How to Mount a TV on the Wall Without Studs – Detailed Guide

In this article, we’ll go over the four main techniques for mounting a TV without studs.

If you have wood studs, mounting a TV on drywall is simple—just screw into the stud. However, what if you don’t? Learn how to install a TV on a wall without studs.

You’ve made the decision to hang a TV on the wall, but there isn’t a stud to provide you with a nice, secure anchor.

What do you do?

There are four main ways to wall mount a TV without studs:

1. Using anchors
2. Using a mounting plate
3. Using a ceiling mount
4. Using a no-stud mount

You must first determine how much weight your drywall can support before deciding which one to use.

Once you are aware of this, you can choose the screw, bolt, or anchor that will allow you to support the greatest amount of weight.

There is only TV left to choose from at this point.

Do you know that a 50″ TV typically weighs around 28 lbs?

An 85″ flat-screen TV would require almost 125 lbs of support to be hung on the wall.

Let’s examine each of these components to determine how to mount a television on a wall without studs.

1. Using Anchors

Anchors are your best friend when it comes to hanging heavy items and drywall.

They are made to distribute the strain of resisting a pulling force from the minuscule, weak hole you drilled into the nearby plasterboard.

Consider Drywall Thickness

You should also keep in mind that there are different thicknesses of drywall. You can get drywall in thicknesses ranging from 1/4″ to 5/8″; the difference in load-bearing is substantial.

A force of 1.2 to 1.6 pounds per square foot can be withstood by the thinnest drywall. Without any additional support, that is.

You can anticipate 5/8′ drywall to support 1.5 to 2.1 pounds per square foot without any additional support.

The amount of weight that the wall can support will then need to be taken into account in light of the shear force and tension.

As opposed to tension, which is an outward force perpendicular to the wall, shear force is the downward force that the object you are hanging from the wall applies.

Think about anchors and how you can use them to mount a huge TV on a wall without using any studs.

What Are Anchors?

When mounting a TV on a wall without studs to add extra support, wall anchors are the best choice because they distribute the load and give you more options.

Anchors have a mechanism that allows them to spread out behind the wall, unlike screws, which can easily be pulled out of drywall. The anchor can’t pull free because of this.

They are obviously only as good as the drywall’s strength and the spread’s diameter inside the wall.

This is how they work…

How Do Drywall Anchors Work?

To start, avoid using inexpensive plastic wall anchors.

They are not appropriate for something as heavy and pricey as a TV and are only useful when hanging small, inexpensive pictures.

Molly bolts and toggle anchors have a sleeve or folding metal arm pushed through the wall that expands when tightened and are made to hold heavier objects.

The metal sheet that has been expanded is pulled flush against the interior of the wall. With the load dispersed over a larger area, this stops the anchor from pulling through the hole.

A comfortable 50 pounds can be supported by these anchors.

Wait a second, you say to yourself. If one bolt can support 50 pounds, surely a small 25-pound TV can too.

Not so fast!

You don’t take into account the thickness (amount of tension) that the drywall can support or the shear force that could pull the anchor out of the wall.

Think about how much easier it is to hold a small weight in your hand when it is close to your body than when it is held wide and farther away.

That is shear force, and it can make it much harder to keep your TV in place.

What Types of Anchors Are There?

The weight that a drywall anchor can support has fortunately been increased cleverly by engineers. Take Molly bolts for example.

Molly Bolts

Molly bolts come in two varieties. The one with the point can be hammered into a wall, while the one without the point is better suited for drywall installations.

A hole must be drilled in the wall for the non-pointed Molly bolt before you can insert the skinny bolt.

You tighten it, and when it’s inside the wall, a split sleeve that covers the threads opens. The sleeve opens up as the thread pulls the bolt inward toward the interior of the wall.

When it is tight, all that is left is a wide piece of metal that the load will pull against.

Toggle Anchors

The toggle bolt, also known as a toggle anchor, resembles a regular screw except that it has a butterfly toggle on the end.

You should drill a hole that is big enough for the toggle to fit through when it is folded up against the bolt.

The spring-loaded wings snap open after passing through the wall, preventing further passage.

Which Anchors to Use Without Wall Studs?

Molly and toggle bolts work best as wall anchors for drywall without wall studs.

You can securely use a few of them to hold a TV on the wall, provided the anchors don’t weigh more than the wall and the bolt can support.

2. Using a Mounting Plate

The carrying capacity necessary to securely mount a TV on the wall can be increased by combining drywall anchors with a mounting plate.

With the aid of toggle or Molly bolts, the mounting plate will be fastened to the drywall. After that, the TV will be fastened to the mounting plate.

Metal or plywood can be used to make mounting plates. You can paint them and shape them to fit inside the TV’s frame to make them blend in and not take away from the décor.

A wall plate works well because it secures the TV by dispersing its weight over a larger area of drywall.

