Change Your Chromecast's WiFi Network in Three Steps

To change which WiFi network your Chromecast connects to, you need to reset its connection and set it up again with the new network. The fastest way is to use the Google Home app on your phone: open the app, find your Chromecast device, tap the settings gear icon, select "Wi-Fi", and choose "Forget this network". Then set it up fresh by tapping the "+" button, selecting "Set up device", and following the on-screen prompts to connect to your new WiFi network. The whole process takes about five minutes.

If you do not have the Google Home app installed, you can also reset the Chromecast using the physical button on the device itself. Hold the button on the back or side of your Chromecast for 10 to 15 seconds until the light blinks orange, then release. This erases all settings, and you can then set it up again with your new network using any phone or tablet with the Google Home app.

Key Takeaways

  • The Google Home app is the standard way to change your Chromecast's WiFi network without unplugging the device.
  • You must forget the old network before connecting to a new one — Chromecast does not allow you to switch networks directly.
  • If you lose access to the Google Home app, you can reset the device using the physical button and set it up again from scratch.
  • After you forget the network, your Chromecast will not work until you complete the setup process with a new WiFi network.
  • The setup process requires a phone or tablet with the Google Home app and a working connection to the WiFi network you want to use.

Using the Google Home App to Switch Networks

Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet and look for your Chromecast device in the list. If you have more than one device, the name will usually be something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom" — whatever you named it during setup. Tap and hold on the device card until a menu appears, then tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Scroll down to the "Wi-Fi" section and tap it. You will see the name of the network your Chromecast is currently connected to. Tap "Forget this network" and confirm when the app asks if you are sure. Your Chromecast will disconnect when ready and will no longer respond to commands until you reconnect it.

Now tap the "+" button at the bottom of the Google Home app home screen to start a new setup. Select "Set up device", then "Set up a new device". The app will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When it finds yours, tap it and follow the on-screen steps to connect it to your new WiFi network. You will need to enter your WiFi password, so have that ready.

Resetting Chromecast with the Physical Button

If you cannot access the Google Home app or your phone is not nearby, you can reset your Chromecast using the button on the device itself. The button location varies by model: on the Chromecast with Google TV, it is on the back of the device. On older Chromecast models, it is usually on the side. Look for a small recessed button that you may need a paperclip or pen to press.

Hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds. The light on your Chromecast will turn orange and blink, which means the reset is in progress. Keep holding until the light stops blinking and turns white again. This takes about 30 seconds total. Once the light is white and steady, the reset is complete and all settings have been erased.

After the reset, you will need to set up your Chromecast again using the Google Home app. Grab your phone or tablet, open the app, and follow the setup steps described in the previous section. Your Chromecast will appear in the device search, and you can connect it to your new WiFi network.

What to Do If Your Chromecast Does Not Appear in the App

If you forget the network but your Chromecast does not show up in the Google Home app when you try to set it up again, make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network you want your Chromecast to use. The app needs to be on that network to find and communicate with the device during setup.

If your phone is on the correct network and the Chromecast still does not appear, try restarting both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to turn white. Then close and reopen the Google Home app on your phone. Tap the "+" button again and search for your device.

If the device still does not appear after a restart, perform a factory reset using the physical button again. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds until the light blinks orange. This will clear any stuck settings that might be preventing the device from being found during setup.

Connecting to a 5GHz or 2.4GHz Network

Most modern WiFi routers broadcast both a 5GHz network and a 2.4GHz network, sometimes with the same name or sometimes with different names (like "MyNetwork-5G" and "MyNetwork-2.4G"). During setup, the Google Home app will show you all available networks. Choose the one you want your Chromecast to connect to.

If your router broadcasts both bands under the same name, your phone will automatically connect to the faster 5GHz band, but your Chromecast may connect to the 2.4GHz band instead, which has better range. This is normal and usually works fine. If you want to force your Chromecast to use a specific band, check your router settings to see if you can separate the network names, then set up your Chromecast again and choose the band you prefer.

Some older Chromecast models only support 2.4GHz, so if you have a very new router that broadcasts only 5GHz, your Chromecast will not be able to connect. Check your device's specifications to confirm which bands it supports before changing your router settings.

Troubleshooting WiFi Connection Problems After Switching Networks

After you switch your Chromecast to a new network, it may take a minute or two to fully connect and appear as "Online" in the Google Home app. If it stays "Offline" for more than five minutes, the most common cause is an incorrect WiFi password. Go back into the app, forget the network again, and repeat the setup process. Pay close attention to capital letters and special characters when you enter the password.

If the password is correct but your Chromecast still will not connect, check whether your router has a feature that blocks devices from accessing the local network. Some routers call this "AP Isolation" or "Guest Network Mode". If this is turned on, your phone will not be able to control your Chromecast even if it is connected to the same network. Log into your router settings and disable this feature, then try setting up your Chromecast again.

Another common issue is that your new WiFi network has a different security setting than your old one. Most home networks use WPA2 or WPA3 security, which Chromecast supports. If your network uses WEP or an older security standard, your Chromecast will not connect. Check your router settings and update the security type to WPA2 or WPA3 if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my apps and settings when I change the WiFi network?

No. When you forget the network and reconnect to a new one, your apps, account information, and saved preferences stay on the device. Only the WiFi connection itself is reset. Your Chromecast will still be signed into your Google account and all your streaming apps will still be there.

Can I change the WiFi network without using the Google Home app?

Not directly. The Google Home app is the standard way to manage your Chromecast's WiFi settings. If you do not have the app, you can reset the device using the physical button and then set it up again with the app on any phone or tablet.

What happens if I forget the network but do not set up a new one right away?

Your Chromecast will sit in a disconnected state and will not respond to any commands. You can leave it unplugged until you are ready to set it up again, or you can set it up when ready to a temporary network and change it later.

How long does it take to switch WiFi networks on Chromecast?

The entire process usually takes three to five minutes from start to finish. Most of that time is spent entering your WiFi password and waiting for the device to connect and read any pending updates.

Will my Chromecast work on a guest WiFi network?

It depends on your router settings. Many guest networks are set up to block devices from communicating with each other, which prevents your phone from controlling your Chromecast. Check your router settings to see if you can allow local network access on the guest network, or connect your Chromecast to your main network instead.