Android Tablet Cannot Find the Computer on the Same Wi-Fi
Working internet access does not prove that your tablet can reach your computer. Guest, office and school Wi-Fi may allow internet access while blocking communication between devices. If the Any Display computer list is empty, check app readiness and the local network before changing resolution or frame rate.
- 1
Check that the desktop app is ready
Open Any Display on both devices. Wake the computer and make sure the desktop app is running. Check that the desktop app is ready to accept connections.
- 2
Check the actual local network
Make sure the tablet is not on a mobile hotspot or guest network. A computer on Ethernet can work with a tablet on Wi-Fi if they can communicate on the same local network. An identical Wi-Fi name does not rule out separate office or school network segments.
- 3
Rule out device isolation
Guest access, AP isolation and client isolation can prevent devices from reaching one another. Check your own router or ask the network administrator. Compare on a trusted home network or over USB to narrow down whether the shared network is the obstacle.
- 4
Check app permissions and network filtering
On Windows, check whether the firewall allows Any Display on the network you are using. On Mac, check local-network permission if the system requested it. Keep the firewall enabled and review the app-specific rule. VPNs and security software may also block local traffic.
- 5
Refresh after a network change
Reopen both apps after changing Wi-Fi or waking the computer. If USB works but Wi-Fi does not, focus on discovery and local communication. If neither works, also check application readiness and the USB setup separately.
- Must both devices use the same Wi-Fi frequency?
- The key is local reachability, not the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz label. Check whether the router separates wireless bands or guest devices into isolated networks.
- The computer appears, but connecting fails. What next?
- Discovery has already succeeded. Record the connection error and check app readiness, firewall rules and VPN filtering. Report this separately from an empty device list.
- The connection opens, but the screen is black. Is that discovery?
- Usually you should investigate capture permission or display selection next. Check Mac Screen Recording permission, whether the extended screen has a window on it, and whether only protected media appears black.
- What information should I send to support?
- Include the computer OS, tablet model and Android version, both app versions, the exact error, whether the list is empty, and whether USB works. These observations help distinguish detection from connection or capture failures.