3. Using a Ceiling Mount

If your TV is particularly heavy, another option is to mount it on the ceiling.

The joists and beams in your ceiling are strong enough to support the weight of a large TV, despite the fact that this option may seem unusual.

In comparison to the weight they can support, using a long lag bolt to access the beams is only a minor inconvenience.

4. Using a No Stud Mount

What You Will Need:

• Pencil or masking tape
• Tape measure
• Level
• Hammer
• Philips head or flathead screwdriver
• TV mount
• mounting hardware (screws, spacers, etc.) that is included)

How to Mount Your TV

• Place the wall mount in the desired position
• Nail in one end of the wall mount, while maintaining a hand on the center base
• Use a level to straighten
• Hammer in the opposite end after it is level. Begin with the farthest nails first
• Hammer in remaining nails (some nails may require more force)
• Fasten VESA bracket to your TV (fits VESA spacing 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600mm)
• Set the tilt by attaching the included spacers to the lower VESA holes on your TV
• Pull cord to unlatch spring lock
• Hang your TV on the wall mount *Recommended to have a friend to help*
• Secure the TV in place by pulling the cord, which re-latches the spring lock

What to Keep in Mind

When your walls lack studs, anchors and mounting plates are an efficient and generally simple way to keep TV wall mounts in place. While the process is generally straightforward, here are some things you should keep in mind:

1. Be Aware of Your TV’s Weight

Make certain that the wall anchor screws you select can support the weight of your TV. Although weights can vary from model to model, a 32-inch television typically weighs between 25 and 30 lbs. A bigger screen will therefore weigh more, according to that. Always verify the anchors’ load capacities before using them.

The best course of action is to lift your device carefully as well. Even a flat-screen TV can weigh a lot. Therefore, it is highly advised that you enlist the help of a friend to help you mount the device.

2. Be Aware of Your Wall’s Condition

When mounting a TV on old, deteriorating drywall or plaster, even the strongest wall anchors won’t make much of a difference. Walls that seem flimsy may actually bow and bend under the weight of your TV, possibly breaking at some point.

3. Use the Right Mount for Your TV

To guarantee that wall mounts will work with any TV, the VESA pattern creates a universal pattern. Mounts, on the other hand, are rated to fit particular TV sizes and weights. For instance, a wall mount designed for a 32-inch TV would not be able to support the weight and size of a 40-inch TV. Making the wrong mount choice could result in both a damaged wall and your monitor falling to the floor. To solve this issue, visit our blog on how to pick a TV wall mount.

4. Consider the Mount Type

For a studless wall, tilting and fixed mounts are the best options for most anchor options. While tilting mounts let you adjust the vertical angle of the mounted TV, fixed mounts are static and fixed in one place. Toggle bolts and other wall anchors typically shouldn’t be used with full-motion mounts. Naturally, the weight of these mounts increases because they have arms and swivels that enable complete angle adjustments. Your anchor points and the wall itself may become more stressed as a result of the constant movement that comes with adjusting your mounted TV.

Do not be concerned if your wall lacks studs. For mounting your TV, you still have lots of options. It never hurts to call a specialist who knows how to mount a TV on the wall without studs if you are unsure or hesitant about these alternatives. Instead of having a broken TV and damaged drywall, it is preferable to spend a little more money and ask for assistance.

You’ll need to select the ideal location and set the TV’s height after deciding on the ideal mounting bracket. When mounting a TV to the wall, careful consideration must be given to the placement of the TV on the wall because later adjustments, even with an articulated wall mount, will be difficult.

5. Choose the Correct TV Position

The first step is to choose the perfect wall. It should ideally be conveniently situated with lots of room and seating. Even more important than the comfort is making sure the wall has access to all of the power outlets necessary for your TV

The next step is to select the appropriate mounting height, which is typically at or just below eye level when you are seated with the TV. One person can hold the TV while the other checks the angle and position, so having a helper is very helpful in this situation. You can then indicate when you want to attach the mount.

Position the TV so that the center of the screen is roughly at eye level and at the proper height. (Here, having a second helper who can check the comfort and angle while you and the other helper hold the actual TV is helpful.) The lower right or left corner can be marked with a pencil or piece of masking tape to indicate the desired location.

Conclusion:

The majority of TV mounts are made for drywall, which makes them simple DIY projects but obviously necessitates the presence of studs. The vertical wood pieces that make up the wall frame are called wall studs. Since drywall is generally brittle, trying to support your mount and TV solely on it could result in a hole in the wall and a TV that is lying on the floor. The studs act as a reliable anchor point, keeping your mount and TV in place.

Unfortunately, the wall you choose for your TV might not have studs depending on your living arrangement and the structure of your house. The good news is that you can still mount your TV using the four methods mentioned above even though the walls are hollow. I hope you find this post to be useful.

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