Screen mirroring or casting not working? Check compatibility, Wi-Fi networks, television permissions, AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast and device settings before buying new equipment.

Screen mirroring or casting that suddenly stops working does not automatically mean the television, phone or Wi-Fi router is faulty. The two devices may be using different wireless-sharing systems, connected to different networks, blocked by a permission setting or waiting for approval on the television.

Work through the following checks in order. Start by identifying the connection method because AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast, Smart View and app-based casting are related but not interchangeable.

First, identify what you are trying to do

The words casting and screen mirroring are often used as if they mean the same thing, but the connection can work differently.

App casting: you select the Cast or AirPlay button inside a supported application. The television or streaming device normally plays the selected content while the phone acts as a controller.
Screen mirroring: the television attempts to show most or all of the phone, tablet or computer screen in real time.
AirPlay: Apple's system for streaming supported content or mirroring an iPhone, iPad or Mac to compatible equipment.
Google Cast: used by Chromecast, Google TV Streamer and televisions or devices with Google Cast capability.
Miracast: a wireless-display standard used by many Windows computers and some Android devices and televisions.
Smart View: Samsung's sharing control on compatible Galaxy devices, commonly used for screen mirroring to compatible televisions.

A television that accepts Google Cast may not accept full-screen AirPlay mirroring. An iPhone does not natively mirror through Miracast, and an Android phone does not automatically support every television's proprietary mirroring system. Compatibility must exist at both ends.

Check that both products support the same method

Look up the exact television or streaming-device model and the exact phone, tablet or computer. Confirm the supported method rather than assuming every smart television can receive every type of wireless display.

Common combinations include:

An iPhone, iPad or Mac using AirPlay with an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart television.
An Android phone or supported application using Google Cast with a Chromecast, Google TV Streamer or Cast-compatible television.
A compatible Samsung Galaxy device using Smart View with a supported television.
A Windows computer using Miracast with a compatible wireless display, television or adapter.

Feature support can vary within the same television brand and model range. Check the model's Australian product page, manual or built-in help guide.

Try the correct control

Use the control intended for the connection:

For an iPhone or iPad, use Screen Mirroring in Control Centre for full-screen mirroring or the AirPlay control inside a compatible application.
For a Cast-enabled application, use its Cast button rather than the phone's general screen-sharing menu.
For a compatible Galaxy phone, open Smart View from the Quick panel.
For Windows 11, use Windows key + K to search for a wireless display.

If an application does not show a Cast or AirPlay control, it may not support that method, the required permission may be disabled or no compatible receiver may be discoverable.

Make sure the television is ready to receive

Some televisions are discoverable automatically. Others require you to enable or open a feature such as:

AirPlay.
Screen Mirroring.
Screen Share.
Wireless Display.
Google Cast.
Smart View.
Device Connect Manager.
External Device Connection.

Open the television's Home, Inputs, Connections or Network menu and check the instructions for its exact model. If AirPlay was turned off on the television, an iPhone may not find it even though both products are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Check for an approval message on the television

The television may display a request asking whether to allow, accept or block the device. Use the television remote to approve it.

If the device was accidentally blocked earlier, open the television's connection, external-device or device-management settings and remove it from the denied list. Menu names vary by brand and model.

Only approve devices you recognise. If an unexpected mirroring request appears, reject it and review the television's connection-security settings.

Connect both devices to the same home network

AirPlay and app-based casting commonly require the sending device and receiver to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Open the network settings on the phone, tablet or computer and note the connected network name.
Open the television or streaming device's network settings.
Confirm that both show the same home network.
Disconnect and reconnect either device if it has joined the wrong network.

Similar network names can cause confusion. A main network and guest network may have nearly identical names while still being separated from each other.

Do 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz need to match?

Many modern routers allow devices on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz to communicate when both bands belong to the same local network. However, some routers, mesh systems or older casting products handle discovery poorly across bands.

If the receiver does not appear:

Temporarily connect both products to the same band for testing.
Check whether separate network names are used for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Avoid changing advanced router settings until simpler checks are complete.

