An HDMI port on a Windows 10 PC is usually an output for sending the computer’s picture to a TV or monitor. It is not normally an HDMI input that can display another device on the laptop screen.
How to do it
- Connect an HDMI cable from the PC’s HDMI output to the TV or monitor input.
- Use the TV or monitor’s Input/Source control to select the matching HDMI port.
- On the PC, press Windows+P and choose Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only.
- Open Settings > System > Display if you need to arrange screens, change resolution, or choose the primary display.
- If there is no picture, reseat the cable, try another HDMI input/cable, and update the graphics driver from the PC or GPU manufacturer.
If you want HDMI input instead
Most laptops cannot turn their HDMI output into an input. To view a game console, camera, or another computer in Windows, use a compatible USB capture device and its software. A capture device adds some latency, so it may not be ideal as the primary display for fast games.
What to know
Windows 10 reached end of ordinary support in 2025. The HDMI principles still apply, but a supported Windows version is preferable for security and current drivers.
Practical details
If Windows detects the external display but the TV says no signal, select a resolution and refresh rate the display supports. HDMI can carry audio as well; choose the TV/monitor under Settings > System > Sound if you want sound sent through HDMI. Docking stations and USB-C adapters can introduce another compatibility layer.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.