Cast VLC From Laptop to TV: 2026 Guide
Overview
Casting VLC from your laptop to your TV is still pretty simple in 2026. VLC has a built-in Renderer that lets you send video and audio straight to your TV or other devices. Chromecast is still the most popular way to do this, and support for it got even better in 2025 and 2026, so it works more reliably on different devices now. You can cast VLC from your laptop to your TV using Chromecast, DLNA, or AirPlay. It only depends on what your devices support and steps are mostly the same as before (but the renderer keeps getting small improvements).
Chromecast and Other Rendering Options
Chromecast remains the easiest way to cast VLC to a TV. Just make sure your laptop and Chromecast TV are on the same Wi-Fi. Open VLC, go to Playback, pick Renderer, and choose your Chromecast from the list. If you don't see it, hit Scan to look for devices. Once you pick it, VLC will play your video on the TV. You can still use your laptop to pause, play, or change the volume. VLC also works with DLNA devices and, in some setups, with AirPlay receivers. Chromecast usually gives the smoothest experience on most TVs. DLNA also works well with a lot of media players and some smart TVs.
DLNA
DLNA is another way to cast from VLC. Just open VLC, go to Playback, then Renderer, and pick your DLNA device. This lets you play videos, music, or photos wirelessly, so you don't need an HDMI cable.
AirPlay
But AirPlay can be a little unpredictable. While it works in VLC it depends on your device and setup. Sometimes, direct AirPlay casting just will not work and if that happens, try screen mirroring or another casting method. For Apple users AirPlay in VLC is still being improved. But if it is not working, the best is also to use your device’s screen mirroring or your TV’s built-in AirPlay for now.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Make sure VLC is up to date, since the Chromecast renderer keeps getting better every year. If you don't see any devices, try Scan again and double-check that both your laptop and TV are on the same network.
The message ‘Casting this video requires conversion’ most often means a codec or compatibility issue. Sometimes VLC will convert the file for you, but updating VLC or changing the file's codec can help. Or just try a different video that works better with Chromecast. Chromecast got more reliable in 2025 thanks to updates. One thing developers added was a fix to turn off HEVC streaming on older Chromecast devices, as a result things now work better. If you have an older Chromecast, make sure VLC is updated and use this fix.
If VLC can't find your Chromecast, you can use Chrome's tab casting or cast your whole screen from your computer or phone. These are good backup options if VLC's renderer isn't working.
If wireless casting isn't working, plugging in with an HDMI cable is always a solid backup. This way, you get smooth playback and it's usually the most reliable for watching on a big screen.
Alternatives and Ongoing Development
Another feature of Chrome’s Cast is an easy way to stream local files from VLC or any other apps to your TV. The VLC team continues to improve Chromecast and other casting options. As always, for the latest updates and fixes you can visit VideoLAN or VLC GitLab pages.