How to Hide TV Wires and Cables Behind Your Wall

Running cables inside the wall is the cleanest look, but it requires planning before you mount

The simplest way to hide TV wires is to run them through the wall behind your mounted television. This means drilling a hole above and below where the TV will sit, then feeding cables through the wall cavity to outlets elsewhere in the room or to a basement below. The result is a wall with no visible cords—just the TV and its mount.

Before you drill, you need to know what's already inside your wall: electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC ducts, and sometimes gas lines. Hitting any of these creates a safety hazard and a costly repair. You also need to decide where your cables will exit—usually at a lower outlet or behind furniture—and whether you'll hire an electrician or do the work yourself.

This approach works best when you plan it before mounting the TV. If your TV is already on the wall, you have other options that don't require drilling into studs.

Key Takeaways

• Drilling through drywall is safe, but drilling through studs or into existing wiring and plumbing is not—use a stud finder and consider hiring an electrician to locate utilities first.
• You need an outlet or cable box location below the TV to run wires to; running cables to a basement or adjacent room requires planning the hole placement carefully.
• In-wall rated cables (marked CL2 or CL3) are required by code in most places and cost more than standard cables, but they won't catch fire if they short.
• If your TV is already mounted, surface-mounted raceways, cord covers, or furniture placement can hide wires without drilling.
• Hiring a licensed electrician adds cost but eliminates the risk of hitting utilities and ensures the work meets local electrical code.

What's inside your wall and how to avoid it

Drywall itself is safe to drill through. The danger is what lies behind it: electrical wiring (usually running horizontally along studs about 12 inches from the top or bottom of the wall), water pipes, and sometimes gas lines. Hitting live electrical wire can kill you. Hitting water pipes floods your wall and damages the house. Hitting a gas line is a fire hazard.

Start with a stud finder—a handheld device that detects the wooden studs behind drywall. Most studs run vertically every 16 inches. Electrical wiring typically runs along the sides of studs or through the middle of the wall cavity, so avoid drilling directly into studs. Drill in the center of the cavity between studs when possible.

For extra safety, hire a licensed electrician to locate utilities before you drill. They use a tool called a wire tracer or circuit tracer to map electrical lines, and they can identify plumbing and gas lines visually. This costs $100 to $300 but eliminates guesswork. Many electricians will also drill the holes for you as part of the service.

Choosing the right cables and conduit

Standard HDMI, coaxial, and power cables are not rated for in-wall installation. If they short or overheat inside a wall cavity, they can smolder and catch fire. Building codes in most of South Carolina require CL2 or CL3 rated cables for anything running inside a wall. These cables have fire-resistant jackets and cost $15 to $40 per cable, compared to $5 to $15 for standard cables.

You can also run cables through conduit—a plastic or metal tube that protects them and makes it easier to pull cables through tight spaces. Flexible conduit (often called "smurf tube") is easier to work with than rigid conduit and costs about $0.50 to $1.00 per foot. Conduit is optional if you use CL2/CL3 cables, but it adds protection and makes future cable changes simpler.

Check the label on any cable before you buy it. It should say "CL2" or "CL3" somewhere on the packaging or the cable itself. If it doesn't, it's not rated for in-wall use.

Planning the hole locations and cable path

Measure the distance from the center of your TV mount to the outlet or cable box where wires will exit. Mark this spot on the wall with a pencil. Then mark where you want the hole above the TV (usually 6 to 12 inches above the mount) and where it will exit below (usually near an existing outlet or behind furniture).

Use the stud finder to confirm there are no studs directly in line between these two points. If a stud is in the way, shift your marks left or right by a few inches. Once you've confirmed the path is clear, drill a small pilot hole (about 1/4 inch) first. This lets you check for obstacles before committing to a larger hole.

Drill the final hole slightly larger than your cables need—usually 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. A hole saw (a circular drill bit) makes a cleaner hole than a spade bit. Feed the cables through slowly, and use a fish tape (a flexible wire tool) if the path is long or has bends. Fish tape costs $10 to $30 and makes pulling cables much easier.

Running cables and finishing the wall

Once the hole is drilled, gather all your cables together and wrap them loosely with electrical tape or a cable tie. Do not pull them tight—cables need room to bend without kinking. Feed them through the hole slowly, using the fish tape to guide them if needed.

At the top hole (behind the TV), use a low-voltage bracket or in-wall rated outlet box to organize where cables enter the wall. This keeps them from getting pinched or damaged. At the bottom hole, do the same—use a bracket or outlet box to guide cables to their final destination.

Once cables are in place, seal the holes with caulk or foam sealant to prevent drafts and pests. Paint over the caulk to match your wall. If you used conduit, you can leave it visible or hide it behind a trim ring (a plastic collar that sits flush against the wall).

When drilling isn't an option: surface alternatives

If your TV is already mounted or you don't want to drill, surface-mounted raceways are the next best choice. These are plastic or metal channels that attach to the wall surface and hold cables inside. They cost $20 to $60 and come in white, black, and wood finishes to match your décor. Raceways are visible but much neater than loose cables, and they protect wires from damage.

Cord covers are flat plastic channels that stick to the wall with adhesive or clips. They're cheaper ($5 to $20) but less durable than raceways and work best for short runs. Fabric cable sleeves bundle cables together and can be painted or covered to blend with your wall.

You can also hide cables behind furniture, curtains, or a media console positioned below the TV. This works if your room layout allows it, and it requires no installation at all.

Hiring an electrician versus doing it yourself

If you're comfortable with basic tools and confident about locating utilities, you can drill and run cables yourself. The total cost is usually $30 to $100 in materials (cables, conduit, caulk, and hardware). If you're uncertain about what's in your wall or uncomfortable drilling, hire a licensed electrician.

An electrician will locate utilities, drill the holes, run the cables, and ensure everything meets local code. The cost is typically $200 to $500 depending on how far cables need to run and how many holes are needed. Some electricians charge a flat rate; others charge hourly. Get a quote before work begins.

In South Carolina, electricians must be licensed by the state. You can verify a contractor's license through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Hiring a licensed electrician also means the work is insured and backed by a warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a power cable through the wall?

No. Power cables (the cord that plugs into the outlet) should never run inside a wall. They generate heat and are not rated for in-wall use. Instead, install a new outlet behind the TV using an electrician, or run only signal cables (HDMI, coaxial, ethernet) through the wall and plug the power cord into an outlet at the TV location.

What if I hit something while drilling?

Stop immediately. If you hit a water pipe, turn off the water main and call a plumber. If you hit an electrical wire, do not touch it—call an electrician. If you hit a gas line, leave the area, call 911, and then call your gas company. These are serious hazards and require professional repair.

Do I need a permit to drill through my wall?

Most residential TV installations do not require a permit in South Carolina, but running new electrical outlets or hiring an electrician may. Check with your local building department before starting. If you hire a licensed electrician, they will know whether a permit is needed and will handle it.

How do I hide cables if I rent?

Renters should avoid drilling into walls. Use surface-mounted raceways, cord covers, or furniture placement instead. These options are removable and won't damage the wall. Talk to your landlord before mounting the TV itself to confirm it's allowed.

Can I run cables through the attic or basement instead of the wall?

Yes, if your TV is on an exterior wall and you have access to the space behind it. This avoids drilling through finished drywall and is often easier than running cables vertically. You'll still need to drill one hole to bring cables from the attic or basement into the room where the TV is mounted, but the main cable run stays hidden.