The Basic Steps to Cast Your Screen

To cast from your computer to a TV with Chromecast, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Cast, choose your Chromecast device from the list, and then select what you want to send — either your entire screen or just a single browser tab. Your TV will display whatever you're viewing within a few seconds. The connection stays active until you stop the cast or close the browser tab.

Your computer and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If your Chromecast device isn't showing up in the Cast menu, restart both your router and the Chromecast, then try again. Most casting problems come from devices being on different networks or the Chromecast losing power.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select Cast, pick your device, and choose whether to cast your entire screen or just your current tab.
  • Your computer and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • Casting your entire screen works for any process on your computer, while casting a tab only sends that browser window to your TV.
  • If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the Cast menu, restart your router and the Chromecast device, then check that both are on the same network.

Casting Your Entire Screen vs. a Single Tab

Chrome gives you two casting options. Cast your entire screen sends everything on your monitor to the TV — your desktop, any open windows, and any process you're running. This is useful when you want to show a presentation, share photos from your file explorer, or display something from a program that isn't a web browser. The TV shows exactly what you see, in real time.

Cast a tab sends only the contents of one browser tab to your TV while keeping other tabs and windows private on your computer. This is the better choice when you're browsing the web, watching a video in Chrome, or want to keep your desktop hidden. If you cast a tab and then switch to a different tab on your computer, the TV keeps showing the original tab — it doesn't follow your cursor.

To switch between the two, open the Cast menu again and select a different option. You can stop casting at any time by clicking the Cast icon and selecting Stop casting.

What to Do If Your Chromecast Doesn't Appear

If you don't see your Chromecast device in the Cast menu, the most common reason is that your computer and the Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. Some homes have a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network with different names — Chromecast devices usually work better on 2.4 GHz, so try connecting your computer to that band if you have the option.

If they're on the same network and the device still doesn't show up, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it's restarting, also restart your Wi-Fi router. Once both devices have restarted, open Chrome again and check the Cast menu. This solves the problem in most cases.

If your Chromecast is brand new, make sure it's been set up through the Google Home app first. The device won't appear in Chrome's Cast menu until it's connected to Wi-Fi and registered to your Google account.

Casting From Windows, Mac, and Linux

The casting process is identical on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers — you use the same Chrome menu and follow the same steps. The only difference is where the three-dot menu appears on your screen, but it's always in the top right corner of the Chrome window.

If you're using a different browser like Firefox, Edge, or Safari, you won't have access to Chrome's Cast feature. You would need to switch to Chrome to cast, or look for casting options built into that browser. Most other browsers don't have native casting to Chromecast, so Chrome remains the simplest option.

Controlling Playback While Casting

Once you're casting, your computer acts as a remote. If you're casting a video or music from a website, you can pause, play, adjust volume, and skip forward or backward using the controls on your computer — the TV will respond to those commands. The audio comes from your TV speakers, not your computer speakers, unless you've changed the audio output settings.

You can minimize the Chrome window or even lock your computer while casting continues. The cast will keep running in the background. However, if you close Chrome entirely, the cast stops. If you need to step away, it's safer to just pause the video rather than closing the browser.

Fixing Audio and Video Quality Issues

If the video is choppy, freezing, or the audio is out of sync, the problem is usually your Wi-Fi connection. Move your computer closer to the router, or move the Chromecast closer to the router. Walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. If possible, connect your computer to Wi-Fi with a strong signal — you can check this in your Wi-Fi settings.

If the picture looks blurry or pixelated, your internet speed may be too slow for the video quality you're trying to stream. Try pausing the video for 10 seconds to let it buffer, or lower the video quality in the website's settings if that option is available. Some websites let you choose between 480p, 720p, and 1080p — selecting a lower resolution can help if your connection is slow.

If audio is coming from your computer speakers instead of your TV, check your computer's audio output settings. On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and select your TV or Chromecast as the audio device. On Mac, go to System Preferences, select Sound, and choose your Chromecast from the Output tab.

Casting From Mobile Devices Instead

If you're having trouble casting from your computer, you can cast from an Android phone or tablet using the Google Home app or directly from compatible apps like YouTube and Google Photos. iPhones and iPads can also cast to Chromecast through AirPlay if your TV has an Apple TV or a compatible Chromecast device. The steps are different from computer casting, but the result is the same — your content appears on the TV.

Some people find it easier to cast from a phone because the connection is often more stable, and you don't have to worry about closing applications on your computer. If your computer casting keeps dropping, try casting from your phone instead to see if the problem is with your computer or your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from my computer while someone else is using the TV?

No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If someone else is already casting, you'll see their content on the TV. You can ask them to stop casting, and then you can start your own cast. The device that was casting first has priority until they stop.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses the same amount of bandwidth as watching the video on your computer would use. If you're streaming a 4K video, it will use more data than streaming a 480p video. Your internet speed matters more than the amount of data — if your connection is slow, the video will buffer or look pixelated, whether you're casting or not.

What if my computer goes to sleep while I'm casting?

The cast will stop if your computer enters sleep mode. To prevent this, go to your computer's power settings and set it to never sleep while plugged in, or disable sleep mode temporarily while you're casting. On Windows, search for "Power settings" and select "Change when the computer sleeps." On Mac, go to System Preferences and select Energy Saver.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No. One computer can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time. If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, you can choose which one to cast to from the Cast menu, but you can't send the same content to two TVs simultaneously from a single computer.

Why does my cast keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen because your Wi-Fi signal is weak or unstable. Move your computer and Chromecast closer to your router, or restart your router. If the problem continues, check whether other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth — streaming video on another device, for example, can cause casting to drop. You can also try restarting your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds.