Your Chromecast won't connect, has disappeared from the Cast menu, or leaves you staring at a black screen. Start with a power restart, then jump to the checks that match what you're seeing. The fixes below cover Chromecast 2nd generation, 3rd generation, Ultra, Chromecast Audio, Chromecast with Google TV, and Google TV Streamer, with separate instructions where they differ.
Start with a proper restart
Start here when your Chromecast stops responding or casting won't start. A power restart works across all the models covered here.
Unplug the device's power cable. Pulling it out of the HDMI port alone does not reboot it.
Wait one minute.
Reconnect the power cable.
For a Chromecast without a remote or Chromecast Audio, an alternative is to open Google Home using the linked Google Account.
Open Home > All devices.
Press and hold the device tile.
Select Settings > More settings > Reboot.
On Chromecast with Google TV, use the onscreen Settings > System > Restart > Restart instead.
On Google TV Streamer, select All settings > System > Restart.
Check power and HDMI for a black screen
These checks address low-power warnings, repeated restarts, and a missing picture.
For Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, connect the supplied power adapter and cable to a working wall outlet.
To reset the power connection, disconnect the cable from both the device and adapter.
Wait five seconds.
Reconnect the adapter end.
Reconnect the device end.
Remove any USB-C hub or switch between the power adapter and streaming device.
Test with the supplied power cable connected directly.
Use the TV's input control to select the HDMI port containing your Chromecast or Streamer.
Reseat the HDMI connection firmly.
If the screen stays black, try another HDMI port.
If that fails, test the device on another TV.
For a white device LED with a black screen, begin the HDMI handshake reset by unplugging the TV's power.
Disconnect the streaming device from HDMI.
Disconnect its power.
Reconnect the TV's power and turn it on.
Power the streaming device with HDMI still disconnected.
Wait 30 seconds.
Reconnect HDMI.
Select that HDMI input on the TV.
If you see an HDCP error, disconnect the streaming device from the TV, receiver, or soundbar.
Restart the streaming device.
Restart the equipment it connects to.
Reconnect them securely.
For Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer connected through a receiver or soundbar, test a direct connection to the TV.
If HDMI problems persist, install the TV manufacturer's available firmware update using its documented update procedure.
Get both devices onto the same Wi-Fi network
A phone or computer on a different network cannot discover the Chromecast through the shared home network.
On Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, check the receiver's network under All settings > Network & Internet.
For a Chromecast without a remote or Chromecast Audio, open Google Home > Home > All devices.
Press and hold the device tile.
Check its network under Settings > Device information > Wi-Fi.
Connect your phone or computer to that same network.
Test internet access on another device connected to the network.
If that device also cannot get online, troubleshoot the router or contact your internet provider.
To restart the router, disconnect its power, including any backup batteries.
Wait two minutes.
Reconnect the router's power.
Wait for internet access to return before testing the Chromecast again.
For better reception, move the router within approximately 20 feet of the streaming device.
Move the Chromecast away from other electronics and cables.
If your network isolates devices, disable Access Point (AP) isolation, Client Isolation, or the equivalent guest-network isolation setting using the router manufacturer's instructions. Your sending device and Chromecast need to reach each other.
After changing your router, network name, password, or internet provider, repeat setup in Google Home through Add > Device.
Use a supported home network instead of a hotel, school, or business network that requires a browser sign-in.
Restore discovery in Google Home
If Google Home cannot find the Chromecast, run through these phone and tablet checks.
- 1.Use Google Home on Android 9.0 or later, or an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17.0 or later.
- 2.Turn the phone's Wi-Fi off and back on.
- 3.On iPhone or iPad, turn on Bluetooth in Settings.
- 4.On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and enable Google Home and each app you use to cast.
- 5.Dismiss Google Home from the recent-apps or app-switcher screen, then reopen it and retry setup.
- 6.If discovery still fails, retry setup using Google Home on another compatible phone or tablet.
Fix a failure in one streaming app
Disconnect a stuck casting session in the sending app through Cast > Disconnect.
Reconnect through Cast > the intended receiver.
Install the sending app's available update from its listing in the Google Play Store or App Store.
On Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, force-stop a failing installed app through Settings > Apps > Recently opened apps > the affected app > Force stop > OK.
Reopen the app.
Retry playback.
If it still fails, open the app's settings through Settings > Apps > the affected app. Use See all apps if it is missing from the initial screen.
Select Clear cache > Ok.
For a further app-specific fix, select Settings > Apps > See all apps > the affected app > Clear data. This clears the app's stored state.
Reopen the app.
Sign in again if prompted.
