Troubleshooting Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter

Wireless Display Adapter, Microsoft Mobile Hub, Microsoft 4k Wireless Display Adapter

Many common connection issues can be resolved by installing the latest updates for your device and for Windows. Here's how to get updates:

1. Select Start  > Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update.

2. Select Check for updates. If updates are available, they will install automatically. You may need to restart your device after the updates have installed.

Check to see if both the HDMI end and the USB end of the adapter are connected correctly.

• Make sure the HDMI end of the adapter is connected to the HDMI on your second display. Use the included HDMI extension cable if needed.

• Make sure the USB end of the adapter is plugged into a USB power source. If the second display doesn't have a USB charging port, use the charging port on a device power supply or another USB charger.

• For the most stable connection, use a USB charging port that's directly connected to a wall outlet. Use a USB extension cord if you need more length for your USB connector.

• Make sure the electrical outlet you're using is working properly. Test it by connecting something else.

If you can connect your device to the adapter, but what you see on your device isn’t visible on your second display, the adapter’s firmware may be out of date.

The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app provides settings and firmware updates for the adapter. If you haven’t already done so, install the app from Microsoft Store. For info on how to install the app, go to Use the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

To use the app to update the adapter’s firmware:

1. Connect your Windows 10 device to the adapter.

2. Open the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app, then select Update & security.

3. If an update is available, select Update. You'll need to keep the app open and stay connected to the adapter until updates are completed. I

1. Remove the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter from the second display.

2. Restart your device.

3. Reconnect the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter into your TV or monitor.

4. Attempt to display one more time.

Check for updates on your device after trying this solution. To do that, select Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update , select Check for updates and install any that are available.

Reset the adapter. This is also helpful if you’ve forgotten your password. Here’s how:

1. Remove your adapter from the second display.

2. On the adapter next to the wired connection, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds. The LED light on the adapter will blink.

3. Reconnect the adapter to your second display.

4. When Ready to connect appears on your second screen, select action center    in the taskbar.

5. Select Connect, and choose the name of your adapter from the list of results.

There might be a problem with the connection between your device and the adapter. To fix the issue, try removing the adapter from your device and reconnecting it.

Here's how on a Windows 10 device: 

1. Select Start  > Settings  > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices.

2. In Wireless displays & docks, select the name of your adapter, then select Remove device.

3. Select Add Bluetooth or other devices.

4. Select Wireless display or dock to reconnect your device to the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

Windows Firewall might be preventing the adapter from connecting to your device. Here's how to allow the adapter to communicate through the firewall:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter allow firewall, then select Allow an app through Windows Firewall from the list of results.

2. Under Name, find Wireless Display, make sure Private and Public are selected, then select OK.

   Note: If you can’t select anything in the Allowed apps and features box, you aren't logged in as an administrator. Select Change Settings, type your administrator password, and select Yes. If you're an administrator on your device, the password should be the same as the one you used to set up your device. Then, make sure Private and Public are selected and select OK.

The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter can communicate with devices on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless frequency bands, but you must have the 2.4GHz band enabled on your device when you’re pairing your device with the adapter.

Here’s how to enable the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

2. Expand Network adapters, then right-click your device's network adapter. For example, either Marvell AVASTAR adapter or Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter.

3. Select Properties > Advanced.

   Note: If you don’t see the Advanced tab, you aren't logged in as an administrator. If this is the case, select Change Settings, type your administrator password, and select Yes. Then you'll be able to select Advanced. If you're an administrator on your device, the password should be the same as the password you used to set up your device.

4. Under Property, select Band.

5. Under Value, select the arrow and select Auto > OK.

An issue with the Intel HD Graphics driver on your device might be preventing your device from communicating with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

Here's how on a Windows 10 device:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

2. Expand Display adapters, right-click the Intel HD Graphics driver, then select Uninstall.

3. Select Start  > Power  > Restart.

4. After your device restarts, select Start  > Settings  > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices.

5. Select Add Bluetooth or other devices.

6. Select Wireless display or dock to reconnect your device and the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

2. Expand Network adapters and right-click your device's network adapter. Some examples include Marvell AVASTAR adapter or Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter.

3. Select Uninstall.

4. Select Start  > Power  > Restart.

5. After your device restarts, select Start  > Settings  > Devices  > Connected devices.

6. Select Add a device to connect your device and the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

If you still can’t connect your device to your Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, contact us.

Miracast® over Wi-Fi

If you can't connect the adapter directly to your home's wireless network, check the following:

• Your PC has Windows 10 Version 2004 or later installed. To get the latest updates for your device, select Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update  > Check for updates.

