Send Your Chrome Browser to Your TV in Four Steps

To cast Chrome to your TV, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Cast, choose your TV from the list, and then click the address bar or tab you want to send. Your computer screen or just that single tab will appear on your TV within a few seconds. The TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, and you need a Chromecast device plugged into the TV's HDMI port.

You can cast your entire screen, a single tab, or just audio. The most common choice is casting a single tab—this lets you keep working on your computer while only the content you chose appears on the TV. Casting your whole screen is useful when you want to show presentations or documents, but it will display everything on your computer, including notifications and open windows.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • You can cast an entire tab, your whole screen, or audio only—each option appears in the Cast menu.
  • Casting a single tab is the most practical choice for most situations because your computer stays private.
  • You can stop casting by clicking the Cast icon again and selecting Stop casting, or by turning off the Chromecast device.

Check Your Setup Before You Start

Before you open Chrome, make sure your computer and TV are both on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Look at your computer's Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) and note which network you are on. Then check your TV or Chromecast device—it should show the same network name in its settings or on the screen.

If your computer and TV are on different networks, casting will not work. Some homes have a 2.4 GHz network and a 5 GHz network with different names. Chromecast devices work best on 2.4 GHz, so if your computer is on 5 GHz, switch to the 2.4 GHz network first. Your router settings or Wi-Fi menu will show you which is which.

Make sure your Chromecast device is plugged into an HDMI port on the TV and powered on. You should see the Chromecast logo or a setup screen on your TV. If you see nothing, unplug the device for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to start up—this usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

Open the Cast Menu in Chrome

On your computer, open Google Chrome. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). Scroll down and click Cast. A small window will pop up showing all the Chromecast devices on your network.

If you do not see the Cast option in the menu, your version of Chrome may be outdated. Click the three dots, go to Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates automatically and install them. After it finishes, close and reopen Chrome, then try the Cast menu again.

The Cast window stays open on your screen while you are casting. You can move it around by dragging the title bar, or close it by clicking the X. Closing the window does not stop casting—your content will keep playing on the TV.

Choose What to Cast: Tab, Screen, or Audio

In the Cast window, you will see your TV's name listed. Before you click it, decide what you want to send. Look just below the TV name—you will see three options: Cast tab, Cast entire screen, and Cast audio. Click the one you want, then click your TV's name.

Cast tab is the most common choice. Only the content from that single Chrome tab appears on your TV. You can keep working on your computer—open other tabs, check email, or use other programs without showing anything on the TV. This is ideal for watching videos, looking at photos, or presenting a website.

Cast entire screen sends everything on your computer monitor to the TV, including your desktop, all open windows, and any notifications that pop up. Use this when you need to show your whole screen, such as during a presentation or when troubleshooting something with someone else. Be aware that anything you do on your computer will be visible on the TV.

Cast audio sends only sound to a Chromecast Audio device or a TV with audio casting support. Your screen stays private. This is useful for playing music or podcasts through your TV's speakers.

Stop Casting and Disconnect

To stop casting, click the Cast icon in Chrome (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner). The Cast window will open. Click Stop casting at the bottom of the window. Your TV will return to its normal screen, and your computer will no longer be connected.

You can also stop casting by turning off the Chromecast device itself. Unplug it from the HDMI port or use the power button if your model has one. The cast will stop when ready, though your computer may take a few seconds to realize the connection is gone.

If you want to cast again to the same TV, just open the Cast menu and select the TV name again. You do not need to set anything up a second time—as long as both devices are on the same network, they will find each other.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

If your TV does not appear in the Cast list, the most common reason is that your computer and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check both devices' network settings and make sure they match. If they do match and the TV still does not show up, restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait 30 to 60 seconds for it to fully start, then try the Cast menu again.

If casting starts but the video is choppy or keeps stopping, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your computer closer to the router, or move the router closer to the TV. If you are far from the router, try switching to the 2.4 GHz network if you are currently on 5 GHz—2.4 GHz has better range, though slightly slower speed. Casting video does not require much bandwidth, but it does need a stable connection.

If the Cast button does not appear in your Chrome menu, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of Chrome. Go to the three-dot menu, click Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates and install them automatically. After it finishes, close and reopen Chrome.

If you cast a tab but the audio is not working, check your TV's volume and make sure it is not muted. Also check the volume in the Chrome tab itself—some websites have their own volume control. If the TV volume is up and the tab volume is up but you still hear nothing, try casting your entire screen instead of just the tab, as this sometimes fixes audio issues.

Casting Over a Distance or on a Guest Network

Casting only works when your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are at a hotel, office, or someone else's home, you can cast if both devices connect to the same guest network. Ask the network owner for the network name and password, connect both your computer and the Chromecast device to it, and casting will work normally.

If the network does not allow devices to communicate with each other (some public networks block this for security), casting will not work. In that case, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your computer directly to the TV instead, though this requires your computer to be close to the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Chrome on Android phones and tablets has a Cast button in the menu, and it works the same way as on a computer. On iPhone or iPad, you can cast some content through Chrome, but full-screen casting is limited. For the best experience on mobile devices, use the YouTube app or other apps that have built-in Chromecast support.

What if I want to cast but keep my screen private?

Cast a single tab instead of your entire screen. Only that tab's content will appear on the TV. You can open other tabs, check email, or use other programs on your computer without anything showing on the TV. This is the most common way to cast because it keeps your computer private.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses very little bandwidth because the video is sent over your local Wi-Fi network, not through the internet. Even if your internet connection is slow, casting will work fine as long as your Wi-Fi signal is strong. The only exception is if you are casting a video from a website that requires downloading it from the internet—in that case, your internet speed matters.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No, you can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single Chrome browser. If you want to cast to a different TV, stop casting to the first one, then open the Cast menu and select the second TV. You can switch between TVs as often as you want.

What happens if someone else on my network tries to cast to my TV?

By default, anyone on your Wi-Fi network can cast to your Chromecast device. If you want to restrict this, you can set up a PIN in the Chromecast settings through the Google Home app. Once a PIN is set, anyone trying to cast will need to enter it first.