The basic steps to cast from Chrome

Casting from Chrome to a Chromecast device takes three steps: make sure your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, open Chrome and navigate to the page or video you want to cast, then click the cast icon in the top right corner of the browser and select your device.

The cast icon looks like a rectangle with a curved line in the bottom left corner. If you don't see it, you may need to enable casting in Chrome settings first. Once you click the icon, a menu appears showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the one connected to your TV, and the content appears on your screen within a few seconds.

Your computer stays connected to the Chromecast while you cast. You can continue using your computer for other tasks, and the video or content keeps playing on your TV. To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting".

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast anything.
  • The cast icon appears in the top right corner of Chrome and shows a rectangle with a curved line; click it to see available devices.
  • You can cast entire tabs, specific videos, or your whole screen depending on what content you want to send to your TV.
  • Casting continues even if you switch to other browser tabs or applications on your computer.

Casting a single tab versus your entire screen

Chrome gives you two casting options. Tab casting sends only the content from one browser tab to your TV, while screen casting sends everything on your computer screen, including other windows and applications. Most people use tab casting for videos and web content because it lets you keep working on other things without sending that work to the TV.

To cast a single tab, right-click on the tab you want to cast and select "Cast" from the menu. This is faster than using the cast icon if you have multiple tabs open. To cast your entire screen instead, click the cast icon in the top right, then select "Cast desktop" before choosing your device. Screen casting is useful when you want to show presentations, documents, or multiple browser windows at once.

Tab casting pauses when you close the tab, but screen casting continues until you manually stop it. If you're casting a tab and want to switch to a different tab without stopping the cast, you'll need to stop the current cast and start a new one on the tab you want to watch.

Troubleshooting when the cast icon doesn't appear

If you don't see the cast icon in Chrome, the most common reason is that casting is turned off in your browser settings. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, go to Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left side. Scroll down to find "Cast media to devices" and make sure it's turned on.

After enabling it, you may need to restart Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows, then open Chrome again. The cast icon should now appear in the top right corner next to your profile picture and the three-dot menu.

If the cast icon still doesn't show up, restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Also check that your computer and Chromecast are truly on the same Wi-Fi network — if your computer is on a guest network and your Chromecast is on the main network, they won't see each other.

Why your Chromecast device isn't showing up in the cast menu

When you click the cast icon but your Chromecast doesn't appear in the list, the problem is almost always a network connection issue. Both your computer and your Chromecast need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you're on the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast.

If you're on the correct network, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds. While it restarts, also restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Once both devices are back online, open Chrome and try the cast icon again. The device should appear within a minute or two.

Some routers separate devices into different bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Older Chromecast models only work on 2.4 GHz, so if your computer is connected to 5 GHz, they won't see each other. Check your router settings to see which band your Chromecast is using, and connect your computer to the same one.

Casting video from streaming services and websites

Most major streaming services — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and others — have a built-in cast button within their apps or web players. When you're watching a video on these sites, look for the cast icon (usually in the video player controls) and click it to send the video directly to your Chromecast. This method is more reliable than casting the entire tab because the streaming service handles the connection.

If a streaming service doesn't have its own cast button, you can still cast the tab containing the video. Click the cast icon in Chrome, select "Cast" (not "Cast desktop"), choose your device, and the video plays on your TV. The video quality depends on your internet speed and your Chromecast model.

Some websites block tab casting for copyright reasons. If you try to cast a tab and the video stops or shows an error on your TV, the website may not allow it. In that case, try using the streaming service's own app on your phone or tablet instead, which usually has casting built in.

Controlling playback while casting

While you're casting, you can control what's playing on your TV from your computer. If you're casting a tab, the video player controls (play, pause, volume, skip) work normally — just use them as you would if you were watching on your computer screen. The video plays on your TV instead of your monitor.

If you're casting your entire screen, you control playback through whatever process you're using on your computer. Move your mouse, click buttons, and type as normal, and your actions appear on the TV with a slight delay.

You can also control casting from your phone or tablet if you have the Google Home app installed. Open the app, select your Chromecast device, and you'll see playback controls for whatever is currently casting. This is useful if you want to pause or stop casting without walking back to your computer.

Stopping a cast and disconnecting your device

To stop casting, click the cast icon in the top right corner of Chrome. A menu appears showing your connected device with a "Stop casting" button. Click that button, and the content stops playing on your TV when ready. Your computer and Chromecast remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network, so you can start casting again whenever you want.

If you close the browser tab you were casting, the cast stops automatically. However, if you're casting your entire screen and close Chrome, the screen cast continues until you manually stop it from another device or by restarting your Chromecast.

To fully disconnect your Chromecast from your Wi-Fi network, you'll need to reset it through the Google Home app or by holding the reset button on the device itself. This is rarely necessary — most people just stop casting and leave the device connected to the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Chrome on my phone or tablet?

Chrome on Android and iOS has limited casting support. You can cast tabs from Chrome on Android in some cases, but the feature is not as reliable as on a computer. For better results on mobile devices, use the native apps for streaming services like YouTube or Netflix, which have built-in cast buttons designed specifically for phones and tablets.

Why does my video keep stopping or buffering while I cast?

Buffering during casting usually means your Wi-Fi connection is weak or your internet speed is too slow. Move your computer closer to your Wi-Fi router, or move your Chromecast closer to the router. If you're on a crowded Wi-Fi network with many devices connected, try disconnecting other devices temporarily. Casting requires a stable connection; a weak signal causes frequent interruptions.

Can I cast audio only, without video?

Yes. If you're casting a tab that contains audio (like a music website or podcast player), the audio plays on your TV's speakers while the video display shows a black screen or a still image. You can also cast music from web players like Spotify or YouTube Music. The cast icon works the same way for audio as it does for video.

What happens if I close my computer while casting?

If you're casting a tab and close your computer, the cast stops when ready because Chrome is no longer running. If you're casting your entire screen, closing your computer also stops the cast. To keep content playing on your TV without your computer, use a streaming service's native app on a phone, tablet, or smart TV instead.

Do I need to be in the same room as my Chromecast to cast to it?

No. As long as your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast from anywhere — even from a different room or building. The cast icon will show your Chromecast in the menu, and casting works the same way. You don't need to see the TV to start or stop a cast.