The basic steps to cast from Chrome

Casting from Google Chrome means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from your computer to a TV or speaker connected to a Chromecast device. You do this through Chrome's built-in cast menu, which takes about three clicks once your devices 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 appear showing available devices — select the Chromecast, TV, or speaker you want to send to. Once you pick a device, Chrome will begin casting whatever you're doing on screen.

The cast menu stays open while you're casting, so you can pause, stop, or switch devices without closing it. To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select Stop casting.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your computer and Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • You can cast a single tab, your entire screen, or just audio depending on what you're trying to send to your TV.
  • The cast menu is in Chrome's main menu (three dots) in the top right corner of the browser window.
  • Casting stops if you close Chrome, put your computer to sleep, or manually click Stop casting in the cast menu.

Casting a single tab versus your entire screen

Chrome gives you two main casting options. Cast tab sends only the content from one browser tab to your TV — useful if you want to watch a video or view a website while keeping other tabs and windows private on your computer. Cast screen sends everything on your monitor to the TV, including your desktop, open windows, and any notifications that pop up.

To cast a tab, open the cast menu, click the dropdown next to your device name, and select Cast tab. To cast your entire screen, select Cast screen from that same dropdown. Tab casting uses less bandwidth and battery power than screen casting, so use it when you only need to share one thing.

If you're casting a tab and switch to a different tab, the TV will show a blank screen until you switch back. The TV only displays the tab you selected, not whatever you're currently viewing on your computer.

What to do if your device doesn't appear in the cast menu

The most common reason a Chromecast device doesn't show up is that it's not on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name — look at your computer's Wi-Fi settings and the Chromecast's setup screen or the Google Home app to confirm they match.

If they're on the same network and the device still doesn't appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart Chrome or refresh the cast menu by closing and reopening it. If the device uses a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and your computer is on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other — check your router settings to see if you can switch one of them.

On some networks, especially in offices or shared buildings, devices on the same Wi-Fi can't communicate with each other due to network isolation. If you control the router, you can usually turn this off in the settings. If you don't, you may need to use a different network or contact the network administrator.

Casting audio to speakers and smart displays

You can cast audio from Chrome to any Chromecast Audio device, Google Home speaker, or smart display on your network. Open the cast menu the same way, but instead of selecting a TV, select the speaker or display you want to use. Chrome will send the audio while your screen stays dark on the TV.

This works for music, podcasts, videos, or any sound coming from your browser. If you're casting a video to a speaker, the audio plays but the video doesn't display anywhere — the speaker only receives sound. You can continue using your computer normally while audio plays on the speaker.

Why casting stops and how to keep it running

Casting stops automatically if you close the Chrome browser, put your computer to sleep, or disconnect from Wi-Fi. It also stops if you manually click the cast icon and select Stop casting. Some screensavers or power settings can interrupt casting, so if it keeps dropping, check that your computer isn't set to sleep after a short period of inactivity.

If you're casting a tab and the website requires your attention (like a video that needs you to click play), the cast will continue as long as the tab stays open. If you close that tab, casting stops. Casting also pauses if your computer loses connection to Wi-Fi, even briefly — it will resume once the connection comes back, but there may be a delay of a few seconds.

Casting from different Chrome profiles and guest mode

Each person using Chrome on your computer can cast from their own profile. When you open the cast menu, it shows devices available to that profile's account. If you're signed into a Google account in Chrome, you may see additional casting options compared to guest mode or a profile that isn't signed in.

If you're in Chrome's guest mode, you can still cast to devices on your network, but some features may be limited. Switching between profiles doesn't affect devices you're already casting to — if one profile is casting to a TV, another profile can open the cast menu and see the same device, but they can't take over the cast without stopping it first.

Troubleshooting lag and connection problems

If casting is choppy, freezes, or has a delay between your computer and the TV, the issue is usually your Wi-Fi connection. Move your computer closer to the router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Casting video uses more bandwidth than casting audio, so streaming video while casting may cause problems.

If only the audio is choppy but the video is smooth, your network may be struggling with the audio stream — try casting just the tab instead of the entire screen, which uses less data. Restarting your router, computer, and Chromecast device often fixes connection problems. If the cast menu itself is slow to load or devices take a long time to appear, restart Chrome completely.

Some websites block casting for copyright reasons — Netflix, Disney+, and similar services may not allow you to cast their content from a browser tab, though they often have their own cast buttons built into their apps. If a website won't cast, try opening it in a different browser or using the service's dedicated app instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you use a different method. On Android phones and tablets, open the app or website you want to cast, tap the cast icon (usually in the top corner), and select your device. On iPhones and iPads, some apps have their own cast buttons, but Chrome on iOS doesn't have a built-in cast feature — you would need to use AirPlay instead if your TV supports it.

What if I want to cast but keep my screen private?

Cast a single tab instead of your entire screen. Open the tab with the content you want to share, open the cast menu, select your device, and choose Cast tab. Your other tabs, windows, and desktop remain hidden on your computer while only that one tab displays on the TV.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your internet connection, so it doesn't count against your data plan. However, if you're casting video, it does use Wi-Fi bandwidth, which can slow down other devices on your network. Casting audio uses much less bandwidth than casting video.

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 button, select Cast, and choose your device. The steps and options are identical regardless of your operating system.

What happens if I close my laptop while casting?

Casting stops when ready when you close your laptop or put it to sleep. The TV will show a blank screen or a "connection lost" message. To resume casting, open your laptop, reconnect to Wi-Fi if needed, and start casting again from Chrome.