Google advises using the same Wi-Fi network channel when improving Android screen-casting performance. Once the connection works, you can test whether your normal band arrangement remains reliable.

Avoid the guest network

Guest Wi-Fi commonly isolates connected devices so visitors cannot access other products in the home. Both devices may have internet access but remain unable to discover each other.

Connect the television and phone or computer to the main trusted home network. If you intentionally use separate networks, VLANs or access-point isolation, the router must permit the discovery and local traffic required by the chosen casting system.

Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on

Keep Wi-Fi enabled on the sending device even if it has a strong mobile-data connection. Some discovery and setup processes may also use Bluetooth.

Turn Wi-Fi off on the phone, tablet or computer.
Wait several seconds.
Turn Wi-Fi on and reconnect to the correct network.
Confirm Bluetooth is enabled if the manufacturer's setup instructions require it.
Search for the television again.

Do not connect to an unfamiliar public or neighbouring network merely because the receiver appears there.

Check local-network permission on iPhone, iPad and Mac

On supported Apple software, an application may need permission to find devices on the local network. If the Cast button is missing or no receiver appears inside one particular app, check its permission.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and allow access for the affected application if you trust it. Depending on the software version, the app's own Settings page may also show the permission.

Google states that local-network access is required to discover Cast-enabled devices on iOS 14 or later and macOS 15 or later. Reopen the application after changing the permission.

Check AirPlay receiving and restrictions

If AirPlay equipment is compatible but cannot be found:

Confirm AirPlay is enabled on the receiving television, Apple TV or Mac.
Keep the devices turned on, awake and near each other.
Check that both use the same Wi-Fi network.
Enter the on-screen AirPlay code if one appears.
If the receiver is managed in Apple's Home app, check that Home settings are not restricting AirPlay access.

Apple also advises checking the AirPlay receiving setting on compatible iPhones and Macs when they are being used as receivers. Menu names can change with software versions, so follow the current instructions for the product.

Turn off a VPN temporarily

A VPN or security application can prevent local-device discovery or route traffic away from the home network.

Temporarily disconnect the VPN on the sending device and test again. If casting works, check whether the VPN offers a setting such as local-network access, LAN access or allow local devices.

Turn the VPN back on after testing. Do not remove security software permanently without understanding the effect.

Check firewall and managed-network restrictions

A computer firewall, work-device security policy, hotel Wi-Fi or workplace network may block wireless-display discovery or local connections.

On a personal computer, confirm the casting application is allowed through the firewall on the trusted private network.
Do not weaken firewall protection on public networks merely to make casting work.
A work-managed phone or computer may have AirPlay, Cast or wireless display disabled by policy.
Hotel, hospital and public Wi-Fi commonly isolate guests from one another.

If the device is managed by an employer or school, contact its administrator rather than attempting to bypass the restriction.

Restart all three parts of the connection

Restart the sending device, receiving device and home network. A television that appears to turn off may only enter standby, so use a proper power restart where the manufacturer allows it.

Close the affected application.
Restart the phone, tablet or computer.
Turn off the television, Apple TV, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer or wireless-display adapter.
Disconnect the receiver from power for approximately 30 seconds if its instructions allow.
Restart the modem and router if other network checks also show a problem.
Wait for the network and receiver to become fully ready, then test again.

Do not disconnect equipment while it is installing software or firmware.

Move the devices closer while testing

Weak Wi-Fi and wireless interference can cause a receiver to disappear, take a long time to connect or repeatedly disconnect.

Move the phone, tablet or computer closer to the television and router.
Keep the router in the open rather than inside a cabinet.
Move wireless receivers away from dense cabling and large metal objects where practical.
Temporarily reduce heavy downloads and other high-traffic activity.
Test away from cordless-phone bases, microwave ovens and other possible interference sources.

Google advises keeping a Chromecast or Google streaming device close to the router and setup device during connection troubleshooting. Sony also warns that nearby wireless products can interfere with Wi-Fi Direct or screen mirroring.

