How To Cast Videos From VLC To ANY Smart TV (Mac & Windows) 2024

You can now cast videos from VLC to your Smart TV with ease, regardless of whether you’re using a Mac or Windows operating system. The VLC renderer feature is all you need to make this possible.

If you’re tired of watching your favorite videos on a small laptop screen, then you’re in luck! It’s very possible to cast to any Smart TV, including Samsung, Vizio, LG, and more. Note: Some models of these TVs brands are not compatible.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of casting your videos from VLC to your Smart TV, and show you what to do when you encounter problems.

See: VLC Media Player: Is it still the Best Video Player?

We’ll also explore other casting methods, such as using a Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, FireStick, or Nvidia Shield TV. Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

To Cast VLC to any Smart TV, you’ll need to locate the Renderer option, which works on both Mac or Windows.
You can locate “Renderer” from the top menu option labeled “Playback” of VLC. Renderer is your only choice for casting VLC to TV.
If your TV doesn’t show up on the list of available devices to cast via renderer, then you’ll need to make sure your Smart TV is connected to the same WiFi or internet Network your Laptop with VLC is on.
If this renderer still doesn’t show your TV to cast to and doesn’t work, then you can alternatively cast VLC to your TV by connecting a chromecast or a streaming device such as Roku or Apple TV – These are all very popular methods to get VLC on your Smart TV.

What to do if vlc isnt casting to smart tv

Related: See how to get VLC on Roku

How to Cast Videos from VLC to your Smart TV (Mac & Windows)

Casting a video such as a show or movie from VLC Media Player to your Smart TV can be a great way to enjoy your favorite content on a larger screen. This method is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems and can be done using the VLC renderer feature.

By following these simple steps, you can easily cast your video from VLC to your Smart TV and enjoy a more immersive viewing experience.

Below is step our step guide on how to cast video from VLC to your Smart TV using the renderer method:

Make sure your Smart TV and the laptop running VLC are connected to the same WiFi network.
Open VLC on your laptop.
Load the video you want to cast to your Smart TV.
Click on the “Playback” option in the top menu of your VLC display.
At the bottom of the “Playback” list, click on the “Renderer” option.
A list of available devices that VLC can cast to will be displayed. Find and select your Smart TV from the list.
Once you have selected your Smart TV, VLC will begin casting the video to your TV.
You can control the playback on your Smart TV from the VLC interface on your laptop, including pausing, playing, skipping forward or backward, and adjusting the volume.

Note: If you do not see your Smart TV on the list of available devices, you may need to check that your Smart TV is properly connected to your WiFi network and that it is compatible with VLC casting.

You can also try restarting your Smart TV and/or your laptop, or try another casting method such as using a Chromecast or other streaming devices such as Roku, Apple TV, FireStick, and Nvidia Shield TV.

See: 7 Cool Things You Can Do With Nvidia Shield TV Pro

What to do when VLC won’t cast videos to your Smart TV via Renderer

If your TV does not appear on the list of available devices to cast via renderer, you will need to double check if your Smart TV is connected to the same WiFi Network as your laptop that has VLC on it.
Your Smart TV may not be compatible with VLC casting if Youtube casts to TV, but renderer doesn’t appear on VLC.
Try another laptop and see if VLC works via casting with ‘renderer’ under playback again, if it does, then your Laptop could be the issue.

Here’s a comprehensive list of additional methods you can attempt to fix VLC not casting to Smart TV:

Restart your Smart TV: Turn off your Smart TV and unplug it from the power source for a few minutes. Then plug it back in and turn it on again. This can often help to resolve any temporary issues with the TV’s connection to the network.
Restart your laptop: Similarly, try restarting your laptop and reconnecting it to the WiFi network.
Update VLC: Make sure you have the latest version of VLC installed on your laptop. You can check for updates within the VLC program by clicking on “Help” and then “Check for Updates.”
Check your firewall settings: Make sure that your laptop’s firewall settings are not blocking the connection to your Smart TV. You may need to add an exception in your firewall settings to allow the VLC application to connect to your Smart TV.
Use a different casting method: If you are still unable to cast videos using the renderer feature in VLC, try using a different casting method. For example, you can try using a Chromecast or another streaming device that is compatible with your Smart TV.

If you’re using a DVD you ripped, then see our post on How to Rip a DVD using VLC

Cast VLC to TV with a streaming device such as a Roku, Apple TV, FireStick or Chromecast.

If you are having trouble casting videos from VLC to your Smart TV using the renderer feature, you can try using a streaming device such as a Roku, Apple TV, FireStick or Chromecast.

These devices can be connected to your TV and can be used to stream content from your laptop or mobile device to your TV.

