How To Fix Screen Share Not Working on a Windows PC

Using the Windows screen share feature, you can turn your living room into a movie theatre by projecting your PC monitor onto a bigger screen. Or acquire additional screen real estate by sharing your monitor with another display.

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

Read on for troubleshooting tips on your Windows PC when screen sharing doesn’t work.

Try Rebooting Windows

The problem could be down to a minor glitch in Windows. Therefore, it is better to start with a reboot. A reboot typically corrects glitches and many other unseen minor issues that could be the cause.

Here is the correct way to reboot your PC:

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

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

Ensure Wireless Display Is Enabled

The “Wireless Display” feature should be enabled to use the screen sharing feature. This 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 “Apps,” then “Optional features” from the right.
   
   
3. Click the “See optional feature history” under the “Add a feature” tab at the top.
   
   
4. You can either search for a wireless display or choose the “Wireless Display” feature towards the bottom.
   
   

Now try to project your screen again.

Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Using the built-in troubleshooter is another easy way to handle the most common Windows issues yourself. It’s very straightforward to use as a troubleshooter does it all. Here’s how to start:

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 start the troubleshooter, so sit back and relax while the troubleshooter detects issues with your hardware and devices and fixes them.
4. Now restart your PC to see whether the issue is fixed.

Ensure Your PC Supports Screen Mirroring

If your Windows PC is slightly older, there is a chance that it might not support “Screencast ” Follow these steps to see whether 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 following screen, beneath “Scale & layout,” press the “Multiple displays” option.
   
4. Check whether the “Connect to a wireless display” option is there.
   
   

Ensure You’re Connected to the Same Wi-Fi

If you want to cast your Windows PC screen to your TV screen, both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Access the Wi-Fi settings for both devices to verify it’s the same. Here’s a quick way to check the network connection details of your PC in Windows:

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

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

Ensure the Graphics Driver Is Up-to-Date

An outdated or faulty graphics driver could also be to blame. 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 graphic driver and right-click on it.
   
5. Choose “Update driver” from the context menu.
   
6. Press the “Search automatically for drivers” option.
   
7. Windows will now search for new drivers and automatically install any available updates.
   
8. Once that’s done, restart your PC for the changes to be applied.

Set Up Screencast Again

Before setting up the feature again, ensure that your Windows PC and the receiver device are Bluetooth enabled. Plus, both devices need to support the Miracast technology. Here are the steps to start screen sharing:

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

Hopefully, this time screen sharing will be successful. If not, consider contacting Microsoft support for further advice and assistance.

Second Monitor for Free

For a free second monitor or to enjoy your favorite movie on a larger screen, Screencast is the way forward, but sometimes it doesn’t work, and there could be many reasons why. The first port of call would be to restart your PC to clear any glitches. The troubleshooter is also excellent for finding and resolving issues while you relax. When the common fixes don’t work, reaching out to Microsoft support for advice is also an option.

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