How to change your Chromecast's WiFi connection
To change which WiFi network your Chromecast uses, open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, tap the device, select the settings gear icon, choose "WiFi", and then select "Change WiFi network". Your Chromecast will disconnect from the current network and show you a list of available networks. Pick the one you want, enter the password if it's password-protected, and wait for the connection to complete — usually 30 seconds to two minutes.
The process works the same whether you're switching to a different network in your home, moving to a new location, or reconnecting after your WiFi password changed. You'll need the Google Home app installed and your phone on the same WiFi network (or on the same account) to make the change.
Key Takeaways
- Open Google Home, tap your Chromecast device, select the settings gear, then choose "WiFi" and "Change WiFi network".
- Your Chromecast will show available networks; select the one you want and enter the password if required.
- The connection usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes to complete.
- You need the Google Home app on your phone and either the same WiFi network or the same Google account as the Chromecast.
- If the Chromecast is already disconnected from WiFi, you can set it up fresh using the Google Home app's setup process instead.
Step-by-step: changing the network in Google Home
Start by opening the Google Home app on your phone or tablet. If you don't have it, read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Make sure you're signed into the same Google account you used to set up the Chromecast.
Tap the device card for your Chromecast. If you have multiple Chromecast devices, make sure you're selecting the right one — the card will show the device name and which room it's in. Once you've opened the device, look for the settings gear icon in the top right corner and tap it.
Scroll down and tap "WiFi". You'll see the network your Chromecast is currently connected to. Tap "Change WiFi network". The Chromecast will disconnect and begin scanning for available networks.
A list of nearby WiFi networks will appear. Select the network you want to connect to. If it requires a password, type it in carefully — passwords are case-sensitive. Tap "Connect" or "Next" (the button name varies by device). Wait for the connection to complete. You'll see a confirmation message once it's connected.
What to do if your Chromecast won't connect to the new network
If the Chromecast fails to connect, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back into the WiFi settings and try entering the password again. Make sure Caps Lock is off unless your password actually uses capital letters.
Check that the network itself is working by connecting your phone to it. If your phone connects but the Chromecast doesn't, the issue may be that your router is blocking the Chromecast's MAC address or that your network has special security settings. Some corporate networks, school networks, and guest networks don't allow Chromecast devices to connect. If you're on a network like that, you may need to use a personal hotspot from your phone instead, or ask your network administrator to whitelist the device.
If the Chromecast still won't connect after you've confirmed the password and network are working, restart both the Chromecast and your router. Unplug the Chromecast for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up (the light will stop blinking). Then try connecting again.
Reconnecting after a WiFi password change
If you changed your WiFi password and your Chromecast is still trying to use the old one, it will lose connection. The device will appear offline in the Google Home app. To reconnect it, follow the same steps above: open Google Home, tap the device, go to settings, select "WiFi", and choose "Change WiFi network". Enter your new password and wait for the connection to complete.
If you can't see the Chromecast in the Google Home app at all because it's offline, you may need to set it up again from scratch. Unplug the Chromecast, plug it back in, and use the Google Home app's setup process to add it to your new network.
When you need to set up the Chromecast from scratch instead
If your Chromecast has been offline for a while, or if you're moving it to a completely different location, sometimes it's faster to set it up fresh rather than trying to reconnect it to an old network. To do this, unplug the Chromecast and plug it back in. Open the Google Home app and tap the "+" button to add a new device. Follow the setup wizard, which will walk you through connecting to your WiFi network.
The setup process will ask you to confirm that you see a code on your TV screen, then let you choose which WiFi network to use and enter the password. Once setup is complete, the Chromecast will be ready to use. Any apps or settings you had before will be restored automatically if you're using the same Google account.
Using a mobile hotspot if your main WiFi isn't available
If you're traveling or your home WiFi is down, you can connect your Chromecast to a mobile hotspot from your phone instead. Open the Google Home app, go to the Chromecast's WiFi settings, and select your phone's hotspot network from the list. Enter the hotspot password and connect.
Keep in mind that streaming video over a mobile hotspot will use your phone's data plan quickly. A one-hour movie can use 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality. If you're on a limited data plan, this may not be practical for extended use.
Troubleshooting connection drops after changing networks
Sometimes a Chromecast will connect to a new network but then drop the connection after a few minutes. This usually means the router isn't recognizing the device properly. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up. Once the router is back online, restart the Chromecast the same way.
If the problem continues, check your router's settings to see if it has a feature that kicks devices off the network after a period of inactivity. Some routers have this enabled by default. You may need to disable it or add the Chromecast to a whitelist of devices that are always allowed to stay connected. Check your router's manual or manufacturer's website for instructions specific to your model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be on the same WiFi network as my Chromecast to change it?
No. You need to be signed into the same Google account in the Google Home app, but you can be on a different network or even a different location. The app communicates with your Chromecast through your Google account, not through your local WiFi.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
You'll need to recover it from your router. Most routers have a sticker on the back with the default network name and password. If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this will erase all your custom settings. Check your router's manual for the exact reset procedure.
Can I connect my Chromecast to a 5GHz WiFi network?
Yes. Most Chromecast models support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. If your router broadcasts both, they'll usually appear as separate networks in the WiFi list — one might be named something like "NetworkName" and the other "NetworkName-5G". Either one will work, though 5GHz may give you faster streaming if you're close to the router.
Will changing the WiFi network erase my apps or settings?
No. Changing the WiFi network only disconnects and reconnects the Chromecast to the internet. All your apps, preferences, and linked accounts stay the same.
What if the Chromecast isn't showing up in the Google Home app at all?
Make sure the Chromecast is plugged in and powered on. Check that your phone is connected to WiFi and signed into the same Google account. If it's still not showing up, restart both the Chromecast and your phone. If the Chromecast has been offline for more than a few days, you may need to set it up again from scratch.