Here’s how to cast videos from VLC to your Smart TV using these devices:

Connect the streaming device to your TV: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the streaming device to your TV. Make sure that the device is properly connected to the same WiFi network as your laptop.
Install the streaming app on your device: You’ll need to download and install the streaming app for your device, such as the Roku app, the Apple TV app, or the Chromecast app.
Load the video on your laptop: Open VLC on your laptop and load the video that you want to cast to your Smart TV.
Click on the streaming icon in VLC: Look for the streaming icon in the bottom right corner of the VLC player, and click on it. Select the streaming option that corresponds to your streaming device, such as “Roku” or “Chromecast.”
Follow the prompts to complete the setup: Depending on the streaming device you are using, you may need to follow some additional prompts to complete the setup. For example, you may need to enter a code or connect your device to your WiFi network.
Start casting: Once the setup is complete, you can start casting the video from VLC to your Smart TV. Control the playback from the VLC interface on your laptop, including pausing, playing, skipping forward or backward, and adjusting the volume.

Note: The steps to cast VLC to your TV may vary depending on the streaming device you are using. Roku is a great choice to cast VLC to your Smart TV without Chromecast.

Cast via MiraCast or Airplay without using VLC at all

Another way to cast video from your laptop or mobile device to your Smart TV is to use MiraCast or Airplay, without even having to use VLC.

This method is available on many modern Smart TVs, including Samsung and Roku TV, as well as newer laptops and mobile devices running Windows or Mac.

Here’s how to cast video to your Smart TV using MiraCast or Airplay:

Using MiraCast:

Make sure your Smart TV supports MiraCast and your laptop or mobile device supports the feature as well.
Turn on the screen mirroring option on your Smart TV (should be under settings).
On your laptop or iOS/Android smartphone, go to the settings and turn on the mirroring feature.
Connect to your Smart TV from the list of available devices, and start playing the video you want to cast.
Control the playback on your Smart TV from your laptop or mobile device.

Using Airplay:

Make sure your Smart TV supports Airplay and your laptop or mobile device supports the feature as well (Most iOS devices are compatible and support this).
Turn on Airplay on your Smart TV.
On your laptop or mobile device, open the video you want to cast and click on the Airplay icon.
Select your Smart TV from the list of available devices and start playing the video.
Control the playback on your Smart TV from your laptop or mobile device.

By using the built-in MiraCast or Airplay features, you can easily cast video to your Smart TV without having to use VLC media player’s renderer option.

If you don’t want to use VLC, see our post on other ways to play video files on TV.

Can I cast VLC to TV with subtitles?

Can you cast VLC to TV with subtitles? If VLC is not showing the subtitles when casting to your smart TV, then you’ll need to burn in the subtitles in the video. This is a longer process then most are willing to attempt and you may want to use something like soda player instead.

This is especially true if are casting VLC to Smart TV via Chromecast.

While transcoding, Plex can also burn subtitles into the video (soft subtitles into hard subtitles) and is a powerful and reliable, alternative option.

Casting VLC to a Smart TV using ChromeCast (Mac)

Casting VLC to a Smart TV using ChromeCast via Mac is a simple process. All you need to do is follow these steps:

Open the VLC app on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder.
Click on “Playback” from the Apple menu bar at the top of your screen. If you don’t see “Playback,” make sure you click on the VLC app first.
Hover your mouse pointer over “Renderer.” A menu will open. Select your Chromecast device from the list. It may be labeled as Chromecast, or you may have renamed it.
If the menu shows “No renderer,” it’s possible that your computer and Chromecast are not on the same network. Check this and try again.
Open a video or audio file. The video or audio will automatically play on your TV.

Tip: Be sure that your Mac and Chromecast are on the same network.

Casting VLC to a Smart TV using ChromeCast (Windows)

Casting VLC to a Smart TV with Chromecast on Windows is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the VLC app on your Windows 10 computer. If you can’t locate it on your desktop, click on the magnifying glass button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Then type “VLC” in the search bar.
Click on “Playback” in the menu bar. The menu bar is located at the top of your VLC window.
Hover your mouse pointer over “Renderer.” A menu will open. Select your Chromecast device from the list. It may be simply labeled as “Chromecast,” or you may have renamed it.
If your Chromecast device doesn’t appear on the list, click “Scan.” Wait a few seconds and go to “Playback” > “Renderer” again. If it’s still not there, it’s possible that your computer and Chromecast are not on the same network.
1. If you know that both devices are on the same network, you can try going to “Tools” > “Messages” and adjusting the settings.
Open a video or audio file. If you see a window appear that says “Insecure site,” just click “View Certificate” and then “Accept Permanently.”

Also see: How To Make VLC The Default Player On Mac And Windows

VLC cast to chromecast not working

If you’re having trouble casting VLC to your Chromecast, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue:

Make sure that both your computer running VLC and your Chromecast are connected to the same WiFi network. If they are not, reconnect them to the same network.
If you can’t see your Chromecast device under Renderer, click on the Scan option. If VLC gets stuck on scanning for the renderer, try opening a random multicast network stream in the range of address 224.0.0.X, where X is between 100 and 199 using the following syntax: udp://@224.0.0.X:5000. Wait for a while and then check for available renderers again. They should show up within a minute.
Try resetting your VLC preferences. Click on Tools in the top menu of VLC, select Preferences, and then click on Reset Preferences at the bottom left corner.
Restart both VLC and Chromecast to see if that resolves the issue.

