Enabling Wireless Display on Windows 11 (for Android mirroring)
This is one of those things that seems straightforward but… isn’t. To mirror an Android device to a Windows 11 PC wirelessly, you first need to make sure that the Wireless Display feature is turned on. If it’s not enabled, your phone just won’t see your PC as an available cast target. Took me a bit of trial and error, mostly because some of these settings are buried deep or hidden behind odd menus.
Start by going into Settings. Once there, navigate to System. Here’s where it gets weird—Microsoft has a habit of shuffling things around with updates, so if it’s not exactly where I said, just look for similar wording. Next, click on Optional Features. Sometimes, this is tucked inside a submenu, and you might need to scroll or search.
Now, this part tripped me up for a while. Find and click on the View Features button. It’s not always obvious; sometimes it’s labeled differently or hidden behind a small link. Use Ctrl + F to search for Wireless Display if you’re having trouble spotting it among dozens of features. Once you find it, check the box next to Wireless Display. It’s usually below several other features, so take your time. After selecting it, click Next, and Windows will try to download and install it. Usually, there’s a progress bar or a spinner—because nothing’s ever *that* smooth, right? Same here. Sometimes it takes a few minutes, so be patient.
If you can’t find Wireless Display there, another way is to install it via PowerShell. Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as an administrator and run:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "WirelessDisplay~~~~0.0.1.0"This directly adds the wireless display feature without digging through menus. Handy if your version is a little wonky or if you prefer scripting. After installing, a reboot might be needed—that’s just Windows being Windows.
Once installed, it’s pretty much ready to use. This step is essential because it turns your Windows device into a receiver for wireless display signals, which is exactly what you need if you want to mirror your Android device.
Getting your PC ready to receive the cast (via Settings)
Next, you’ll want to set up your Windows 11 PC to actually accept the screen sharing. Go back into Settings, then head to System. Be aware that Windows has a habit of moving things around after updates, so if the menu items aren’t exactly where I said, just poke around a little.
Click on Projecting to this PC. Sometimes it’s hidden or has a slightly different name—like Optional Features or in the display options—so it might take a moment to find. Inside, you’ll see options to make your PC discoverable. The key setting is Ask to project to this PC. You want it to be set to Available everywhere or Available everywhere on secure networks. Sometimes, it defaults to a less secure option, or it resets after updates, so double-check. You might need to toggle it on, or set it via PowerShell, like:
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\bluetooth' -Name 'Value' -Value 'Allow'Honestly, I just did it through the GUI, but I’ve seen folks mention that sometimes you need advanced tweaks. Once it’s enabled—that is, your PC is set to *allow* being cast to—you’re golden. Just remember, sometimes these options reset or hide behind other “advanced” menus, so keep an eye out.
Now, the fun part — connecting your Android phone
On your Android device, the process is surprisingly simple, but can be frustrating if the settings aren’t perfectly dialed in. Pull down your quick settings shade and look for Cast or Screen Cast. The name depends on your device—sometimes it’s under Connected Devices, sometimes just in the main menu. Tap on it, then wait for your device to scan for available posts. If your Windows 11 PC has the Wireless Display feature enabled correctly, your PC should show up on the list.
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. That’s actually the most common stumbling block because, for some reason, these features only work smoothly if they’re on the same network—no exceptions. Sometimes toggling airplane mode or turning Wi-Fi off/on helps force discovery. Once you see your PC’s name, tap it. Your phone might show a connection prompt or a small notification on Windows asking for permission. Approve it.
If you connect successfully, your Android screen should be mirrored on your Windows desktop. If it’s not working right away, don’t get discouraged. I had moments where I had to disconnect, wait, re-enable cast, or even restart both devices. It’s part of the process. Be patient, and check that both are on the same Wi-Fi and that the PC isn’t in some low discoverability mode.
When it all lines up, your Android screen appears in a new window or on your desktop background. It’s handy for quick demos, watching videos, or just fooling around. Just keep in mind, the delay isn’t going to be perfect. Expect some lag, especially if your Wi-Fi isn’t solid, and occasional disconnects. Usually, a quick toggle or restart sorts out these glitches.
Honestly, this whole thing was a real headache at first. It felt like hunting for a needle in a haystack. The key things to double-check:
- Wireless Display installed/enabled on Windows 11
- Same Wi-Fi network for both devices
- Proper setup in Projecting to this PC
- Android cast settings toggled on and showing the PC
Hope this helped — took way longer than it should’ve to figure out, mostly because Windows keeps hiding these options. Anyway, if you’re struggling, just remember to recheck all the settings, reboot if needed, and keep your Wi-Fi stable. Good luck!