screen mirroring not working.

Why is my smart view not finding my TV?

If your smart view is not responding, you can restart and reboot your device. This can be a quick fix to your issue.


Fix Screen Mirroring Problems!

There are countless reasons why it can be a challenge to fix screen mirroring problems, and unfortunately, the solutions are limited. Thanks to thousands of different smartphones and TVs, one cannot be sure there won’t be compatibility issues when it comes to screen mirroring.

And that’s not all–sometimes an Android update can break the feature as well, and especially the Lollipop update has been notorious for breaking screen mirroring on some smartphones. There can be many reasons why screen mirroring is not working.

Hopefully, the solutions I suggested helped you fix your screen mirroring problem (if it can actually be fixed.) If you have questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments section below!

Suggested reads:

  • How to Mirror Samsung Galaxy Phone Screen on Television
  • How to troubleshoot Vizio screen mirroring on Android
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 Screen Mirroring Guide, Tips and Tricks

Pricilla is an ambivert who loves to explore her thoughts and the nuances of Android backups and emulators. When she's not busy being an Android troubleshooter, she can be found singing or baking to while away her time. Besides smartphones, Pricilla is also a gaming console enthusiast.

Why does my TV not connect to my phone?

The reason why your TV doesn't mirror your phone can be because your phone may need permission from the TV to mirror. All you can do is, restart your phone and your TV and try connecting again. This is one easy fix to screen mirroring not working.

Why can't I cast to my TV from my phone?

Connect your phone to a WiFi network. The mobile device, tablet or computer you are using to cast must be on the same WiFi network as your Chromecast. You must be running the latest version of the Chromecast-enabled app. You can always double check that you are on the latest version by visiting the Google Play Store.