The basic steps to send video or your entire screen to Chromecast

Casting to a Chromecast device means sending video, audio, or your whole screen from your Chrome browser or computer to a TV or speaker connected to Chromecast. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're casting a single tab, a video from a website, or your entire desktop.

To cast a single Chrome tab, click the three-dot menu in the top right of your browser, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast device from the list, and the tab will appear on your TV. To cast your entire screen instead, go to the same menu, select "Cast", then click "Cast desktop" before choosing your device. For videos on websites like YouTube, many have their own cast button built in—look for the rectangular icon with a corner triangle on the video player itself.

The device you're casting from and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they're not connected to the same network, casting won't work. Once you've selected your device, your content will stream to the TV within a few seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the three-dot menu in Chrome, select "Cast", and choose your Chromecast device to send a tab or your entire screen to your TV.
  • Many video websites like YouTube have their own built-in cast button on the video player, which is faster than using the browser menu.
  • Your computer or phone and your Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • You can continue using your computer normally while casting—the content will keep playing on your TV even if you minimize the browser window.
  • To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" from the menu.

Casting from Chrome on Windows or Mac

On a Windows or Mac computer, open Google Chrome and navigate to the content you want to cast. Click the three vertical dots (the menu button) in the top right corner of the browser window. A dropdown menu will appear—select "Cast" from the list.

A new window will open showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Click the device you want to cast to. If you see "Cast desktop" at the top of that window, you can click it to send your entire screen instead of just the current tab. Once you've selected a device, your content will begin streaming to your TV.

While casting, a cast icon (a rectangle with a corner triangle) will appear in your browser toolbar. You can minimize Chrome, open other tabs, or even close the tab you were casting from—the content will continue playing on your TV. To stop casting, click that icon and select "Stop casting".

Using the built-in cast button on video websites

YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and many other video streaming sites have their own cast button built directly into the video player. This is usually faster than casting through the browser menu because it connects directly to your Chromecast without sending your entire screen.

When you're watching a video on one of these sites, look for a rectangular icon with a corner triangle in the bottom right or top right of the video player. Click it, select your Chromecast device, and the video will stream to your TV. The video player on your computer becomes a remote control—you can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and change videos from your keyboard or mouse.

If you don't see a cast button on a video player, the website may not support direct casting. In that case, use the browser menu method to cast the entire tab instead.

Casting from your phone or tablet

On Android phones and tablets, open the Chrome app or the app for the service you're using (YouTube, Netflix, etc.). Find the content you want to cast, then look for the cast icon—usually in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it and select your Chromecast device from the list.

On iPhones and iPads, the process is similar if you're using an app that supports casting, like YouTube or Netflix. Open the app, find the cast icon, and tap it to select your device. Not all apps support casting from iOS, so if you don't see a cast icon, the app may not have that feature.

When casting from a phone or tablet, your device acts as a remote. You can lock your phone, switch to other apps, or even turn off the screen—the content will keep playing on your TV. This is useful if you want to save your phone's battery while watching something on the big screen.

Troubleshooting when casting won't work

If you don't see your Chromecast device in the cast menu, the most common cause is that your computer or phone and your Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name (SSID). If your router broadcasts both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network, try connecting both devices to the same band.

If your device appears in the cast menu but casting fails to start, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then try casting again. If that doesn't work, restart your computer or phone as well.

If you're casting a tab and the video is choppy or keeps stopping, move your computer closer to your router or Chromecast device. Weak Wi-Fi signal is a common cause of poor streaming quality. You can also try closing other apps or browser tabs that might be using bandwidth.

What happens to your privacy when you cast

When you cast a tab or video to Chromecast, the content is sent through your home Wi-Fi network directly to the device. Google does not record or store what you cast. However, if you're casting from a website that tracks your activity (like YouTube or Netflix), those services will log your viewing as they normally would.

If you're casting your entire desktop, everything on your screen—including passwords, messages, and sensitive documents—will be visible on your TV. Be careful when casting your full screen if other people are in the room. For privacy, it's better to cast a single tab or use an app's built-in cast button when possible.

Casting audio to Chromecast speakers

If you have a Chromecast Audio device or a speaker with Chromecast built in, you can cast music and podcasts the same way you cast video. Open the three-dot menu in Chrome, select "Cast", and choose your speaker device. You can also use the cast button in music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Pandora if they support it.

When casting audio, your computer screen won't appear on the speaker—only the sound will play. This is useful for playing music throughout your home without needing to keep your computer on or nearby. You can control playback from your computer, phone, or the speaker's physical buttons if it has them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your casting device and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they're on different networks, they can't communicate. Check that both are connected to the same network name (SSID) and try again.

Will casting drain my computer's battery faster?

Yes, casting uses more power than normal browsing because your computer is streaming video over Wi-Fi. If you're on a laptop, you may notice the battery drains faster. Keeping your computer plugged in while casting is a good idea for longer viewing sessions.

Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?

No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single source. If you want to play the same content on multiple TVs, you would need to cast from different computers or phones to each device separately.

What if the cast button doesn't appear in my browser?

Make sure you're using Google Chrome, not another browser. The cast feature is built into Chrome but not available in Firefox, Safari, or Edge. If you're in Chrome and still don't see the cast option, try updating Chrome to the latest version.

Can I cast while using a VPN?

Usually not. Most VPNs route your traffic through a different network, which breaks the connection between your device and your Chromecast on your home Wi-Fi. Turn off your VPN before casting, or use a VPN that allows local network traffic to pass through.