Change your Chromecast's WiFi in the Google Home app

To change which WiFi network your Chromecast connects to, open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, find your Chromecast device in the list, tap the settings gear icon, then select WiFi and choose Forget network. Your Chromecast will restart and show a setup code on your TV screen. In the Google Home app, tap Set up device and follow the prompts to select your new WiFi network and enter the password.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your Chromecast will reconnect to your home network and resume working normally once the new WiFi password is saved. You do not need to unplug the device or reset it to factory settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, find your Chromecast, tap the settings gear, select WiFi, and choose Forget network to disconnect from the old network.
  • Your Chromecast will display a setup code on your TV screen after you forget the network.
  • Use the Google Home app to reconnect by tapping Set up device and entering your new WiFi network name and password.
  • The reconnection process takes about two minutes and does not require a factory reset.

Step-by-step walkthrough

Start by unlocking your phone or tablet and opening the Google Home app. If you do not have it installed, read it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromecast, or to the same home network if you use a mesh system.

In the Google Home app, look for your Chromecast device in the list of connected devices. Tap and hold on the device tile, or tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner of the tile. Scroll down and select WiFi. You will see the current network name listed. Tap Forget network.

Your Chromecast will disconnect from the old WiFi and restart. A setup code—usually four digits—will appear on your TV screen. This code confirms that your Chromecast is ready to connect to a new network.

Reconnect to your new WiFi network

In the Google Home app, tap the plus icon (+) in the top left corner and select Set up device. Choose Set up a new device (not "Set up a device in a home"). The app will ask you to confirm the setup code shown on your TV screen—type it in or let the app scan it automatically.

Next, the app will show a list of available WiFi networks. Select your new network from the list. If your network does not appear, make sure the router is powered on and within range. Enter your WiFi password exactly as it is—passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter.

Tap Connect. The app will verify the connection, and your Chromecast will rejoin your home network. Once the setup is complete, your Chromecast will appear in your device list again and be ready to use.

What to do if your Chromecast does not reconnect

If the app shows an error message during reconnection, go back and check that you entered the WiFi password correctly. Passwords are straightforward to mistype, especially if your network uses special characters. Tap back and try entering the password again.

If your Chromecast still will not connect, make sure your router is broadcasting the network name (SSID). Some routers have a setting to hide the network name; if yours is hidden, you may need to type the network name manually instead of selecting it from the list. Check your router's settings or contact your internet provider if you are unsure.

If you have tried multiple times and the connection still fails, you can perform a factory reset. Unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the setup code to appear on your TV. Then follow the setup steps again from the beginning.

Changing networks on a Chromecast with Google TV

If you own a Chromecast with Google TV (the model with a remote control), the process is slightly different. Use the remote to navigate to Settings on the TV screen, then select Network & Internet and WiFi. Choose Forget network or Forget this network, depending on your model.

After forgetting the network, go back to WiFi and select your new network from the list. Enter the password using the on-screen keyboard and wait for the connection to complete. You do not need to use the Google Home app for this model—everything is done directly on the TV.

When to change your Chromecast's WiFi

You might need to change your Chromecast's network if you are switching internet providers, upgrading to a new router, or moving to a different room where a different WiFi band works better. Some people also change networks to move their Chromecast from a 2.4 GHz band to a 5 GHz band for faster streaming, or vice versa if the device is far from the router.

If you are moving your Chromecast to a different home or giving it to someone else, you should forget the old network and set it up on the new network. This ensures the device is not trying to connect to a network it can no longer reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to reset my Chromecast to change the WiFi?

No. Forgetting the network and reconnecting through the Google Home app is the normal way to change WiFi. A factory reset erases all your settings and should only be used if the device will not reconnect after multiple attempts.

Will changing the WiFi erase my apps or settings?

No. Changing the WiFi network does not erase apps, saved passwords, or any other settings on your Chromecast. Only the WiFi connection is changed.

What if I do not have the Google Home app?

read the Google Home app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). It is free and required to change your Chromecast's WiFi network. For Chromecast with Google TV, you can change the network directly using the remote without the app.

Can I change my Chromecast to a guest WiFi network?

Yes, you can connect your Chromecast to a guest network the same way you would connect to any other network. However, some guest networks block device-to-device communication, which may prevent you from casting to the Chromecast. Test the connection after setup to make sure casting works.

How long does it take to reconnect to a new WiFi network?

The reconnection process usually takes one to three minutes from the moment you forget the old network to when your Chromecast is ready to use again. If it takes longer than five minutes, the connection may have failed and you should try again.