For Netflix on Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, use the installed Netflix app with the device remote. Netflix limits mobile casting to its listed compatible receivers.
Check for a Google TV system update under All settings > System > About > System update.
Follow the onscreen instructions to install an available update.
During a setup firmware update, keep power and networking connected until it finishes, usually in 10 to 12 minutes; casting is unavailable during the update.
Isolate casting problems in Chrome
These checks address desktop casting failures when mobile casting still works.
Test casting from a compatible mobile app such as YouTube. If that works, focus on the computer and browser.
Restart the computer.
Reopen Chrome.
On Windows or Mac, check for a Chrome update through More > Help > About Google Chrome.
Select Relaunch when the update completes.
On Linux, update Chrome through your package manager instead.
Open Chrome's built-in More > Cast, save, and share > Cast… menu.
Select your receiver.
If it still fails, disconnect the computer's VPN or proxy using its provider's controls.
Retry casting on the receiver's local network.
On macOS 15 or later, enable Google Chrome under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network.
If the casting website requests local-network access, grant permission through View site information > Site settings > Local network access.
For desktop casting without TV audio, select Sources > Cast tab in the Cast dialog instead of Cast screen.
Recover remote control and sound
If the TV interface works but the Voice Remote does not, try two fresh 1.5 V AAA batteries.
For a Chromecast Voice Remote that needs pairing, hold Back and Home together for three seconds.
Complete pairing on the TV.
To use your phone as a replacement remote, power on the TV and streaming device.
Tap the device in Google Home. Android displays the remote controls.
On iPhone or iPad, tap Open remote.
If the picture works but sound does not, unmute the television using its original remote.
For a Chromecast without a remote, open Google Home > Home > All devices to test stereo output.
Press and hold the device tile.
Select Settings, then under Sound settings select Surround sound > Stereo only.
On Chromecast with Google TV, open All Settings > Display & Sound > Advanced sound settings > Surround sound format selection > Manual > Supported formats.
Select only formats supported by your connected equipment.
If remote control still fails, remove the pairing through Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Voice Remote > Forget > Yes.
Pair the remote again; for persistent sound trouble on Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, try connecting the streaming device directly to the TV.
Save a factory reset for last
A factory reset erases the device's configuration and requires setup again, so choose the option for your model only after the relevant fixes above.
- 1.On Chromecast with Google TV or Streamer, open your profile, then select All settings > System > About > Factory Reset and complete the confirmation.
- 2.If Chromecast with Google TV's menus are inaccessible, keep it powered and connected to the TV. Hold its physical back button through the blinking yellow light, then release when the LED becomes solid white.
- 3.For Chromecast 2nd generation, 3rd generation, Ultra, or Chromecast Audio on its existing network, open Google Home > Home > All devices. Hold the device tile and select Settings > More > Factory reset > Factory reset.
- 4.If those cast-only models cannot be reached through Google Home, keep the device powered and hold its side button through orange blinking. Release when the LED becomes white.
- 5.After completing the reset for your model, set up the device again using Google Home on a compatible phone or tablet.
Get targeted help for persistent failures
Targeted support addresses unresolved model-specific, app, and hardware problems.
Open Google's Chromecast troubleshooter.
Select your symptom category.
Follow its model-specific instructions.
If one Google TV app keeps crashing, install its available update through the TV's Google Play Store > profile > Manage apps & games > Updates > Update all.
If the app still crashes after updating and force-stopping it, contact its developer through the official support channel.
For suspected hardware failure, open Warranty Checker from Google's warranty support page.
Sign in to your Google Account.
Check your device's warranty eligibility.
Select File a claim if Google offers that option for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a Chromecast from my computer?
No current supported desktop setup procedure exists. Use Google Home on Android 9.0 or later, or an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17.0 or later. After setup, you can cast from supported desktop Chrome.
Can Ethernet help if my Chromecast keeps losing Wi-Fi?
Yes. A wired connection bypasses the Wi-Fi link. Chromecast requires a model-compatible Ethernet power adapter, and Chromecast with Google TV requires a compatible USB-C adapter. Google TV Streamer has a built-in Ethernet port that connects directly to a router LAN port.
Does a factory reset roll back preview firmware?
No. Resetting does not immediately roll firmware back. On an enrolled cast-only Chromecast or Chromecast Audio with the control available, open Google Home > Home > All devices and hold the device tile. Select Settings > Device information > Preview Program > Leave program, then wait for the next production firmware.
Why won't my work computer cast when my phone can?
Organization-managed Chrome supports policies that disable casting or restrict destinations. Ask your administrator to review those settings. You cannot override an enforced policy yourself.