Change your Chromecast's WiFi in the Google Home app

Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet. Tap the device you want to change, then tap the settings icon (gear) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Wi-Fi. The app will show your current network name. Tap Change, and the Chromecast will enter pairing mode — you'll see a light pulse on the device itself.

Your phone will now show available networks. Select the new WiFi network you want to use and enter the password. The Chromecast will connect and restart. This takes about 30 seconds. Once it's done, you're back in the Google Home app and the device is on your new network.

If the Chromecast doesn't appear in your app, make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as the Chromecast during setup. After the Chromecast connects to the new network, your phone can be on any network.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, select your Chromecast, tap settings, then tap Wi-Fi and choose Change.
  • Your phone must be on the same network as the Chromecast while you're changing it, but not after.
  • The Chromecast will restart after connecting to the new network, which takes about 30 seconds.
  • If the device doesn't show up in Google Home, factory reset it and start the pairing process over.
  • You can change networks as many times as you need — there's no limit to how often you switch.

What happens if you can't find the Chromecast in Google Home

If the Chromecast doesn't appear in your Google Home app after you've started the process, the device may not be in pairing mode. Unplug the Chromecast from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the light to pulse (usually 20 to 30 seconds), then try again in the Google Home app.

If it still doesn't show up, your phone and the Chromecast may not be on the same network. Check that your phone's WiFi is set to the same network the Chromecast is currently on. Once you see the device in Google Home, the rest of the process works as described above.

Switching to a 5GHz network

Some Chromecast models support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi bands. If your router broadcasts both, you'll see both network names in the list when you change WiFi. The 5GHz band is faster but has shorter range, so pick based on where your Chromecast sits in your home.

If you only see one network name in the list, your router is broadcasting on one band only, or your Chromecast model only supports 2.4GHz. Older Chromecast models do not support 5GHz, so check your device's specs if you're unsure.

Moving your Chromecast to a guest network

You can move your Chromecast to a guest network the same way you'd move it to any other network — just select the guest network name when prompted and enter its password. However, some guest networks isolate devices from each other, which means your phone won't be able to cast to the Chromecast once it's on that network.

Before you move it, check your router settings to see if the guest network allows device-to-device communication. If it doesn't, you'll need to move the Chromecast back to your main network or change the guest network settings.

Resetting your Chromecast if the WiFi change fails

If the Chromecast won't connect to the new network after multiple attempts, a factory reset may help. Unplug the device, then plug it back in while holding down the reset button on the back (or bottom, depending on your model) for about 15 seconds. The light will flash and then turn solid white — this means the reset is complete.

After the reset, the Chromecast will be in pairing mode and ready to connect to a network from scratch. Open Google Home, add the device as if it's new, and select your WiFi network. This clears any saved network information and often fixes connection problems.

Changing WiFi on multiple Chromecasts at once

If you have more than one Chromecast, you'll need to change each one individually in the Google Home app. Open the app, select the first device, change its network, wait for it to restart, then repeat the process for the next device. There's no way to batch-change multiple devices at once.

To keep track of which device is which, give each Chromecast a unique name in Google Home before you start. Tap the device, tap settings, then tap the name field and type something descriptive like "Living Room" or "Bedroom." This makes it much easier to tell them apart when you're changing networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unplug my Chromecast to change its WiFi?

No. You can change the WiFi while the Chromecast is plugged in and powered on. Just open Google Home, select the device, and follow the steps. The only time you need to unplug it is if it won't enter pairing mode or if you're doing a factory reset.

Will changing WiFi erase my apps or settings?

No. Changing the WiFi network only changes which network the Chromecast connects to. All your apps, preferences, and linked accounts stay the same. The device will reconnect to your Google account automatically once it's on the new network.

Can I change my Chromecast's WiFi from a computer instead of a phone?

You can use Google Home on a web browser at home.google.com, but you'll still need a phone or tablet to complete the WiFi change itself. The web version doesn't support the pairing mode step, so you'll need a mobile device for that part.

What if my WiFi password has special characters?

Type the password exactly as it is, including all special characters, spaces, and capital letters. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so if you enter it wrong, the Chromecast won't connect. If you're unsure of the password, check your router's label or your WiFi provider's account.

How long does it take for the Chromecast to connect to the new network?

Usually 30 seconds to one minute. The device will restart during this time, and the light will pulse while it's connecting. Once the light stops pulsing and stays steady, the connection is complete and you can start casting.