Try searching online for your TV’s model number followed by “mount” if you want to ensure the mount works with your television. You can usually find the model number on a sticker on the back of the TV or printed on the box. If your TV is lighter than 80 pounds (36 kg), you can use a mount that attaches vertically. If your TV weighs more, you’ll need a mount that secures horizontally so it evenly distributes the weight. If you aren’t going to mount the TV into studs, use anchor bolts to keep the TV from falling off of the wall.

Ask a helper to hold the TV against your wall so you can trace around it with a pencil. Surround the outline with painter’s tape so you can get an idea of how much space the TV takes up.

If you don’t have a stud finder, try knocking on your wall and listen for a solid sound, which means there’s a stud behind it. If you hear a hollow or echoing sound, then there isn’t a stud. Run the stud finder vertically between the studs of your wall to check if there are any horizontal studs, also known as fire blocks. Try to avoid studs that have a fire block between them underneath the mount since you won’t be able to easily fish wires through. You can still mount your TV on the wall if you don’t have any studs, but you absolutely must use wall anchors. .

If your wall doesn’t have studs, choose 3 holes along the top of the mount that are evenly spaced apart and mark them. Then choose 2 evenly spaced holes on the bottom of the mount.

Don’t mount your TV without pre-drilling holes first since you could damage your wall. If you have metal studs, use a drill bit that’s made for going through metal, or else you could damage or break it.

You can buy toggles bolts from your local hardware store. You don’t need to use toggle bolts if you have studs in your wall.

You may need a hex wrench if the mount uses hex bolts.

You can buy in-wall power extenders from electronics stores or online for between $40–100 USD.

Make sure both receptacles are between the same studs if your wall has them so it’s easier to fish the wires.

You can buy a drywall saw from your local hardware store. If you have brick or concrete walls, hire a contractor to cut through it for you so you don’t cause any additional damage.

The number of cables you pull through depends on how many devices you want to plug into your TV. Usually, you’ll need at least 1–2 HDMI or AV cables to attach a cable box or media player.

You do not need to turn off power at the circuit when you install an in-wall power extender since you aren’t connecting it to any existing wires.

Be sure to put the cords through the receptacles before you screw the receptacles in, or else you won’t be able to pull them through easily.

You do not need to pre-drill holes before screwing in the receptacles.

Some mounts may have X-shaped brackets. Don’t overtighten the screws, or you could damage your TV.

Ask a helper to support the TV while you tighten the brackets to the wall mount so you don’t have to do it on your own. Take a few steps back from your TV to see if it’s level. If it isn’t, try grabbing the sides of your TV and rotating it to make the adjustment. If the TV doesn’t move at all, loosen the screws on the bracket or mount before moving the TV again.

Your TV won’t have power until you plug the lower receptacle into another wall outlet.

The electricity from the existing wall outlet will travel through the connectors inside the wall and provide power to the upper receptacle.

Keep a small shelf or stand under your TV to hold your devices and hide the lower receptacle from view.