How to Fix Screen Sharing Not Working on Windows PC

With Windows screen sharing, you can turn your living room into a movie theater by projecting your PC monitor onto a larger screen. Or gain additional screen space by sharing your monitor with another display.

The Screencast feature should work when both devices support Miracast technology and are connected to Bluetooth on the same network. However, sometimes there are problems.

Continue reading for tips to troubleshoot your Windows PC when screen sharing isn’t working.

Try restarting Windows

The problem could be due to a small bug in Windows. Therefore, it is better to start by rebooting. A restart usually fixes crashes and many other minor unseen problems that could be the cause.

This is the correct way to restart your PC:

1. Open the “Start” menu.
   
2. Click the power icon and select the “Restart” option.
   

Once your computer restarts, try sharing it again and hopefully it should work. Otherwise, continue working on these fixes.

Make sure wireless display is enabled

The “Wireless Display” feature must be enabled to use the screen sharing feature. It may come pre-installed or you may need to install it manually. Here are the steps:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + I” to launch “Settings”.
   
2. On the left, choose “Applications” and then “Optional Features” on the right.
   
   
3. Click “View Optional Feature History” in the “Add a Feature” tab at the top.

   

4. You can search for a wireless display or choose the “Wireless Display” function at the bottom.
   
   

Now try projecting your screen again.

Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Using the built-in troubleshooter is another easy way to fix the most common Windows problems yourself. It is very easy to use, since one troubleshooter does everything. Here’s how to get started:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + R” to launch “Run”.
   
2. Enter the following command, then press “Enter:”
   msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
   
3. Click “Next” in the new window that opens.
   
   This will launch the troubleshooter, so sit back and relax while the troubleshooter detects problems with your hardware and devices and fixes them.
4. Now restart your PC to see if the problem is fixed.

Make sure your PC supports Screen Mirroring

If your Windows PC is a little older, there is a chance that it may not support “Screencast”. Follow these steps to see if your computer supports the feature or not:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + I” to launch “Settings”.
   
2. Click on the “Display” option.
   
3. On the next screen, under “Scale and Layout,” tap the “Multiple Displays” option.
   
4. Check if the “Connect to a wireless display” option is there.
   

Make sure you are connected to the same Wi-Fi

If you want to cast your Windows PC screen to your TV screen, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Go to the Wi-Fi settings for both devices to verify that they are the same. Below is a quick way to check your PC’s network connection details in Windows:

1. Access the “Start” menu.
   
2. Enter a search for “Settings” and then click on it.
   
3. Click “Network and Internet.”
   

Your network settings will be displayed. Now check the device you want to project your screen to to see if the details match.

Make sure your graphics driver is up to date

An outdated or faulty graphics driver could also be the culprit. Follow these steps to confirm that you have the latest graphics driver installed:

1. Go to the “Start” menu.
   
2. Enter a search for “Device Manager.”
   
3. Click the “Display adapters” section to expand it.
   
4. Locate your graphics driver and right click on it.
   
5. Choose “Update Driver” from the context menu.
   
6. Press the “Search for drivers automatically” option.
   
7. Windows will now check for new drivers and automatically install any available updates.
   
8. Once this is done, restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Set up Screencast again

Before setting up the feature again, make sure your Windows PC and the receiving device are Bluetooth enabled. Additionally, both devices must support Miracast technology. Here are the steps to start screen sharing:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + I” to open “Settings”.
   
2. Click the “Bluetooth and other devices” option on the left.
   
3. Select the “Add Bluetooth or other device” button in the main window.
   
4. Of the three options, choose “Display or wireless base.”
   
5. Once the device appears, click on it.

Hopefully, this time screen sharing will be a success. If not, consider contacting Microsoft Support for more tips and help.

Second monitor free

To get a free second monitor or enjoy your favorite movie on a bigger screen, Screencast is the way to go, but sometimes it doesn’t work and there can be many reasons. The first step to take would be to restart your PC to fix any technical issues. The problem solver is also great for finding and solving problems while you relax. When common solutions don’t work, it’s also an option to ask Microsoft support for advice.

Were you able to share your screen? Tell us in the comments section below how you made it work.