Screen mirroring lets you project videos, presentations, pictures, and meetings from your phone to a large-screen device. The feature is available on Samsung Galaxy phones, Samsung tablets, and other Android phones. For it to work, both devices must be compatible, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and have the necessary apps. Even with these factors in check, you may notice muted sound or screens that don’t connect properly. The culprit is usually software-related, and these issues are common. The troubleshooting tips in this guide help you fix these issues.
Why is screen mirroring not working on my Samsung TV?
Several factors can affect the screen mirroring function on your Samsung TV and phone. These include incompatibility, a poor Wi-Fi connection, an active battery-saver mode, or outdated software. We start with the basics and progress to advanced fixes for screen mirroring issues on your Samsung TV.
Check device compatibility
You need a Samsung TV with AirPlay 2 built-in to mirror your iPhone screen to your Samsung smart TV. Samsung models from 2018 onward (including Neo QLED, Frame TVs, and monitor models like the M7 and M8) support AirPlay by default. Older Samsung TVs may not support screen mirroring from your iPhone or Galaxy phone.
Restart your phone and Samsung TV
Caches and bugs may cause conflicts between your Samsung TV and phone and disrupt the mirroring process. Turn off your Android or iPhone to reset its settings, then turn it back on. Do the same for your TV. Long press the standby or power button on the remote for a few seconds. Release it when the screen turns black, and then press the button again to turn it on.
After rebooting your Samsung TV and phone, mirror your phone screen to the TV again. If you are trying to mirror your laptop screen, reboot it from the power menu.
Connect to the same Wi-Fi network
Screen mirroring requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If not, they can’t establish a connection and transfer data. Follow these steps to check your connection.
Connect your Samsung TV to a reliable network
- Turn on your Samsung TV and press the Home button on the TV remote.
- Go to Settings and select Network.
- Open Network Settings.
- Select Wireless and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Connect your Android or iPhone to a reliable network
- On your Android phone, swipe down on the home screen to open the Quick settings menu. Then, long press the Wi-Fi icon and connect to the same network as your TV.
- On your iPhone, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
- Tap the Wi-Fi icon and connect to the same network as your TV. Connect to a 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency for a strong signal.
Check the distance between your phone and the Samsung TV screen
The screen mirroring feature may not work when you go beyond a specific distance, so don’t take your phone or laptop too far away from the smart TV. Keep them within 10 meters (33 feet) of each other for a stronger connection. Also, remove physical objects between your TV and phone. Such objects may block the signal during screen mirroring.
Deactivate Bluetooth on your phone
Screen mirroring requires a stable Wi-Fi connection. The Bluetooth connection on your phone and smart TV may interfere with screen mirroring. Turn it off on your phone and Samsung TV, and then try again. Android users can turn off Bluetooth from the Quick settings menu. iPhone users can turn it off from the Control Center.
Turn off power saving mode completely
An active battery saver mode limits or turns off background activity, some visual effects, features, and network connections. As a result, screen mirroring may not work on your Samsung TV. Connect your phone to a power adapter and turn off battery saver mode using the steps below.
How to turn off power saving mode on Android phones
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Scroll down to Battery and device care.
- Select Battery and turn off the toggle beside Power saving.
How to turn off power saving mode on an iPhone
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Turn off Low Power Mode.
Troubleshoot network connection on Samsung TV
Screen mirroring doesn’t work when your Samsung TV has network connection issues. Use the built-in Device Care setting to take care of network issues. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Go to your Samsung TV’s Settings (check the steps above).
- Select Device Care.
- Run the Smart Hub Connection Test from the following menu.
The Smart Hub Connection Test runs Gateway, DNS, and ISP blocking tests. It also troubleshoots Wi-Fi problems on your Samsung TV. If your Android or iPhone device has network issues,
reset its network settings
.
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Turn off Auto Protection Time
Samsung TVs enter screen saver mode after two hours of inactivity, overriding the mirrored content. Here’s how to turn off the setting:
- Open Settings on your Samsung TV (refer to the steps above).
- Select All Settings.
- Select General, then choose System Manager.
- Deactivate Auto Protection Time.
Turn on AirPlay on Samsung TV
The TV doesn’t appear under Screen Mirroring on your iPhone when you turn off AirPlay on your Samsung TV. Here’s how to activate it:
- Open Settings on your Samsung TV (refer to the steps above).
- Select All Settings.
- Go to the General menu.
- Select Apple AirPlay Settings.
- Turn on AirPlay from the following menu.
- Open your iPhone’s Control Center and select Screen Mirroring.
- Your Samsung TV appears on the list.
Update the software on your TV and phone
Outdated software on your TV or phone may interfere with the screen mirroring function. Update your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone to the latest version and follow the steps below to install pending updates on your Samsung TV.
How to update your Samsung TV software
- Open All Settings on your Samsung TV (refer to the steps above).
- Select Support and open Software Update.
- Download and install the latest Tizen OS on your TV.
How to update your phone’s software
- Open the Settings menu on your phone.
- Scroll down and select Software update.
- Tap Download and install. Your phone looks for new software and prompts you to install it if available.
Use third-party screen mirroring apps
If the built-in screen mirroring function still doesn’t work, use a third-party alternative to enjoy your phone’s content on a large display. Look for free apps in your phone’s app store, and check user reviews to avoid downloading malicious apps. Get the same app on your TV to have a compatible connection between both devices. After installing it, follow the on-screen instructions to start mirroring.
Use an HDMI connection on your laptop
An HDMI cable provides a direct and stable connection between your device and the TV. Ditch the wireless connection and opt for it to view content slides on the big screen. After all, nothing beats the reliability of a wired connection. The latest Samsung TVs come with four HDMI ports. Most laptops have at least one. Use an adapter if your Mac or Windows laptop doesn’t have any.
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Reflect small things on a bigger screen
The above tips help you iron out common issues so that you can cast your favorite content onto your Samsung TV. If you don’t succeed, there are always alternatives. If you have streaming devices and don’t want to try third-party apps, use them for seamless casting and access additional features from app support to 4K streaming.
