Start with the basics: restart your Chromecast and router

The fastest fix for a Chromecast that won't connect to WiFi is to restart both devices. Unplug your Chromecast from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. While it restarts, unplug your router for 30 seconds as well. This clears temporary connection errors that block most devices from joining your network.

Wait for your Chromecast to fully boot—you'll see the Google logo appear on your TV screen, then the setup screen. Your router typically takes two to three minutes to come back online. Once both are running again, try connecting your Chromecast to WiFi through the Google Home app on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your Chromecast and router together by unplugging both for 30 seconds, which fixes most connection problems.
  • Check that your Chromecast and phone are on the same WiFi network—they cannot connect if one is on 5GHz and the other is on 2.4GHz.
  • Move your Chromecast closer to your router or remove physical obstacles like metal objects and microwaves that block WiFi signals.
  • Forget the WiFi network on your Chromecast and reconnect by entering your password again, which resolves outdated or corrupted connection settings.
  • If your router uses a hidden network name (SSID), you must type the exact name and password manually in the Google Home app instead of selecting it from a list.

Check that your phone and Chromecast are on the same WiFi band

Many routers broadcast two separate networks: one on 5GHz (faster but shorter range) and one on 2.4GHz (slower but travels farther). Your phone might be connected to 5GHz while your Chromecast only supports 2.4GHz, or vice versa. Open your phone's WiFi settings and look at the network name you're connected to. If it says something like "NetworkName-5G" or "NetworkName-5GHz", you're on the 5GHz band.

Check your router's label or login page to see what networks it broadcasts. Most Chromecast models work only on 2.4GHz. If your router has separate network names for each band, connect your phone to the 2.4GHz network (usually labeled without "5G" in the name) before trying to set up your Chromecast again. If your router combines both bands under one name, you may need to log into your router settings and disable 5GHz temporarily while you set up the Chromecast.

Move your Chromecast closer to your router

WiFi signals weaken over distance and through walls. If your Chromecast is in a bedroom far from your router, or separated by multiple walls, it may not have a strong enough signal to connect. Try moving your Chromecast to within 10 feet of your router with as few obstacles as possible between them. This is temporary—once it connects, you can move it back to your TV.

Also check for interference from other devices. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and metal objects can block or disrupt 2.4GHz signals. Move your Chromecast away from these devices during setup. Once your Chromecast is connected and working, you can experiment with moving it back to your preferred location to find the best balance between signal strength and placement.

Forget the network and reconnect with your password

If your Chromecast has connected to your WiFi before but suddenly stopped working, the saved connection settings may be corrupted. Open the Google Home app on your phone, select your Chromecast device, tap the settings icon (gear), scroll down to "WiFi", and tap "Forget network". This removes the saved password and connection data.

After forgetting the network, go back to the main Google Home screen and tap "Set up device" to reconnect. Select your WiFi network from the list and enter your password exactly as it is—passwords are case-sensitive. If you're unsure of your password, check your router's label or log into your router's admin page. Once you've entered the password correctly, your Chromecast should connect within 30 seconds.

Enter your network name and password manually if your network is hidden

Some routers are set to hide their network name (called the SSID). If you don't see your network listed in the Google Home app, your router may be hidden. During setup, look for an option that says "Can't find your network?" or "Enter network name manually". Tap it and type your exact network name and password.

Make sure you type the network name with the correct capitalization and spacing—for example, "MyWiFi" is different from "mywifi". If you're not sure of the exact name, check your router's label or log into your router's settings page. Hidden networks require manual entry every time, so if you set this up on your phone, you'll need to do it again on any other device you want to cast to.

Check your router's security settings and password

Your router's security type affects whether your Chromecast can connect. Most modern Chromecast models support WPA2 and WPA3 security, which are the standard on newer routers. If your router is set to WEP or an older security standard, your Chromecast may not recognize it as a valid network. Log into your router's admin page (usually found on the router's label) and check the security settings under "WiFi" or "Wireless".

Also verify that your WiFi password is correct and doesn't contain special characters that might cause problems. Some routers have trouble with passwords that include symbols like &, %, or #. If your password contains unusual characters, try changing it to one with only letters and numbers, then reconnect your Chromecast. Write down the new password so you don't forget it when you need to connect other devices.

Restart the Google Home app and check for software updates

Sometimes the Google Home app itself has a temporary glitch that prevents it from communicating with your Chromecast. Close the app completely (swipe it away from your recent apps list on Android, or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone), wait 10 seconds, then open it again. This forces the app to refresh its connection to your Chromecast.

Also check that your Google Home app is up to date. Open your phone's app store (Google Play Store on Android or App Store on iPhone), search for "Google Home", and tap "Update" if one is available. Outdated versions of the app sometimes have trouble connecting to Chromecast devices. After updating, restart the app and try connecting again. If your Chromecast itself needs a software update, the Google Home app will usually prompt you to install it during setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Chromecast show "No Internet" even though my phone has WiFi?

Your Chromecast and phone may be on different WiFi networks or bands. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If your router broadcasts separate 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks, make sure your Chromecast is on 2.4GHz. You can also restart both devices and try reconnecting.

Can I use a guest network or public WiFi with Chromecast?

Chromecast works on guest networks if they use WPA2 or WPA3 security. Public WiFi networks that require you to log in through a web page (like at a coffee shop) usually don't work with Chromecast because the device can't complete the login process. Stick to home networks or guest networks you control.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the label on the back or bottom of your router—many routers print the default password there. If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase all your custom settings. Alternatively, log into your router's admin page from a computer connected to the network to view or change the password.

Does Chromecast work on 5GHz WiFi?

Most Chromecast models only support 2.4GHz. Some newer models like Chromecast with Google TV support both bands, but they still default to 2.4GHz during setup. Check your device's specifications or the box it came in to confirm. If your router combines both bands under one network name, the Chromecast will automatically use 2.4GHz.

How long should I wait before my Chromecast connects?

After entering your password, your Chromecast should connect within 30 seconds to one minute. If it's still trying to connect after two minutes, the password is likely incorrect or the signal is too weak. Go back and re-enter your password, or move the Chromecast closer to your router and try again.