Casting from Chrome is a built-in feature that sends video, audio, or your entire screen to a Chromecast device, smart TV, or compatible speaker on the same Wi-Fi network

You do not need an app or extra software. Chrome has a Cast button built into the browser itself. When you click it, you choose which device to send to, and the content plays there instead of on your computer. The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where the button is.

Your computer and the device you are casting to must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are not connected to the same network, casting will not work. Once you start casting, you can close Chrome, minimize it, or even turn off your monitor — the content keeps playing on the TV or speaker.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast button is in the Chrome menu (three dots in the top right corner) under "Cast", or you can press Ctrl+M on Windows or Command+M on Mac to open it faster.
  • You can cast a single tab, an entire window, or your whole screen — each option appears when you click the Cast button.
  • Your computer and the Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Once casting starts, you can close Chrome or lock your computer and the content will keep playing on the TV or speaker.
  • If the Cast button does not appear, restart Chrome or check that your device is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.

Finding and Opening the Cast Button

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. You will see three vertical dots (called the menu button). Click on it. A dropdown menu appears. Look for the word "Cast" — it is usually near the top of the menu. Click "Cast".

A small window pops up showing all the Chromecast devices and compatible smart TVs on your network. If you do not see your device listed, make sure it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Wait a few seconds and the list will refresh.

If you use Chrome frequently, you can use the keyboard shortcut instead: press Ctrl+M on Windows or Command+M on Mac. This opens the Cast menu when ready without clicking through the menu button.

Choosing What to Cast

When you open the Cast menu, you will see three options at the top: "Cast tab", "Cast window", and "Cast entire screen". Each one sends something different to your TV or speaker.

Cast tab sends only the current browser tab. This is the most common choice. If you are watching a video on YouTube or Netflix, only that tab appears on your TV. Other tabs, notifications, and your taskbar stay on your computer screen. This is useful when you want to keep working or checking other things while the video plays.

Cast window sends an entire Chrome window to your TV, including all the tabs inside it. If you have multiple tabs open in that window, they all appear on the TV. This is less common but useful if you want to switch between tabs while casting.

Cast entire screen sends everything on your monitor — your desktop, all open windows, your taskbar, everything — to the TV. This is helpful when you want to show someone your whole screen or when you are presenting. Any movement on your computer shows up on the TV in real time.

Selecting Your Device and Starting to Cast

Once you choose what to cast (tab, window, or screen), the Cast menu shows a list of devices. Click on the device you want to cast to. The device name usually includes the room it is in — for example, "Living Room TV" or "Kitchen Speaker".

After you click the device, casting starts when ready. You will see a blue Cast icon appear in the address bar of Chrome, showing that casting is active. On your TV or speaker, the content appears within a few seconds.

If you are casting a tab with video or audio, you can control the volume from your computer or from the TV remote, depending on the device. Some smart TVs let you pause or play from the remote as well.

Stopping a Cast and Troubleshooting

To stop casting, click the Cast button again (or press Ctrl+M / Command+M). The Cast menu opens. At the top, you will see the device you are currently casting to with a blue dot next to it. Click on that device, and casting stops. The content stops playing on the TV or speaker.

If the Cast button does not appear in your Chrome menu, try restarting Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows and open it again. If it still does not show up, make sure your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Devices on different networks cannot see each other.

If your device does not appear in the Cast list even though it is powered on and on the same network, restart the Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then open the Cast menu again and wait a few seconds for the list to refresh.

If you are trying to cast to a smart TV (not a separate Chromecast device), make sure the TV has Chromecast built in or that you have a Chromecast device connected to it. Not all TVs support casting directly from Chrome.

What Happens When You Close Chrome

One of the useful things about casting is that you do not have to keep Chrome open. Once casting starts and the content is playing on your TV or speaker, you can close Chrome, minimize it, lock your computer, or even turn off your monitor. The content keeps playing.

This is different from mirroring your screen, where everything stops if you close the window. When you cast a tab or window, the Chromecast device takes over playing the content directly, so your computer does not have to stay active.

If you are casting your entire screen, closing Chrome will stop the cast because the screen itself is what is being sent. But if you are casting a single tab or window, you can close Chrome without interrupting playback.

Casting Audio to Speakers

You can also cast audio to compatible smart speakers on your network, like Google Home devices or other speakers with Chromecast built in. The process is the same: open the Cast menu, select the speaker, and the audio plays there instead of on your computer.

This works with music streaming services, podcasts, audiobooks, or any audio playing in a Chrome tab. You can close Chrome or switch to another tab, and the audio continues playing on the speaker.

Volume control works the same way — you can adjust it from your computer or from the speaker itself, depending on the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast?

Yes. Your computer and the Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks or one is not connected to Wi-Fi, casting will not work. Check your network settings to make sure both devices are on the same network name.

Can I cast from my phone or tablet to the same TV?

Yes. Android phones and tablets can cast using the same Cast button in Chrome or other apps. iPhones and iPads can cast video from some apps like YouTube and Netflix, though the process varies by app. All devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

What if my TV does not have Chromecast built in?

You can buy a separate Chromecast device and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV. Once it is set up and connected to Wi-Fi, you can cast to it the same way. Chromecast devices are inexpensive and work with any TV that has an HDMI input.

Can I cast while using a VPN?

Casting may not work if your computer is on a VPN and your Chromecast device is not, because they may not be able to see each other on the network. If you have trouble casting while using a VPN, try turning off the VPN temporarily. Some VPNs have settings that let you exclude local network traffic.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your internet connection directly. The Chromecast device streams the content from the internet itself, so your computer is just sending instructions. This means casting uses very little of your computer's internet bandwidth.