Casting from Chrome is a built-in feature that sends video, audio, or your entire screen to a Chromecast-connected TV

Your Chrome browser has a Cast button built in. When you click it, Chrome finds any Chromecast devices on your home network and lets you send what you're watching or doing on your computer straight to your TV. You don't need an app or extra software — it's part of Chrome itself.

The Cast feature works with streaming sites like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify, but also with any webpage or tab you have open. You can cast just the tab you're watching, or cast your entire screen if you want to show everything on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast button lives in Chrome's menu (three vertical dots in the top right) and only appears when a Chromecast device is on your network.
  • You can cast a single tab, an entire window, or your whole screen — each option appears in the Cast menu when you click it.
  • Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Once casting starts, you can close the Chrome window or tab and the video keeps playing on your TV — the Chromecast takes over.
  • Casting uses very little of your computer's power, so your laptop battery will last longer than if you were just playing video on the screen itself.

Finding and clicking the Cast button

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). Scroll down until you see "Cast" — it has a rectangle with a curved line in the corner, like a screen sending a signal.

If you don't see Cast in the menu, your Chromecast is either off, not on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, or hasn't finished starting up. Turn the Chromecast on, wait 30 seconds, and try again. If it still doesn't appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

Once you click Cast, a small window pops up showing all the Chromecast devices Chrome found on your network. They appear by the name you gave them when you set them up — usually something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV."

Choosing what to cast: tab, window, or screen

After you click Cast and see your device list, look for three tabs at the top of the Cast window: "Cast tab," "Cast window," and "Cast screen." Each one sends something different to your TV.

Cast tab sends only the browser tab you're currently looking at. If you click to a different tab on your computer, the TV keeps showing the original tab. This is the most common choice for watching YouTube or Netflix.

Cast window sends an entire Chrome window to your TV. If you have multiple Chrome windows open, you pick which one. If you switch to a different window on your computer, the TV switches too.

Cast screen sends everything on your computer monitor to the TV — your desktop, any open windows, your cursor, everything. This is useful if you want to show someone files, photos, or a presentation, but it uses more of your computer's power and can slow things down slightly.

Starting a cast and controlling playback

Once you've chosen what to cast (tab, window, or screen), click the name of your Chromecast device. Chrome connects to it — this usually takes two to five seconds. Your content appears on the TV, and a small Cast icon appears in your Chrome address bar to show that casting is active.

For video and music, you can control playback from your computer: pause, play, skip forward or back, and adjust volume. Some streaming sites like YouTube and Netflix also let you control volume and playback from your phone or a remote if your Chromecast has one.

You can minimize Chrome, switch to other apps, or even close the Chrome window entirely — the video or audio keeps playing on your TV. The Chromecast takes over once the cast starts, so your computer is no longer doing the work.

Stopping a cast

To stop casting, click the three dots in Chrome again and select Cast. The Cast window opens. Click the device name again, and it shows "Stop casting" — click that. The content stops on your TV, and the Cast icon disappears from your address bar.

You can also stop a cast by turning off your Chromecast device, but stopping through Chrome is cleaner and faster.

Troubleshooting common casting problems

If the Cast button doesn't appear, your computer and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name (SSID). If your home has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your computer to the same band your Chromecast is on — most Chromecasts work best on 2.4 GHz.

If casting starts but the picture is choppy or keeps stopping, move your computer closer to the Chromecast or your Wi-Fi router. Thick walls, microwaves, and cordless phones can interfere with the signal. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

If you see a "Can't reach device" message, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for the light to stop blinking. Restart your router as well. If the problem continues, forget the Wi-Fi network on your computer and reconnect to it — sometimes the connection gets stuck.

When to cast your screen instead of a tab

Casting a tab is faster and uses less bandwidth, so it's the best choice for streaming video or music. But casting your screen is better when you want to show files, photos, a presentation, or anything that isn't a single webpage or video player.

Screen casting also works if a website doesn't support the Cast button — you can cast the whole screen and the site will play on your TV even though Chrome doesn't recognize it as castable content. The tradeoff is that screen casting uses more of your computer's power and can drain your battery faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Chrome on a Mac, Windows, or Linux computer?

Yes. The Cast feature works the same way on all three. Open Chrome, click the menu, select Cast, and choose your device. The steps are identical regardless of your operating system.

Do I need to be signed into a Google account to cast?

No. Casting works without signing in. Your computer and Chromecast just need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Signing in to Chrome doesn't change how casting works.

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

Yes. Any device on your Wi-Fi network — phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop — can cast to the same Chromecast. You can even cast from multiple devices one after another. Whoever casts last takes over the TV.

What happens if I close my laptop while casting?

The video or audio keeps playing on your TV. Once the cast starts, the Chromecast is streaming directly from the internet, not from your computer. You can close Chrome, shut down your laptop, or even turn it off and the content continues.

Why is my cast lagging or freezing?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your computer or router closer to your Chromecast, or try connecting your computer to the 2.4 GHz band if you have a dual-band router. Restart your router and Chromecast if the problem persists.