The Basic Steps to Cast Hulu

To cast Hulu to your TV using Chromecast, open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet, start playing a show or movie, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the video will play on your TV while you control it from your phone. The whole process takes about 10 seconds once you're in the app.

Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If you don't see your Chromecast in the list, check that both devices are connected to the same network and that your Chromecast is powered on and set up.

Key Takeaways

  • The cast icon appears in the Hulu app player controls once a video starts playing, not before.
  • Your phone, tablet, and Chromecast all need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Once you cast, your phone becomes a remote control—you can pause, rewind, and adjust volume from the screen.
  • Casting uses your internet connection, not a direct connection between devices, so moving your phone away from the TV is fine.

Setting Up Your Chromecast Before Casting

Before you can cast Hulu, your Chromecast device must be plugged into your TV's HDMI port and powered on. If this is your first time using it, you'll need to set it up through the Google Home app on your phone. The setup process takes about five minutes and connects your Chromecast to your home Wi-Fi network.

Once setup is complete, your Chromecast will stay connected to that network. You don't need to set it up again for each app—just make sure it's powered on and on the same Wi-Fi as your phone when you want to cast.

Finding and Tapping the Cast Icon in Hulu

The cast icon only appears once you've started playing a video in the Hulu app. Start your show or movie, then look at the player controls. On the right side of the control bar, you'll see a small rectangle with curved lines coming out of the corner—that's the cast icon. Tap it.

A menu will pop up showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. If you have multiple Chromecasts in your home, they'll each be listed by name (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom"). Tap the one connected to the TV where you want to watch.

What Happens After You Select Your Chromecast

After you tap your Chromecast device, the video will stop on your phone and begin playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone screen will show a smaller version of the video player with pause, rewind, and volume controls. The Hulu app stays open on your phone so you can control playback.

Your phone is now acting as a remote. You can pause the show, skip forward or backward, adjust the volume, and even browse other content in Hulu while the current video plays on your TV. You can also lock your phone or leave the room—the video will keep playing on your TV.

Troubleshooting When the Cast Icon Doesn't Appear

If you don't see the cast icon in the Hulu player, the most common reason is that your phone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network as your Chromecast. You can find your Chromecast's network name in the Google Home app under device settings.

If both devices are on the same network and the icon still doesn't appear, try closing the Hulu app completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait about 30 seconds for it to fully restart before trying again.

Stopping Casting and Returning to Your Phone

To stop casting and return the video to your phone, tap the cast icon again while the video is playing on your TV. A menu will appear showing your Chromecast device with a checkmark next to it. Tap the device name, and the video will stop on your TV and resume on your phone.

You can also unplug your Chromecast or turn off your TV—the Hulu app on your phone will straightforward pause. When you want to cast again, just start the video and select your Chromecast device from the cast menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Hulu subscription to cast?

Yes, you need an active Hulu account to watch anything on the app, whether you're casting or watching on your phone. Casting itself is a free feature included with all Hulu subscriptions.

Can I use my computer to cast Hulu instead of my phone?

Yes. Open Hulu in a web browser on your computer, start a video, and look for the cast icon in the player controls. It works the same way as on a phone or tablet. Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

What if my Chromecast keeps disconnecting while I'm watching?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, or move your router closer to your TV. You can also restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, try restarting your Chromecast the same way.

Can I cast Hulu to multiple TVs at the same time?

No. One Hulu account can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time. If you have multiple Chromecasts in your home, you'll need to stop casting to one before you can cast to another.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams video over your Wi-Fi network, so it uses the same amount of data as watching on your phone. If you're on a limited internet plan, casting will count toward your monthly data usage the same way any streaming would.