If you are looking to increase the impact of your presentation, you might need a projector. If you have a meeting and you want to make the points clear than ever. A projector will boost you up. A laptop and a projector help you to magnify the display and make the situation better. Not only this, but you can also use a projector to have a cinema screen at your home or boost your gaming experience.
However, a lot of projectors demand a specific way to connect to a laptop. Mostly, you need an HDMI or VGA cable to perform this action. But, if the HDMI or VGA cable isn’t available right on the desk. You can also use a USB cable to connect a laptop to a projector. Stick to this article to learn the complete method of connecting a laptop to a projector with a USB.
Connecting Laptop To Projector With USB
Often, laptops do not support VGA cables hence you won’t find a VGA port to connect it to your projector. But if your projector has a USB connection port you can solve this puzzle.
Although the USB connection in most of the projectors is to connect external devices such as external hard disk, etc. therefore, it will be helpful to check out first. If your projector supports pens or pointers that you can use during your presentation, you will need and probably have this USB connection port for connectivity and enabling the feature.
On Windows
If you are using a windows laptop to connect it to a projector. The method is pretty simple. Connect the standard USB-A cable to your computer and connect the other side of the cable to the USB port. This will probably make your projector display your laptop’s screen easily.
On Mac OS
If you are a MAC user you have to perform the same step. But, as the mac does not support the USB-A cable you will need to purchase a converter to connect the USB-A cable to your laptop. You can purchase the standard Mac converters to connect the two devices.
However, most people complain that their laptop isn’t projecting even after establishing the USB connection.
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This issue occurs when the settings of your computer from the control panel are not working accordingly. If you are using a windows laptop, press the “Windows Key” + P and select duplicate only. Now check if it is working properly.
If it is not working properly, it is time to troubleshoot the issue. Follow the steps below to perform the action;
First of all, uninstall the USB controller drivers.
- Now, Press the Windows key + X
- This will redirect you to a window, select Device Manager.
- Now expand the Universal Serial Bus Controller option.
- Uninstall every device by right-clicking under the Universal Serial Bus Controller option.
- Reinstall all the devices by allowing them and restart your computer.
- Now, reconnect the computer with the projector and it should work this way.
Some Alternative Ways To Connect A Projector To A Laptop
An HDMI Cable
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Cable is one of the handy ways to connect a laptop to a projector. These cables are in use for a long time as a standard video transmitter. In comparison with the other cables and connectors, an HDMI cable is more compatible and defining to do the job perfectly.
On the other hand, most projectors have an HDMI-in port, and a lot of windows devices have an HDMI-out port. This helps you to connect the two devices easily without any issue. However, if you are using a macOS device to connect to a projector you will probably need to purchase a converter. Any standard mac converter would work properly.
A VGA Cable
A lot of modern projectors offer this port these days while a Video Graphics Array (VGA) cable was introduced in 1987. This has been named the king of connectors for a long time. Even in this time of evolution, VGA cables are promoted in laptops and computers as a standard and reliable video transmitter.
Check if your projector and laptop both have a VGA cable installed in their hardware. If yes, then connect them by using a VGA cable easily. Otherwise, you will need a convertor to perform the task as a bridge.
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Wireless Connection
Now, wireless devices have eliminated connections through cables. Just like your WiFI connection, you can connect your WiFI projector to your laptop. If you have the projector mounted from the ceiling, it will be more convenient to use a WiFi projector to avoid unnecessary tangled wires.
A lot of wireless projectors use the WiFi network to connect to a laptop. Otherwise, wireless projectors use protocol connections such as Miracast.
To connect your Wi-Fi projector to a laptop follow the steps below;
For Windows
- Open the control pane by holding the windows key + K
- Now, wait for a few seconds until it displays the name of your device
- Select your device, it will take a few seconds to automatically connect to your projector
For macOS
If you are a macOS user, you will face a little difficult to perform this task. You have to use a projector that supports Apple’s airplay protocol to connect wirelessly to a projector. Configure your device and prepare it to connect it to the projector.
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Once the airplay is configured on your mac;
- Press the projector icon on the menu
- It will take a few seconds to display the name of your projector
- The projector will display an airplay passcode, enter the passcode on your mac
- Select the projector icon and select mirror built-in display
Now, you will be able to connect to your projector wirelessly
Conclusion
Connecting a projector with a laptop by using a USB cable is not rocket science unless your projector supports a USB port to convey video transmissions. A lot of projectors use a USB cable to connect external devices such as hard disks etc. You will need to configure this first. If it is configured, just plug in both sides of the cable with the devices and you are ready to go.