• Your Wi-Fi speed is 5GHz.

• Your network is secured with WPA, WPA2, or WPA3. Enterprise or commercial networks that require extra authentication or certificates aren't supported.

• Your Wi-Fi router or access point is up to date.

If you can connect your device to the adapter but nothing displays on your second display, try performing the steps in the previous section. If that doesn’t solve the issue, try these other solutions:

• Make sure your device is set to duplicate or extend the screen. For more info, see Troubleshoot connecting Surface to an external display or Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows 10.

• Unplug the USB end of the adapter to turn it off, and plug it back in to turn it on again.

• Make sure your second display is set to the HDMI input. To check or change the video input settings on your display, check the info that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

• Make sure your second display supports HDCP. If you aren’t sure if your display supports HDCP, check the info that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

If you notice pixelation in the video or if the audio stutters, try the following:

• Move your device closer to the adapter. For best performance, your device should be within 23 feet (7 m) of your second display.

• Move the adapter away from microwave ovens, cordless phones, or baby monitors. Common household electronics like these can cause radio frequency interference that may disrupt the connection between your device and the adapter.

• If you don’t have enough room to plug the adapter into the HDMI port on your second display, use the HDMI extension cable that was included in the box your adapter came in. If you’ve plugged the adapter into the HDMI port at an angle, this can cause issues with the video quality.

If you have a Microsoft 4K Wireless Display Adapter, here are some other things to try:

• Change how the adapter is connected.

• If you've turned on HDCP with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app, try turning it off.

App based video (YouTube, Netflix, Amazon) can't play when connected to the adapter

If you're having issues playing video and content from an application service such as Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon Instant Video, here's what to try: 

• Make sure the adapter is up to date.

• Close and relaunch or refresh the app.

• Disconnect from the adapter.

• Restart device.

• Reconnect to the adapter and try playing the video again.

• If you have the Microsoft 4K Wireless Display Adapter, make sure that Enable HDCP is turned in in the app. For more info, go to Use the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

If video plays correctly on your device but is frozen on your second screen, disconnect the adapter from your device and the display, and reconnect it. Here’s how:

1. Select action center    in the taskbar.

2. Select Connect, select the name of your adapter, then select Disconnect.

3. Unplug both ends of the adapter from your HDTV, monitor, or projector and plug them in again.

4. Select action center  .

5. Select Connect, and in the list of displays, select the name of your adapter to reconnect your device to it.

If the quality of the streaming video is poor, here are some ways to help improve it:

• Make sure you aren't using an HDMI to VGA converter. Converting from HDMI to VGA reduces the signal strength of the video output and can distort the images.

• Reduce radio frequency interference by moving the adapter away from microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other common household electronics.

• Move your device closer to the adapter. The adapter works best when it’s within 23 feet (7 m) of your device.

• Download higher-quality video. The source itself might be of poor quality, which will affect the quality of the streaming video.

If sound plays on your device when you're streaming video to a connected display, you can configure the sound source manually. Here's how:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter sound, then select Sound from the list of results.

2. Select Playback > Speakers/Intel WiDi > Set Default > OK.

If the resolution on your display is less than 1080p, your device will default to that resolution while it’s connected to the display.

You need a second display that supports up to 1080p resolution to stream content from your device in that resolution. After you disconnect your device from the adapter, your device will revert to its default resolution.

If you’ve set the resolution on your device to a lower resolution than its default setting, you can increase it so it will fit correctly on your second screen. Here’s how:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter screen resolution, then select Change the screen resolution from the list of results.

2. Under Resolution, select the arrow, then select the resolution that says Recommended. (The highest resolution is the recommended resolution on the device.)

3. Select Apply.

You can use the adapter app to change how the screen on your device scales to the screen on your second display. Here's how:

1. Connect your device to your adapter.

2. Open the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app.

3. Select Personalization. In Fit to Display, drag the slider to the right until you can see everything that’s on your device on the HDTV, monitor, or projector.

Only the Microsoft 4K Wireless Display Adapter can display in 4K. If you have this adapter and it isn't displaying in 4K, try the following:

• Connect your Windows 10 device to Wi-Fi, then connect your adapter to Wi-Fi with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app. For info on getting the app, go to Use the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

• Check if your second display can support 3840x2160 resolution or higher.

If this message appears in the app, here's what to do:

1. Make sure both the HDMI end and the USB end of the adapter are connected to your second display.

2. Connect to your adapter.

3. In the app, select Refresh.