Cast your Chrome browser to another screen in three steps

To cast your Chrome browser, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select Cast, choose your Chromecast device from the list, and then pick whether you want to cast your entire screen or just the current tab. Your browser window will then appear on the connected TV or monitor. The casting starts when ready — there is no separate confirmation step.

You need three things for this to work: Chrome installed on your computer, a Chromecast device plugged into your TV or monitor, and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Chromecast device is not showing up in the Cast menu, check that it is powered on and connected to the same network as your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the three-dot menu in Chrome, select Cast, pick your device, and choose whether to cast your entire screen or just the current tab.
  • Your computer and Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Casting the current tab uses less bandwidth and battery than casting your entire screen.
  • You can stop casting by clicking the Cast icon again and selecting Stop Casting, or by closing the Cast menu on your computer.
  • Audio from your browser will play through your TV or monitor speakers, not through your computer speakers.

Finding and opening the Cast menu

Open Chrome and look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the browser window. Click it to open a dropdown menu with many options. Scroll down until you see the word Cast — it usually appears in the middle section of the menu. Click Cast to open a small window showing all available Chromecast devices on your network.

If you do not see Cast in the menu, your version of Chrome may be outdated. Open the three-dot menu, click Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates automatically and install them if available. After updating, restart Chrome and try again.

Choosing between casting your entire screen or just a tab

After you click Cast and see your Chromecast device listed, you will see two options: Cast screen and Cast tab. Casting your entire screen sends everything on your monitor to the TV — every window, notification, and movement. Casting a tab sends only that single browser window, leaving your other windows and desktop private on your computer.

For most situations, casting a tab is the better choice. It uses less of your internet bandwidth, drains your laptop battery more slowly, and keeps your other work hidden from the screen. Cast your entire screen only when you need to show your desktop, run a presentation from multiple programs, or share something that is not in a browser tab.

What happens after you start casting

Once you select your device and choose screen or tab, casting begins when ready. A small Cast icon will appear in your Chrome address bar (the top of the browser window) to show that casting is active. Your content will appear on the TV or monitor within a few seconds. The icon stays visible so you can stop casting at any time by clicking it.

While you are casting, your computer and the Chromecast device stay connected over Wi-Fi. If you move your computer out of range of the Wi-Fi network, casting will pause. Moving back into range will resume it. If you close Chrome entirely, casting stops automatically.

Stopping the cast and troubleshooting common problems

To stop casting, click the Cast icon in your Chrome address bar and select Stop Casting. The content will disappear from the TV or monitor when ready, and the Cast icon will vanish from your address bar. You can also stop casting by unplugging the Chromecast device or turning it off, though this is less graceful.

If your Chromecast device does not appear in the Cast menu, first check that it is powered on — look for a light on the device itself. Then confirm that your computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. Open your computer's Wi-Fi settings and look at which network you are on, then check the Chromecast's setup app on your phone to see which network it is using. If they do not match, reconnect your computer to the Chromecast's network. If the device still does not show up after 30 seconds, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

Casting audio and video from websites

When you cast a tab containing a video or audio player — like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify — the sound plays through your TV or monitor speakers, not through your computer. This is true even if your computer has its own speakers. You control the volume from your TV remote or from the volume controls on the website itself.

Some streaming services like Netflix and YouTube have their own Cast buttons built into the player. These buttons look different from the Chrome Cast menu and may offer extra features like resuming playback or controlling playback from your phone. If you see a Cast button in the video player itself, you can use that instead of the Chrome menu — both methods work, but the player's Cast button sometimes gives you more control.

Casting when your devices are on different networks

Chromecast requires your computer and the device to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your computer is on your main home network and your Chromecast is on a guest network, they cannot see each other. Check your router settings to see if you have a guest network enabled. If you do, either move the Chromecast to your main network or connect your computer to the same network as the Chromecast.

Some routers allow you to connect multiple devices to the same network but isolate them from each other for security. If your Chromecast and computer are on the same network but still cannot find each other, log into your router settings and look for an option called "AP isolation" or "client isolation." Disabling this setting will allow the devices to communicate. If you are not comfortable changing router settings, contact your internet provider or the router manufacturer for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone to control what is being cast?

Yes. If you have the Google Home app installed on your phone and it is on the same Wi-Fi network, you can pause, play, and adjust volume for most content. Open the Google Home app, tap the device you are casting to, and use the playback controls. Not all websites support phone control — streaming services like YouTube and Netflix usually do, but regular websites may not.

What if my computer goes to sleep while I am casting?

Casting will stop if your computer enters sleep mode. To prevent this, open your computer's power settings before you start casting and set the sleep timer to "Never" or a time longer than you need. After you finish casting, remember to change the setting back to save battery.

Can I cast from multiple computers to the same Chromecast at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If a second computer tries to cast while another is already casting, the first cast will stop and the second will begin. If you need multiple people to share content, take turns casting or use a different method like HDMI cables.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting a tab uses very little bandwidth — roughly the same as watching the website normally on your computer. Casting your entire screen uses slightly more because it is sending video of everything on your monitor. Streaming video through a casting tab (like YouTube) uses the same bandwidth as streaming normally; the Chromecast is not doing anything special to reduce data use.

Why is the video choppy or delayed when I cast?

Choppy video usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your computer or Chromecast closer to your router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. If you are casting your entire screen, try casting just the tab instead — it often performs better. Restarting your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds can also help.