Your LG TV should show up in your screen mirroring list automatically. When it does not, it is usually due to one of a few simple things. This guide walks you through exactly what to check and how to fix it, so you can get back to watching on the big screen without the frustration.
Check these things before you start mirroring
Before diving into settings, run through a quick checklist. Most LG screen mirroring problems come down to one of these basics, and catching them early saves you a lot of time.
- Your LG TV is powered on and not in standby mode
- Your phone or tablet is not in airplane mode
- Your TV and your device are connected to the same WiFi network
- You are using a 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi network, not a mobile hotspot
- Your screen mirroring app for LG TV is up to date
If everything looks fine on this list, move on to the steps below. If something was off, fix it first and then try mirroring again before going further.
Enable Screen Share on your LG TV
LG TVs have a built-in feature called Screen Share that needs to be active before your TV will appear in any mirroring list. If this setting is turned off, your device simply cannot detect the TV, no matter what you do on your phone.
- Press the Home button on your LG remote to open the main menu
- Navigate to Settings (the gear icon in the top right corner)
- Select All Settings, then go to Connection
- Find Screen Share and make sure it is toggled On
Once Screen Share is enabled, your LG TV will start broadcasting its availability on the network. Go back to your mirroring app and check whether the TV now appears in the device list. On many LG models, this alone solves the problem.
Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network
This is the most common reason an LG TV does not show up during LG screen mirroring setup. Your phone and your TV need to be on the exact same WiFi network, not just the same router. Many routers broadcast two separate networks, often labeled something like “HomeNetwork” and “HomeNetwork_5G,” and if your phone is on one while your TV is on the other, they cannot find each other.
- On your phone, go to Settings and open WiFi
- Note the exact network name your phone is connected to
- On your LG TV, go to Settings, then Network, and check the connected network name
- If they are different, switch one of the devices to match the other
After switching to the same network, give both devices about 30 seconds to settle. Then open your mirroring app again and scan for devices. Your LG TV should now appear in the list.
Refresh the connection to force your LG TV to appear
Sometimes the TV is on the right network and Screen Share is enabled, but the connection still needs a nudge. A quick refresh of both devices usually does the trick.
- Close your screen mirroring app completely on your phone
- Turn your LG TV off using the remote, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
- Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in
- Once the router reconnects, reopen your mirroring app and scan for devices again
A full restart of all three components, your phone app, your TV, and your router, clears out any stale connection data. After this refresh, most users find their LG TV appears in the list within a few seconds of opening the app.
Fix LG TV still not showing up after troubleshooting
If you have worked through every step above and your LG TV is still not appearing, there are a few more things worth checking before giving up.
- Check your TV firmware: Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update on your LG TV. An outdated firmware version can cause connectivity issues with screen mirroring apps.
- Disable your VPN: If your phone has an active VPN, turn it off. VPNs route your traffic through a different network, which prevents your phone from seeing devices on your local WiFi.
- Check your router settings: Some routers have a feature called “AP Isolation” or “Client Isolation” that blocks devices from communicating with each other on the same network. Log into your router settings and make sure this is turned off.
- Try a different WiFi band: If your router lets you choose between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, try connecting both devices to the 2.4GHz band. It has a wider range and tends to be more reliable for screen mirroring discovery.
Work through each of these one at a time, testing your mirroring app after each change. That way you can pinpoint exactly what was causing the problem.
How AirBeamTV helps with LG screen mirroring
We built our LG screen mirroring app to make this process as smooth as possible, whether you are connecting for the first time or troubleshooting a dropped connection. Here is what you get when you use our app:
- Simple setup: Download the app, open it, and start mirroring. No cables, no Apple TV, no extra hardware needed.
- Automatic TV detection: Our app scans your network and finds your LG TV for you, so you do not have to type in IP addresses or fiddle with settings.
- HD quality mirroring: Stream your favourite shows, videos, and photos from your phone or tablet to your LG TV in high definition.
- Works with all major LG Smart TV models: Whether your TV is a few years old or brand new, our app is built to work with the full range of LG Smart TVs.
- Audio included: Your phone audio comes through the TV speakers, so you get the full experience without needing a separate setup.
If you are ready to stop troubleshooting and start watching, download the AirBeamTV screen mirroring app for LG TV and get your screen on the big screen in minutes.
