Change Your Chromecast's WiFi in the Google Home App

To change which WiFi network your Chromecast connects to, open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, then tap the device you want to change. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), scroll down to "Wi-Fi", and tap it. Select "Forget This Network" to disconnect from the current WiFi, then follow the on-screen prompts to connect to a different network. You'll need to enter the password for the new network.

The process takes about two minutes. Your Chromecast will restart once it connects to the new WiFi, and you'll see a confirmation message in the app. If the new network uses the same password as the old one, the connection usually happens automatically.

If you don't see the Settings option, make sure you're signed into the Google Home app with the same Google account that set up the Chromecast originally. Devices set up by a different account won't show full settings to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, tap your Chromecast, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, then "Forget This Network" to disconnect and reconnect to a new network.
  • You need the password for the new WiFi network before you start the process.
  • The Chromecast will restart after connecting to the new network, which takes one to two minutes.
  • If you set up the Chromecast with a different Google account than the one you're using now, you won't see the Settings option.
  • Changing WiFi networks does not erase your Chromecast settings or unpair it from your devices.

What Happens If You Can't Find the WiFi Option

If the Settings menu doesn't show a Wi-Fi option, the most common reason is that you're logged into Google Home with a different account than the one that originally set up the device. Ask whoever set it up to change the WiFi, or have them sign out of Google Home and sign back in with your account so you can manage it yourself.

Another possibility is that your Chromecast is too old to support WiFi changes through the app. Very early Chromecast models (first generation, released in 2013) require a factory reset and full setup to change networks. If your device is that old, you'll need to unplug it, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and set it up again from scratch using the Google Home app.

Switching to a 5GHz Network

If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks with the same name (called "band steering"), your Chromecast will usually pick the best one automatically. However, some routers split these into separate network names — for example, "MyNetwork" for 2.4GHz and "MyNetwork-5G" for 5GHz.

Chromecast works on both bands, but 5GHz networks typically offer faster speeds if your Chromecast is close to the router. If you want to force your Chromecast onto the 5GHz network, forget the current network in the Google Home app and reconnect to the 5GHz version specifically. Check your router's settings or the sticker on the back to find out which network name is which.

Reconnecting After a Network Password Change

If you changed your WiFi password but didn't change the network name, your Chromecast will lose connection because it's still trying to use the old password. Open Google Home, go to your Chromecast's Settings, select Wi-Fi, and tap "Forget This Network". Then reconnect to the same network name and enter the new password.

Your Chromecast won't automatically update to a new password — you have to tell it about the change manually through the app. This usually takes less than a minute once you have the new password ready.

Moving Your Chromecast to a Different Room

When you move your Chromecast to a different location, it stays connected to the same WiFi network as long as the signal reaches the new room. You only need to change the network if you're switching to a different WiFi source entirely — for example, moving from your home network to a guest network, or from one router to another.

If the signal is weak in the new location, you might see buffering or disconnections. Before changing networks, try moving the Chromecast closer to the router or removing obstacles between them. If that doesn't help, then switching to a network with a stronger signal in that room makes sense.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems After Changing WiFi

If your Chromecast connects to the new network but then disconnects repeatedly, the most common cause is that the password you entered was wrong. Go back to Settings, forget the network, and try again — double-check that caps lock is off and that you're typing the password exactly as it appears.

If the password is correct but the Chromecast still won't stay connected, restart both the Chromecast and your router. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then unplug your router for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This clears temporary connection problems that the app alone can't fix.

If restarting doesn't work, forget the network one more time and reconnect. If the Chromecast still drops the connection after that, the issue may be with your router's settings rather than the Chromecast itself — for example, some routers block devices that don't meet certain security standards. Check your router's manual or contact your internet provider to see if there are any restrictions on which devices can connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my Chromecast settings when I change WiFi networks?

No. Changing the WiFi network does not erase any settings, apps, or pairings on your Chromecast. Your device will still be linked to your Google account and will work with all the same phones and tablets as before.

Can I change the WiFi from my Chromecast remote instead of the app?

No. The Chromecast remote does not have a menu for changing WiFi settings. You must use the Google Home app on a phone or tablet. Make sure you're signed in with the account that set up the device.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

You can find your WiFi password by logging into your router's settings page (usually printed on the router itself) or by checking your internet provider's account online. If you can't access either, contact your internet provider — they can reset your password or help you recover it.

Can I connect my Chromecast to a WiFi network that requires a login page?

Chromecast cannot connect to networks that require you to open a browser and enter a username and password (called "captive portal" networks). This includes most hotel, airport, and public WiFi networks. You would need to use a personal hotspot from your phone instead, or ask the network administrator if they can whitelist your Chromecast's MAC address.

Will changing WiFi networks affect casting from my phone?

No. Once your Chromecast is on the new network, casting will work the same way as before. Your phone and Chromecast just need to be on the same WiFi network — they don't need to be on the same network they were on before.