Update the phone, television, receiver and application

Install available updates for:

The phone, tablet or computer operating system.
The television software.
The Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, Apple TV or wireless-display adapter.
The affected streaming or media application.
The router, using its manufacturer-approved process.

Restart the equipment after updating and confirm that AirPlay, casting or screen mirroring remains enabled.

If the television appears but will not connect

If the receiver is listed but the connection fails:

Cancel the connection attempt.
Check the television for an approval message.
Remove or forget the television from the sending device if that option is available.
Remove the sending device from the television's remembered or connected-device list.
Restart both products.
Pair or connect again and enter any new on-screen code.

Microsoft recommends removing and reconnecting a wireless display when a Windows connection fails. Use the current instructions for your Windows version and display type.

If the Cast button is missing in only one application

When other applications can cast normally, concentrate on the affected app:

Confirm that the app supports casting on that device and account.
Make sure the phone and receiver use the same network.
Check local-network permission.
Force-close and reopen the app.
Sign out and sign in again.
Install the latest app update.
Clear the app cache where supported.
Reinstall the app only after simpler checks fail.

Make sure you know the account login before clearing application data or reinstalling.

If one video will not cast but others do

The particular content may be restricted, temporarily unavailable or encoded in a way the receiver cannot play. Test another program in the same app and the same program on the sending device.

Some applications permit app casting but block full-screen mirroring. Others may require the receiving device's own app, a particular subscription level or a supported region. This is not necessarily a hardware fault.

If you see video on the phone but a black screen on the television

A black television image with sound, controls or menus still visible can indicate content-protection restrictions rather than a failed wireless connection.

Use the application's own Cast or AirPlay control instead of mirroring the entire screen.
Open the service's official app directly on the television or streaming device.
Check that the app, receiver and subscription support the content.
Do not use unofficial applications that claim to bypass copy protection.

If your own photos and device menus mirror correctly but protected video becomes black, the network connection is probably working.

If there is picture but no sound

Raise the volume on the television or audio system.
Check that neither the sending device nor receiver is muted.
Confirm the television is using the intended speakers or soundbar.
Disconnect Bluetooth headphones or speakers that may still be receiving the audio.
Test another app and ordinary device audio.

Some screen-sharing methods or applications do not transmit every audio format. If only one app is silent, check its support information before resetting the television.

If the picture is delayed, jerky or low quality

Full-screen mirroring must encode and transmit the device's display continuously, so it can be less smooth than casting content directly from a supported application.

Use the app's Cast or AirPlay button where available.
Move the devices closer to the router.
Pause large downloads and uploads.
Test both devices on a less congested Wi-Fi band.
Close unnecessary applications on the phone or computer.
Use a wired HDMI connection when low delay is important.

Wireless mirroring may not be suitable for competitive gaming, precision computer work or other tasks that require very low latency.

Windows: check Miracast support

A Windows computer and the receiving display or adapter must both support Miracast for the normal wireless-display connection.

If Windows key + K does not find the display:

Confirm that the television or adapter supports Miracast and is ready to receive.
Turn Wi-Fi on, even if the computer also uses Ethernet.
Install Windows, graphics and Wi-Fi driver updates from trusted sources.
Restart the computer and receiver.
Remove the remembered wireless display and reconnect it.

Do not download unofficial replacement drivers or so-called casting drivers from random websites. Use Windows Update or the computer and component manufacturers' support pages.

Check an external receiver's power and HDMI input

If you use a Chromecast, Apple TV, Google TV Streamer or wireless-display adapter:

Confirm its HDMI plug is fully inserted.
Select the correct HDMI input on the television.
Confirm the receiver has reliable power.
Use its supplied power equipment where recommended.
Check whether its normal home screen or status image appears.

If the television shows No Signal, solve the receiver's power or HDMI problem before troubleshooting wireless discovery.

