Casting from Chrome browser means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from your computer to a Chromecast device connected to your TV
To cast from Chrome, you need three things: the Chrome browser on your computer, a Chromecast device plugged into your TV, and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. The cast button lives in Chrome's menu (the three vertical dots in the top right), and clicking it opens a list of nearby Chromecast devices. Select the device you want, and your content appears on the TV within seconds.
You can cast a single tab, an entire window, or your whole desktop. Casting a tab is the most common choice—it sends just that one browser window to the TV while you keep working on your computer. The connection stays active until you stop the cast, and you can pause, rewind, or adjust volume from your computer or the TV remote.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome's menu, select "Cast", and choose your Chromecast device from the list that appears.
- You can cast a single tab, an entire window, or your whole desktop—choose the option that fits what you are watching.
- Both your computer and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- The cast connection stays active until you manually stop it, and you can control playback from your computer keyboard or the TV remote.
- If the cast button does not appear, restart Chrome, check your Wi-Fi connection, and make sure your Chromecast is powered on and set up.
Finding and opening the Cast button in Chrome
The Cast button is in Chrome's main menu, which you open by clicking the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window. Once the menu drops down, look for the word "Cast" near the middle of the list. Click it, and a small window pops up showing all Chromecast devices on your network.
If you do not see the Cast option in the menu, your Chrome version may be outdated. Open Chrome's settings (also in the three-dot menu), click "About Chrome" on the left side, and let the browser update itself. After the update finishes and Chrome restarts, the Cast button should appear.
On a Mac, the Cast button is in the same location. On Windows, Linux, and Chromebook, the process is identical—always look for the three dots in the top right corner.
Choosing what to cast: tab, window, or entire screen
When you click the Cast button, a menu shows you three options. Cast tab sends only the current browser tab to your TV, which is what you want for watching videos, looking at photos, or presenting a website. Your computer stays free to use other programs, check email, or switch tabs without affecting what is on the TV.
Cast window sends an entire process window to the TV—useful if you have a Chrome window open alongside other programs and want to isolate what the TV sees. Cast entire screen sends everything on your monitor to the TV, including your desktop, taskbar, and any open windows. This is the right choice if you are presenting slides, showing multiple browser windows, or want the TV to mirror exactly what you see.
Most people start with "Cast tab" because it is the simplest and keeps your computer private. If you switch tabs while casting a tab, the TV stays on the original tab until you manually stop the cast or switch to a different tab in the cast menu.
Selecting your Chromecast device and starting the cast
After you click "Cast" in the menu, a window appears listing every Chromecast device on your Wi-Fi network. Each device shows its name (usually something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV") and a small icon showing whether it is currently in use. Click the device you want to cast to, and the cast starts when ready.
If your device does not appear in the list, check that it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. If it is, wait a few seconds and click the Cast button again—sometimes devices take a moment to show up. If it still does not appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.
Once you select a device, a small cast icon appears in the Chrome address bar (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines coming from the bottom left). This icon shows that casting is active. Click it anytime to stop the cast or switch to a different device.
Controlling playback and volume while casting
While you are casting, you control what happens on the TV from your computer. If you are watching a video, your keyboard controls work normally—spacebar pauses and plays, arrow keys skip forward or backward, and the M key mutes sound. The video player on the TV responds to these commands in real time.
You can also adjust volume using your computer's volume keys, or by clicking the volume slider in the video player itself. The TV remote works too—most Chromecast devices respond to their remote's play, pause, and volume buttons, though some features (like skipping ahead 10 seconds) may only work from your computer.
If you need to use your computer for something else while casting, you can minimize the video or switch to another tab. The cast continues playing on the TV without interruption. To stop the cast entirely, click the cast icon in the address bar and select "Stop casting".
Fixing common casting problems
If the Cast button does not appear in your Chrome menu, the most common cause is that Chrome needs an update. Go to the three-dot menu, click "About Chrome", and wait for the update to finish. Chrome will restart automatically, and the Cast button should be there when it reopens.
If your Chromecast device does not show up in the cast list, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Chromecast may still be trying to connect to the old one—unplug it, set it up again using the Google Home app, and reconnect it to your network.
If the cast starts but the video is choppy or keeps stopping, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your computer closer to the router, or move the Chromecast closer to the router. If that does not help, restart both devices by unplugging the Chromecast for 10 seconds and restarting your computer. Weak Wi-Fi is the most common reason for casting to stall or drop.
If sound is not coming through the TV, check that your computer's volume is turned up and that the video player itself is not muted. Some websites mute video by default until you click the play button. If the video plays but has no sound, try restarting the cast by clicking the cast icon and selecting "Stop casting", then casting again.
Casting different types of content
Most websites work fine with Chrome casting—YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services cast smoothly. Some websites may have restrictions that prevent casting, usually for copyright reasons. If a site does not cast, you can always cast your entire screen instead, though the quality may be slightly lower.
Local video files on your computer (MP4, WebM, or other formats) cast well if you open them in Chrome. straightforward drag the video file into a Chrome tab, and once it plays, use the Cast button to send it to your TV. Audio files work the same way—open an MP3 or other audio file in Chrome, then cast it.
Google Slides, Google Docs, and other Google services cast clearly and are good for presentations. If you are casting a document or presentation, cast your entire screen rather than just the tab, so the TV shows your full workspace and any notes you have open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be logged into anything to cast?
No. As long as your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast without logging in. If you are casting content that requires a login (like Netflix), you need to be logged in on your computer, but the Chromecast itself does not need any account.
Can I cast from my phone or tablet to the same Chromecast?
Yes. Phones and tablets use the same Cast button (usually in the quick settings menu or the app itself) to send to the same Chromecast devices. You can cast from your phone, then switch to casting from your computer, and the device will switch over. Only one device can cast at a time.
What happens if I close my computer while casting?
The cast stops when ready. The TV will show a message saying the connection was lost. To resume, open Chrome on your computer again, click Cast, and select the device.
Can I cast if my computer is not plugged in?
Yes, but casting drains your battery faster than normal browsing. If you plan to cast for a long time, plug your computer in. Casting uses Wi-Fi continuously, which uses more power than a typical task.
Why does the video look blurry when I cast my entire screen?
Casting your whole screen sends everything at a lower resolution than casting a single tab, which is why it may look less sharp. For the clearest picture, cast just the tab with your video instead of your entire screen.