So, you just got a PlayStation 5, and you’re wondering if you can hook it up to your laptop as a display. Maybe your TV is occupied, or you want to game on the go without buying a separate monitor. The short answer: it’s not as straightforward as you might think. But don’t worry — I’ve got you covered with simple explanations and workable solutions.
In this article, we’ll unpack common questions like whether you can directly connect your PS5 to a laptop’s display, what methods exist, and what extra gear or software you might need. I’ll also walk you through using PS5’s Remote Play feature, which is often the easiest way to game on your laptop screen.
Let’s dive in.
Can I Use My Laptop as a Display for My PS5?
This one’s the classic question and the root of much confusion.
When you look at your laptop’s ports, you probably see an HDMI port. Good news: most modern laptops do have HDMI. But here’s the catch — that HDMI port is almost always an output, not an input.
That means your laptop can send video to an external monitor, like a TV or projector. But it can’t receive video from another device, like your PS5, to display on its screen.
If you plug your PS5’s HDMI cable into your laptop’s HDMI port, you won’t see a thing. It’s like trying to listen to music using your headphones’ output jack — it’s just not designed for that.
Why Don’t Laptops Have HDMI Inputs?
Laptops are made primarily for portability and productivity. Having an HDMI input would require extra hardware and power — increasing cost and complexity. For gaming consoles, manufacturers assume you’ll use a TV or a dedicated monitor.
So, just plugging your PS5 into your laptop’s HDMI port won’t work. This is where things get a little tricky.
What Are the Methods to Connect a PS5 to a Laptop?
Since direct HDMI input is out, you still have options — some more practical than others.
1. Use a Video Capture Card (Hardware Solution)
A video capture card is a device that takes the HDMI output from your PS5 and sends it to your laptop over USB. It acts as a middleman, converting the video signal so your laptop can display it.
Common capture cards are made by brands like Elgato, AVerMedia, and Razer. Prices range from around $100 to $300, depending on quality.
How this works:
- Connect your PS5’s HDMI cable to the capture card’s HDMI input.
- Plug the capture card into your laptop via USB.
- Use the capture card’s software or a streaming app (like OBS) to view the PS5’s video feed.
This setup allows you to use your laptop screen as a display for your PS5 — but it’s not super portable or cheap.
2. Use PS5 Remote Play (Software Solution)
Sony officially offers a way to stream your PS5’s games to other devices via Remote Play. This is a network-based method and doesn’t require extra hardware.
How it works:
- Your PS5 stays on and connected to your home internet.
- You install the PS Remote Play app on your Windows or Mac laptop.
- Through the app, you stream gameplay over your local network or internet.
This can be an excellent solution if your PS5 and laptop are on the same Wi-Fi network. The experience is generally good but depends on your internet speed and network latency.
3. Use an External Monitor Instead (Practical Alternative)
If none of the above options appeal, you might just grab a portable monitor. These devices are light, plug-and-play, and often cheaper than a capture card.
You connect your PS5’s HDMI output directly to the monitor’s HDMI input, no laptop needed.
Do I Need Special Hardware or Software to Connect PS5 to a Laptop?
The short answer: Yes, usually you do.
Because your laptop’s HDMI port is output-only, you’ll either need:
- A capture card (hardware), or
- Remote Play software (network streaming).
Capture Card Hardware
Most capture cards have:
- An HDMI input port for your PS5.
- A USB output cable to connect to your laptop.
- Software to display or stream the video feed.
Without a capture card, your laptop won’t be able to receive the video signal.
Remote Play Software
Sony provides Remote Play, free to download from their website. This app works on both Windows and macOS.
You don’t need extra hardware, but the PS5 and the laptop must be connected to the internet — preferably the same local network for a smoother experience.
Why Not Just Use HDMI?
Because your laptop’s HDMI port isn’t designed to receive video — that’s the main limitation.
Think about it like a one-way street: your laptop can send video out but can’t take it in through HDMI.
Can I Use Remote Play to Stream PS5 Games on My Laptop?
Absolutely! Remote Play is often the simplest and cheapest way for beginners to play PS5 games on their laptop screen.