Test another sending device and another receiver

Comparison testing can narrow down the fault:

If two phones cannot find the same television, check the television, receiver and network.
If one phone fails with several compatible receivers, check that phone's software, permissions and network settings.
If one application fails but others work, check the application and content.
If AirPlay works but Miracast does not, confirm Miracast compatibility rather than assuming all mirroring should behave identically.

Use devices you own or have permission to connect. Remove remembered access afterwards if you borrow equipment for testing.

Try a short wired connection

A compatible HDMI adapter or direct HDMI cable can be a useful test and a reliable alternative when wireless performance is poor.

Before buying an adapter, confirm:

The phone, tablet or computer supports video output through that connection.
The adapter supports the required device and operating system.
The television has a suitable HDMI input.
The application permits video through the wired output.
The cable and adapter support the required resolution and copy protection.

A cheap USB-C-to-HDMI adapter will not produce video from a device whose USB-C port does not support display output.

Do not factory-reset everything too early

A television or streaming-device reset can remove Wi-Fi details, application sign-ins, picture settings, device approvals and accessibility settings. A router reset can remove internet, telephone and security configuration.

Use a factory reset only after checking:

Compatible sharing methods.
The correct television mode or input.
The same home network.
Guest-network isolation.
Local-network permission, VPN and firewall settings.
Approval and blocked-device lists.
Restarts and software updates.
Another app, sending device or receiver.

Record important settings and login details first, then follow the manufacturer's instructions for the exact model.

When new equipment may actually be needed

A separate receiver, adapter or newer device may be reasonable when:

The television does not support the sharing system used by your phone or computer.
The built-in casting feature is no longer supported by current applications.
The television's wireless hardware has been confirmed faulty.
You require smoother performance or lower delay than wireless mirroring can provide.
A work or travel setup needs a dependable wired connection.

Choose equipment for the system you actually use—AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast or wired HDMI—rather than buying a generic product labelled only as a screen-mirroring adapter.

When to contact support

Contact the television, phone, computer or receiver manufacturer when:

A supported feature has disappeared from the menu after an update.
The television never becomes discoverable to more than one compatible device.
The receiver repeatedly restarts, freezes or drops its network connection.
AirPlay, Cast or Miracast fails after the official model-specific reset procedure.
The external receiver shows no picture despite correct power, HDMI input and cable tests.
The wireless connection works only briefly even with the devices near the router.

Do not pay for a repair or replacement before checking the purchase date, manufacturer warranty, retailer support and applicable Australian consumer guarantees.

What to record before contacting support

The exact television and receiving-device model numbers.
The phone, tablet or computer model and software version.
Whether you are using AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast, Smart View or another method.
The affected application's name and version.
Whether the receiver appears in the device list.
Any error message or on-screen code.
Whether both devices use the same main Wi-Fi network.
Whether guest Wi-Fi, a VPN or a managed network is involved.
Whether local-network permission is enabled.
Whether another app, sending device or receiver works.
Whether software updates and full restarts were completed.
Whether the failure affects all content or only protected video.

Photograph the error and the television's connection settings. This gives support staff much more useful evidence than saying only that casting does not work.

The bottom line

Screen mirroring and casting failures are most often caused by incompatible sharing methods, different or isolated Wi-Fi networks, a disabled receiver, a missed approval request, blocked local-network access, VPN interference or outdated software.

First confirm whether you need AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast, Smart View or app casting and make sure both products support it. Put both devices on the same main home network, enable the receiver on the television, approve the connection and check the affected application's local-network permission.

If it still fails, restart the phone or computer, television or receiver and router, move the devices closer, update their software and test another app and device. If ordinary menus and photos mirror but one protected video produces a black screen, use the service's own television app or supported casting control.

Do not buy a new television, router or wireless adapter until you have confirmed that the existing products are genuinely incompatible or faulty.

Useful official resources

Information and official support references checked 12 August 2026. Compatibility, menu names, permissions and connection methods vary between television, phone, computer, router and streaming-device models. Follow the instructions for your exact equipment.

Screen Mirroring or Casting Not Working: What to Check First