If your computer can no longer find your wireless display (e.g., Samsung TV, Miracast device, Roku, etc.), here’s a complete troubleshooting guide to help you restore the connection.

1. Check the Basics

- Make sure both your computer and wireless display are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Ensure the TV or wireless display is powered on and in screen mirroring mode.
- Restart both the PC and the TV/display device.

2. Verify Wireless Display Support on Your PC

On Windows:
1. Press Win + K or go to Settings > System > Display > Connect to a wireless display.
2. If nothing appears, open Command Prompt and run:
   netsh wlan show drivers
3. Look for the line: 'Wireless Display Supported: Yes (Graphics Driver: Yes, Wi-Fi Driver: Yes)'
   If it says 'No', your PC may not support Miracast or drivers need to be updated.

3. Re-enable Wireless Display Feature

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
   2. Click “Add a feature”.
   3. Search for “Wireless Display” and install it.
   4. Restart your computer.

4. Enable Network Discovery

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
   2. Turn on 'Network discovery' and 'File and printer sharing'.
   3. Make sure your network profile is set to 'Private':
   - Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Your Network Name > Set to Private.

5. Check Display Device (TV or Receiver)

For Samsung TVs:
- Press the Source button and select Screen Mirroring or Smart View.
- Or go to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Device Connect Manager:
   - Enable 'Access Notification'
   - Enable 'Device List'
   - Make sure your PC is not blocked in the list.

6. Update Drivers

- Open Device Manager.
- Update your display adapter (GPU) and wireless network adapter drivers.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Nvidia) for the latest versions.

7. Reset Wireless Display (Connect App)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
   Get-AppxPackage *windowsconnect* | Remove-AppxPackage
   2. Reinstall it:
   - Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add a feature
      - Add 'Wireless Display'

8. Test with Another Device

- Try casting from another device (e.g., phone, laptop) to the display.
- If it also fails, the problem may be with the TV or display device itself.

If the issue persists, consider checking for firmware updates for your TV or using a dedicated streaming device like a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick as a workaround.

9. Understand Miracast vs. Chromecast vs. Smart View

It's important to understand that not all wireless display technologies work the same way. Miracast is a peer-to-peer wireless screencasting standard supported natively by Windows 10/11 and many Smart TVs. Chromecast, developed by Google, works differently and relies on casting media from supported apps through a cloud-based connection. Smart View is Samsung's proprietary screen mirroring tool that generally uses Miracast or DLNA under the hood.

When troubleshooting casting issues, knowing what technology your device supports is key. A Windows PC that doesn't support Miracast will not be able to connect using Smart View, and a Smart TV that doesn't support Chromecast won’t show up in the cast list of supported apps like YouTube unless it has a Chromecast dongle or OS built in.

10. When to Use a Streaming Device

If your wireless display issues persist, or if you're trying to connect an older PC or monitor, using a dedicated streaming device like a Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku may be the most reliable solution. These devices are specifically designed for casting and mirroring, and they receive regular software updates to maintain compatibility.

These devices also help eliminate compatibility issues between Miracast, DLNA, and older TV operating systems. For example, a Chromecast can easily mirror your entire desktop or stream individual tabs from Google Chrome, which can be useful for presentations or media playback.

11. Common Causes of Failure

Many users experience connection problems due to simple, preventable issues. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Devices are connected to different Wi-Fi networks (e.g., guest vs. main network).
- The display device or TV has screen mirroring disabled or is set to reject new devices by default.
- Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus is blocking the Connect functionality.
- Outdated drivers or missing optional Windows features.
- Your wireless card doesn’t support peer-to-peer (P2P) Wi-Fi Direct connections, which are needed for Miracast.

12. Advanced Fixes and Logs

For advanced users, Windows offers a way to log wireless display connection attempts:
- Open Event Viewer (type it into the Start menu).
- Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Connect-VirtualDisplay > Operational.
- Here, you can find detailed logs that may help diagnose why a wireless display is not connecting properly.

In enterprise environments or managed systems, Group Policy settings or security software may also restrict wireless display functionality.

13. Conclusion

Connecting your PC to a wireless display can be a seamless experience, but when it fails, it’s often due to network mismatches, driver issues, or missing features. With the steps provided in this guide, most users should be able to quickly identify the root cause and restore functionality.

Understanding the underlying technology—whether it's Miracast, Chromecast, or another standard—can go a long way in ensuring compatibility. If you're still stuck after trying these steps, using a dedicated casting device or contacting technical support for your TV or PC may be the best next step.