Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter Troubleshooting Guide: Fix Miracast & Audio

If your Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter (MWDA) is giving you trouble — blank or choppy video, no audio, frequent disconnects, or inconsistent behavior — you’re not alone. This guide walks through the practical steps Microsoft recommends plus field-proven tips, diagnostics and workarounds so you can get back to mirroring or extending your screen reliably. (Microsoft’s support article on this topic was last updated Aug 13, 2025.)

Quick checklist (start here)​

• Power: Make sure the adapter’s USB power cable is plugged into a powered USB port or a wall adapter (not an unpowered USB hub).
• HDMI: Plug the adapter directly into the TV/monitor HDMI port (avoid HDMI splitters or passive extenders).
• Reboot: Unplug the adapter’s USB power for 10 seconds, plug back in, restart your PC.
• Windows updates & drivers: Run Windows Update; update GPU and wireless drivers from OEM sites.
• Firmware: Use the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app (Microsoft Store) to check and install adapter firmware updates.
• Audio device: On the PC, confirm the wireless display or the TV’s HDMI output is the selected audio output in Settings > System > Sound.

If those basics don’t fix it, keep reading — this guide expands each area and adds step-by-step diagnostics, advanced checks, and what to collect if you need to contact Microsoft support.

Why problems happen (short explanation)​

• The adapter uses Miracast (Wi‑Fi Direct) to stream video/audio from your PC to the adapter. That requires compatible wireless hardware/drivers on the PC and stable Wi‑Fi Direct support. Miracast cannot run over Ethernet — it uses Wi‑Fi Direct. ivers, or Windows updates can introduce regressions, especially for audio or Miracast stacks. Community reports include issues like adapters needing a second connection attempt and larger OS/driver-related audio blackouts.

Step‑by‑step trdfirm device and OS readiness​

• Check OS & build: Note Windows version and build (Settings > System > About). If you're on Windows 11, note the exact build — some driver/feature interactions vary by build.
• Confirm Miracast support: Run dxdiag (type dxdiag in Start → Enter), then click “Save All Information” and open the saved text to find the Miracast line in the Display section (it will show “Available” or another status). This confirms whether the PC reports Miracast availability.
• Optional: run netsh wlan show drivers (open Command Prompt as admin). This shows Wi‑Fi driver info and whether your wireless hardware supports hosted networks / Wi‑Fi Direct features (useful for advanced diagnostics).

2) Power, physical connection & basic resets

• Use the included USB power cable; plug into the TV’s USB power port (some TVs supply too little current) or use the wall power adapter. If your TV’s USB port causes instability, use a dedicated USB wall adapter.
• Plug adapter directly into an HDMI port (no splitter/dock). For testing, try a different HDMI port on the TV/monitor.
• Restart sequence: On the PC, choose Restart. On the adapter, either use its reset/power button or unplug its USB power for 10 seconds and replug. Then try to connect again (Windows + K or Settings > System > Display > Connect to a wireless display).

3) Update firmware and app

• Install the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app from the Microsoft Store. Open the app while connected to the adapter and check for firmware updates — install any updates and follow on‑screen instructions. Microsoft regularly issues firmware fixes that resolve connection and audio problems. (Firmware updates are the single most common fix for odd adapter behavior.)

4) Update Windows, GPU, Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth drivers

• Windows Update: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install pending feature and optional driver updates.
• Graphics driver: Download the latest driver for your GPU (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) from the vendor site; avoid using very old or beta drivers.
• Wi‑Fi driver: Get the OEM recommended driver for your laptop/PC wireless adapter (Wi‑Fi Direct support matters).
• Bluetooth: Some adapters show up as a Bluetooth device for pairing/management; ensure Bluetooth drivers are up to date.

5) Re-pair and (if necessary) factory reset the adapter

• Re-pair: Remove the adapter from the PC’s list of wireless displays / Bluetooth devices, then attempt a fresh connection. Some users report having to reconnect twice or removing the adapter from Bluetooth to avoid a first-attempt failure — if you see that, try removing the device and re-adding it.
• Factory reset: Press-and-hold the adapter button (or use th for ~10 seconds until the LED behavior indicates reset (follow the adapter’s documentation). After reset, re-run the firmware updater and re-pair.

6) Audio specific checks

• Output selection: Settings > System > Sound — choose the wireless display / HDMI device as the output. If audio is routed to another device, you’ll hear nothing from the TV.
• Playing Audio troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Playing Audio.
• TV/Receiver volume & input: Ensure the TV or receiver is not muted and set to the correct input. Try manual HDMI audio (plug the PC via HDMI or use a different device) to confirm the TV’s audio output works.
• Driver conflicts: If you recently upgraded Windows and lost audio across more devices, some systems have experienced a deeper audio driver issue related to third‑party audio libraries; if you suspect this, note your Windows build and audio driver stack — it may be linked to larger OS-driver issues. Community reporting shows some systems experienced complete audio blackouts after certain Windows updates.

