Can I Make My TV Switch to Laptop Input Automatically When I Turn It On?

January 30, 2026 6 answers
Asked by TechieNomad42
I'm trying to figure out if there's a way for my television to automatically switch to the input my laptop uses when I turn it on, similar to how it automatically switches to my Xbox or Switch. I have a Lenovo laptop connected to the TV through a docking station and regularly switch between my gaming consoles and the laptop. Any advice on how to set this up would be appreciated! Thanks!

Answers

TechieNomad42
Reply to this answer
OpenSourceFan
If you have an LG TV, there's an app called LGTV Companion that can help with this. Unfortunately, if you have a Samsung, that wouldn't work.
Reply to this answer
HomeTechie
Does your TV have an HDMI-CEC port? That can allow your laptop to communicate with the TV to switch inputs automatically.

GamerGuru77: The problem isn't with the TV; all modern TVs have CEC. The issue might be that the HDMI out from your laptop doesnโ€™t support CEC.

Reply to this answer
GamerGuru77
It could be a bit tricky. The consoles use a protocol over HDMI to wake the TV. Try connecting your laptop directly to the TV without the dock and see if it works that way. Also, check if your TV has a setting to auto-detect HDMI inputs. If nothing works, you might need an adapter that supports CEC.

TechieNomad42: This has been helpful. I'll try your suggestions. thanks

Reply to this answer
CuriousGadget
It sounds like your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which is what allows devices like your Xbox and Switch to automatically wake the TV. However, most Lenovo docks donโ€™t support this feature, so you might have to switch inputs manually when using your laptop.
Reply to this answer
TVWhizKid
Some TVs have an auto-input switch feature. You might want to check the settings or menus on your TV to see if that's an option.
Reply to this answer

Add your answer

Answers are reviewed before publication.

Related Discussions