Black screen when casting VLC to Smart TV

When attempting to cast files from VLC to Chromecast, it is possible to encounter a black screen with only the file title displayed on the TV, making it impossible to watch the video. There are several methods to try to fix this issue.

First, as mentioned earlier, it is very important to ensure that both VLC and Chromecast are on the same network – this is the most common error. If you are using a VPN service, disconnect from it. It is also recommended to update VLC to its latest version.

Firewalls may also cause problems, so it may be necessary to turn it off or allow the VLC port in firewall configuration. Changing the network from public to private may also be helpful.

In VLC settings, disabling audio passthrough can be attempted by clicking Tools, then Preferences, then All at the bottom left, searching for Chromecast, unchecking Enable Audio Passthrough, and then clicking Save.

Also see: 7 Ways to Connect iPhone to Roku & Roku TV (Mirroring, Casting, USB Cable)

FAQ:

Can you Cast VLC from Android to Smart TV

The latest version of VLC, 3.0, comes with a new feature that allows you to cast local content directly from your Android device to your Smart TV. Here’s how you can cast VLC from your Android device to your Smart TV:

Download VLC 3.0 If you don’t already have VLC 3.0 on your Android device, head to the Play Store and download the latest version. If the update is not available yet, you can enroll in the beta and get it that way.
Cast local content from Android After installing VLC 3.0, open the application and tap on the hamburger menu icon in the top left corner. This will open the overflow menu.
From here, you can choose a directory where your content might be stored, or you can open a list of all of the video and audio files on your device.
Next, tap on the Chromecast icon in the top menu bar. This will allow you to choose which Chromecast-enabled device you want to cast content to.
Finally, select the video or audio file you want to send to your Chromecast device.

If you’re using a Roku TV or Roku streaming device, then Check out our list of the Best screen mirroring apps that let you cast to Roku.

How do I adjust the display settings when mirroring VLC on a TV?

When you’re mirroring videos from VLC to your Smart TV, you may want to adjust some of the display settings, such as brightness or contrast. It’s recommended that you use VLC instead of your smart TV for this, as it’s easier to adjust these settings through the VLC program.

This is because in order to make sure that the video looks how you want it on the TV screen you will need to change a few different settings and each can be adjusted more accurately in VLC. So, if you’re looking to tweak or customize the way that your video plays on the TV, then using VLC should be your first choice.

Also see: How to Rotate & Flip a Video in VLC and Save It (Permanently)

What are some additional apps besides VLC I can use to cast to my Samsung, LG, Roku TV, or Vizio TV?

There are several apps you can use besides VLC to cast videos to your Smart TV. Here are a few options:

Plex: Plex is a popular media server app that allows users to stream videos, music, and photos from your computer or NAS to your Smart TV (theres also the ability to share libraries – which is very popular).
1. You can use Plex to organize your media library and access it from anywhere, as well as cast your media to your Smart TV. See our guide on how to How To Get New Movies On Plex
Kodi: Kodi is another media player app that can be used to cast videos to your Smart TV. It supports a wide range of video and audio formats, and can be customized with add-ons to extend its functionality.
BubbleUPnP: BubbleUPnP is a media server app that allows you to stream videos, music, and photos from your computer or cloud storage to your Smart TV. It supports a wide range of Smart TV devices, including Samsung, LG, Roku, and Vizio.
AllCast: AllCast is a media streaming app that allows you to cast videos, photos, and music to your Smart TV. It supports a wide range of video and audio formats, and can be used with a variety of Smart TV devices.
LocalCast: LocalCast is a media streaming app that allows you to cast videos, photos, and music to your Smart TV. It supports a wide range of Smart TV devices, including Samsung, LG, Roku, and Vizio.

Does the audio or video file format matter when casting from VLC to my smart TV

As long as VLC can play the audio or video file format (ex. MKV, AVI), it should be able to cast it to your Smart TV using the renderer feature. However, it’s important to note that the quality of the playback on your TV may be affected by the file format and resolution of the video you are casting.

For example, if you are casting a video with a resolution of 4K but your Smart TV only supports up to 1080p, the video may not be displayed in 4K resolution on your TV. Similarly, if the file format of the video is not compatible with your Smart TV, it may not play at all or may experience issues such as lag or buffering.

Also see how you can download youtube videos using VLC

In general, it’s always best to check the compatibility of the file format and resolution of the video with your Smart TV before attempting to cast it using VLC. This can help to ensure that you get the best possible playback experience on your TV.