7) Interference and environment

• Move the adapter and PC closer (shorter distance Keep it out in the open (not behind the TV in a closed cabinet).
• Remove nearby devices using 2.4 GHz signals (microwaves, cordless phones) or switch the PC to another Wi‑Fi channel band if available. Note Miracast uses Wi‑Fi Direct (not your house Wi‑Fi network), but radio interference can still interfere with direct connections.

8) Try another PC or TV

• To isolate whether the adapter or one endpoint is faulty, test with a different PC (another laptop/phone with Miracast) and/or a different display. If the adapter works with the second PC, the issue is on the original PC (drivers, OS, hardware). If it fails everywhere, the adapter or display may be the culprit.

Advanced diagnostics (collect these before you escalate)​

• Firmware & app versions: Record adapter firmware and the Wireless Display Adapter app version (open app while connected).
• Windows build and OS version: Settings > System > About.
• GPU & Wi‑Fi driver versions: Device Manager → Display adapters (right-click → Properties → Driver) and Network adapters (same).
• DxDiag output: Run dxdiag, Save All Information, attach the saved .txt when contacting support.
• Event Viewer logs: Open Event Viewer (Windows + X → Event Viewer). Look at Windows Logs → System and Application around the time of connecting/attempting connection for errors/warnings related to Miracast, WLAN, or the wireless display. Note timestamps and error codes.
• Reproduce and note exact symptoms: e.g., “Screen connects but video freezes after X seconds,” “No audio but video plays,” “Requires pressing Connect twice” — specific sequences help engineers reproduce issues. Community threads show intermittent behaviors (e.g., needing a second connection attempt on Windows 11) that can be helpful to mention when contacting support.

Specific commands & checks you can run​

• dxdiag → Save All Information → inspect Miracast status.
• rs (Admin Command Prompt) to view Wi‑Fi driver capabilities (this helps determine Wi‑Fi Direct / hosted network support).
• Windows key + P: Ensure you’re projecting in the right mode (Duplicate, Extend, Second screen only).
• Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B: Quick graphics-driver reset if visuals hang (resets GPU driver without full restart).

Common failure modes and practical fixes​

• “Adapter appears but no audio” — Ensure the wireless display / TV is selected as playback device in Settings > System > Sound and update audio drivers. Also check TV volume and HDMI audio settings.
• “Connects once, then won’t connect later” — Remove the adapter from the PC’s paired devices and re-add, reset adapter firmware, update drivers. Some users report this pattern on Windows 11 and found removing from Bluetooth list or reinstalling driver helps.
• “Video freezes or is choppy” — Move devices closer, update Wi‑Fi and GPU drivers, plug adapter into a different HDMI port, ving modes that may throttle input.
• “Complete silence after a Windows update” — If a Windows update caused audio loss across the system, investigate whether the update included audio-driver changes and check community/official advisories (there are reports of such issues tied to driver/component changes).

When to contact Microsoft Support — what to provide​

If you’ve tried the steps above and the adapter still misbehaves, contact Microsoft Support pport flow in the Wireless Display Adapter app. Provide:

• Exact Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter firmware version and app version.
• Your PC model, GPU model and drivers, Wi‑Fi adapter model and driver versions.
• Windows version and build (Settings > System > About).
• A short step-by-step list to reproduce the issue, plus timestamps.
• DxDiag file and any Event Viewer log entries (System / Application) around the failure time.
• Photos of adapter connections and LED state if hardware appearance seems off.

Collecting these details up front will speed diagnosis. Microsoft’s Support article for the adapter contains the official troubleshooting steps and links to the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app for firmware updates (article updated Aug 13, 2025).

Practical “do this now” script (fast sequence)​

• Unplug the MWDA USB power for 10s, plug it back.
• On PC: Restart. Then run Windows Update.
• Install/open Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app → check firmware.
• On PC: Update GPU and Wi‑Fi drivers from vendor pages.
• Connect with Windows + K → select adapter → if audio missing, open Settings > Sound and choose the wireless display as output.
• If it still won’t connect, fully remove the adapter from PC wireless devices and re-pair after the adapter is reset.

Notes from the community (what others see in real use)​

• Some users reported the adapter “needs to be connected twice” in Windows 11; the workaround is to remove the adapter from Bluetooth/devices and re-pair or to press connect a second time.
• Miracast depends on Wi‑Fi Direct; it won’t function over Ethernet and older Wi‑Fi hardware without Wi‑Fi Direct support will not work reliably.
• There have been breports after certain updates; if you see complete sound loss system‑wide, track Windows update and driver change history and report those specifics tips & best practice
• Keep the adapter firmware up to date via the official app.
• Use short, direct power and HDMI connections — the fewest passive adapters or splitters possible.
• For presentatios, have an HDMI cable as a fallback — physical connections avoid wireless variability.
• If you manage many adapters (IT/professional use), test firmware in a lab environment before mass deployment when a Windows feature update rolls out.

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If you want, tell me:

• Your PC OS and build (exact numbers), GPU and wireless adapter models, and the adapter firmware version (from the app).
  I’ll walk you step‑by‑step through the targeted checks (dxdiag output, commands to run, and which logs to capture) and help compose the support bundle you can send to Microsoft.

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Source: Microsoft Support Troubleshooting Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter - Microsoft Support