How to Set Up PS5 Remote Play on Your Laptop
Download the PS Remote Play app from Sony’s official site (available for Windows and Mac).
Enable Remote Play on your PS5:
Go to Settings > System > Remote Play > enable Enable Remote Play.
Connect your PS5 controller to the laptop (via USB or Bluetooth).
Launch Remote Play on your laptop and sign in with your PlayStation Network account.
The app will search and connect to your PS5, allowing you to stream games.
Things to Keep in Mind
For the best experience, connect both devices over 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Latency may cause slight input lag, which might bother competitive gamers.
Streaming quality depends on your internet speed.
Why Is This My Go-To Option?
No extra cost. No confusing hardware. Just software and a good network connection.
Addressing the Pain Points
Pain Point 1: Laptops Don’t Have HDMI Input Ports
You might have been staring at your laptop’s HDMI port thinking, “If this can output video, why can’t it accept video from my PS5?”
Because HDMI ports on laptops are almost always outputs for external displays like projectors or TVs, not inputs. So that cable won’t magically let your laptop become a monitor.
Pain Point 2: Confusion Around HDMI Outputs vs Inputs
It’s a common misunderstanding. The HDMI port on your laptop sends signals away, it doesn’t receive them.
Think of it like a microphone and a speaker: your laptop’s HDMI is like a speaker—it sends out sound, but can’t listen in.
Pain Point 3: Do I Need Additional Devices?
If you want a direct, wired connection displaying your PS5 on your laptop’s screen, yes, you need a capture card.
But if you’re fine with streaming over your network, Remote Play is a neat solution that requires no extra hardware.
Summary Table: Connecting Your PS5 to Laptop Options
| Method | Hardware Needed | Internet Required | Video Quality | Ease of Setup | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct HDMI (no) | None | No | N/A | Impossible (HDMI port output) | N/A |
| Capture Card (USB) | Capture card (~$100+) | No | Very High | Moderate (install software) | Less portable (extra gear) |
| Remote Play (App) | None (software only) | Yes | Good (depends on network) | Easy | Very portable |
| External Monitor | Portable monitor (~$100) | No | Very High | Easy | Portable |
Final Thoughts: What Should You Do?
If you just want to play PS5 games on your laptop screen without buying extra gear or complicated setups, Remote Play is your best bet. It’s free, officially supported, and pretty straightforward once your Wi-Fi is solid.
If you want crystal-clear video with nearly zero latency for streaming or capture purposes, investing in a capture card is worth it — especially if you plan to record or broadcast your gameplay.
And if you want the simplest plug-and-play experience, an external monitor might be your best friend.
FAQs
Q: Can I use my laptop’s HDMI port as an input for PS5?
A: No, laptop HDMI ports are almost always output-only, so they can’t display video from your PS5.
Q: Do I need a capture card to connect PS5 to laptop?
A: Yes, if you want a direct HDMI connection. Otherwise, use Remote Play app for wireless streaming.
Q: Is Remote Play free to use?
A: Yes, Sony offers the Remote Play app for free on Windows and Mac.
Q: Will there be lag using Remote Play?
A: Some latency is possible, especially over Wi-Fi, but a strong 5GHz or wired connection reduces it.
Connecting your PS5 to a laptop isn’t as simple as plugging in a cable, but with the right tools and apps, it’s definitely doable. So whether you want to stream, record, or just game on your laptop screen, now you know your options and how to get started.
Happy gaming!
References
[1] According to Sony’s official Remote Play website, the Remote Play app enables streaming PS5 games to PCs and Macs without extra hardware (https://remoteplay.dl.playstation.net/remoteplay).
[2] Elgato’s website explains how capture cards work to bring console video signals to your computer (https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/game-capture-hd60-s).
[3] According to How-To Geek, laptop HDMI ports are almost always output-only and cannot be used as inputs (https://www.howtogeek.com/334083/can-i-use-my-laptop-as-a-monitor/).
If you’ve got more questions or want me to help you pick gear, just ask!
Danny Inayat