Using a HDMI to Connect a Laptop to Insigna TV

Question

I am using a laptop and I am trying to extend my screen to an Insigna Fire TV but it keeps showing up as blurry. I do not have the same problem with the TV I use at work and I am wondering why.

Answer 1

Hi Christopher,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

What you’re seeing can happen when a Windows 11 laptop extends its screen to a consumer TV, such as an Insignia Fire TV. TVs are optimized for video playback, so they may report display information differently than workplace monitors. When Windows adjusts scaling or resolution to match that signal, text and apps can appear less sharp, especially in Extend mode.

Here are some possible checking steps that you can consider in this case:

1, Set the TV to its native resolution

• Go to Settings > System > Display
• Select the Insignia Fire TV
• Under Display resolution, choose the option marked (Recommended) (for 4K TVs, this is typically 3840 × 2160)

2, Align display scaling

• In Display > Scale & layout, set the TV’s Scale to match your laptop screen (for example, both at 100% or 125%)
• Sign out and sign back in to refresh text rendering

3, Check for graphics driver updates

• Open Settings > Windows Update
• Select Check for updates, then install any optional graphics driver updates
• Restart the device after updating

Additional checks and adjustments:

• Turn off sharpness, noise reduction, or image smoothing on the TV
• Try a different HDMI cable or a USB‑C to HDMI adapter

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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