The basic steps to cast your screen or a tab
Casting from Chrome to your TV means sending what you see on your computer screen to your television. You do this through a menu built into Chrome itself—no separate app or software to install. The process takes about 30 seconds once your TV and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Open Chrome on your computer. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (the menu button). Scroll down and click Cast. A small window will pop up showing available devices—your TV should appear if it has a Chromecast device connected and is powered on. Click your TV's name, and your screen will begin casting within a few seconds.
You can cast your entire screen, just one Chrome tab, or your audio only. When you first open the Cast menu, it defaults to casting your whole screen. To cast only a single tab instead, click the dropdown that says "Cast to" and select Cast tab before choosing your TV.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome's menu (three dots, top right), click Cast, and select your TV from the list that appears.
- Your computer and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- You can cast your entire screen, a single tab, or audio only by changing the Cast menu dropdown before selecting your TV.
- Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, not a cable, so you can move around your home while casting continues.
- To stop casting, click the Cast icon again and select Stop Casting, or straightforward close the Cast window.
Make sure your TV and computer are on the same network
Casting only works when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and confirm it is connected to your home network. Then check your TV or Chromecast device—it should show the same network name in its settings.
If your computer is on a 5 GHz network and your TV is on 2.4 GHz (or vice versa), they may not see each other even though both are technically on "the same network." Most home routers broadcast both frequencies under the same network name. If casting fails, try connecting your computer to the 2.4 GHz band instead, which has better range and is more stable for casting.
If you are using a work network, school network, or guest network, casting may be blocked by the network's security settings. Try connecting both devices to a personal Wi-Fi network you control.
Casting a full screen versus a single tab
When you cast your entire screen, everything on your monitor goes to the TV—every window, notification, and browser tab. This is useful for presentations or showing photos, but it also means your TV displays anything you do on your computer, including private messages or passwords if you type them.
Casting a single tab sends only that one Chrome tab to your TV while the rest of your screen stays private. Open the Cast menu, click the dropdown next to "Cast to," and select Cast tab. Then choose your TV. This is the safer choice if you are browsing while casting, because only the tab you selected appears on the television.
You can switch between casting your screen and casting a tab without stopping and restarting. Open the Cast menu again and change the dropdown to whichever mode you want.
What to do if your TV does not appear in the Cast menu
If you open the Cast menu and your TV is not listed, start by checking that both devices are powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart Chrome on your computer as well.
If the TV still does not appear, check that you are using the same Wi-Fi network on both devices. Open your computer's Wi-Fi settings and look at the network name. Then check your TV's settings or Chromecast app to see which network it is connected to. They must match exactly.
If both devices are on the same network and still not connecting, try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on your Chromecast device and reconnecting it. On most Chromecast devices, you can do this through the Google Home app on your phone. Open Google Home, select your Chromecast device, tap the settings gear, scroll to Wi-Fi, and select "Forget This Network." Then reconnect to your Wi-Fi.
Controlling playback and adjusting volume while casting
Once casting starts, a small Cast window stays open on your computer. This window shows the name of your TV and gives you basic controls: a play/pause button, a volume slider, and a stop button. You can adjust the volume on your TV using this slider instead of reaching for the remote.
If you are casting a video from YouTube or another streaming service, the playback controls in that app work normally—you can pause, rewind, or skip forward as usual. The Cast window shows the same controls for convenience.
To stop casting, click the stop button in the Cast window, or open the Cast menu again and select Stop Casting. The content will disappear from your TV when ready, and your computer screen will no longer be shared.
Casting audio only to speakers or a soundbar
If your TV has a Chromecast device or built-in Chromecast support, you can cast audio from Chrome to your TV's speakers or to a separate Chromecast Audio device. Open the Cast menu and look for the dropdown that says "Cast to." Click it and select Cast audio. Then choose your TV or audio device from the list.
This is useful for playing music or podcasts from a website or streaming service without displaying anything on your TV screen. Your computer screen remains private, and only the audio plays through your speakers.
Not all websites support audio-only casting. If the option does not work, try casting the tab instead, which will display the website on your TV but also send the audio through your speakers.
Troubleshooting common casting problems
If casting starts but then stops or keeps disconnecting, your Wi-Fi connection may be weak. Move your computer closer to your router, or move your router closer to your TV. Interference from other devices like microwaves or cordless phones can also disrupt casting—try moving your router away from these devices.
If the video or audio is choppy or delayed, this usually means your Wi-Fi is congested or slow. Close other apps and browser tabs that use the internet, and try casting again. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
If you can cast but the image is very small or hard to read on your TV, check your TV's display settings. Some TVs scale the image incorrectly. You can also adjust the zoom level in Chrome by pressing Ctrl and the plus key (+) to make text larger on your screen, which will also make it larger on your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast?
Yes. Your computer and TV must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks, casting will not work. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they match.
Can I use my computer while casting?
Yes, but it depends on what you are casting. If you are casting your entire screen, everything you do on your computer appears on the TV. If you are casting a single tab, you can use other tabs and windows on your computer without them showing on the TV. Casting a tab is the better choice if you want privacy while casting.
What if I do not have a Chromecast device?
Your TV must have a Chromecast device connected to it or have Chromecast built in. Many newer TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brands have Chromecast built in. If your TV does not have it, you can buy a separate Chromecast device and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV.
Can I cast from my phone or tablet instead of my computer?
Yes. The Google Home app on Android and iOS phones and tablets has a Cast button. The process is similar to casting from Chrome on a computer. Open the app you want to cast from, tap the Cast icon, and select your TV.
Does casting work if my internet goes out?
No. Casting requires an active Wi-Fi connection between your devices. If your internet goes down, casting will stop. Both devices need to stay connected to your Wi-Fi network for casting to continue.