AirPlay Screen Mirroring Failed? Troubleshooting Guide for Mac Computers Not Connecting to TV
“Why can’t my Mac find the TV?” or “Why does AirPlay connection always fail?” – It’s indeed frustrating when convenient screen mirroring functionality doesn’t work. This article provides a detailed troubleshooting guide to help you quickly identify and resolve AirPlay connection issues.
Step 1: Basic Checks (Resolves Most Problems)
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Confirm Network Consistency: This is the most common reason. Make sure your Mac and the receiving device (TV/Apple TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and that the network is functioning properly.
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Check Device Compatibility: Confirm that your receiving device supports AirPlay. Older TV models may not support it.
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Restart Devices: Simple but effective. Restart your Mac, TV, and router to clear temporary software glitches.
Step 2: System and Settings Troubleshooting
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Problem: The device does not appear in “Screen Mirroring” on your Mac.
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Solution:
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On your Mac, go to [System Preferences] -> [Displays], and check if the “AirPlay Receiver” is set to allow “Anyone on the same network” or “Anyone.”
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On the TV, go to the settings menu and confirm that the AirPlay function is enabled.
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Step 3: In-Depth Network Troubleshooting
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Problem: Can find the device but cannot connect, or it stutters after connecting.
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Solution:
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Check Firewall: Temporarily disable your Mac’s firewall to test if a firewall policy is blocking the connection.
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Optimize Wi-Fi: Move devices closer to the router, or connect to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band to reduce interference.
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Router Settings: Log in to your router’s administration interface and check if “AP Isolation” or “Client Isolation” is enabled. This feature prevents devices from communicating with each other and must be disabled.
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By troubleshooting step-by-step from easiest to hardest, most AirPlay screen mirroring problems can be resolved, getting your computer mirroring experience back on track.