Change Your Chromecast's WiFi Network Through the Google Home App

To change which WiFi network your Chromecast connects to, open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, tap the device you want to change, then tap the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right corner. Select Wi-Fi, then Forget to disconnect from the current network. The app will then walk you through connecting to a different network — you'll select the new network name from the list and enter its password if it's password-protected.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your Chromecast will disconnect from the old network and reconnect to the new one. Any shows or music you were casting will stop, but you can resume casting once the connection is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, select your Chromecast, tap the settings gear, then choose Wi-Fi and Forget to start the process.
  • After forgetting the old network, the app will prompt you to select a new WiFi network and enter its password.
  • Your Chromecast must be powered on and within range of the new WiFi network for the connection to work.
  • If the new network has the same name and password as the old one, your Chromecast may reconnect automatically without manual steps.

What You Need Before You Start

Have the name (SSID) and password of the WiFi network you want to connect to ready before you begin. If you don't know your WiFi password, check the router itself — it's usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom — or log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer.

Make sure your Chromecast is plugged in and powered on. It should be within normal WiFi range of your router — the same distance at which your phone or laptop connects reliably. If your Chromecast is in a dead zone, moving it closer to the router temporarily during setup will help.

Step-by-Step: Changing Networks on Android or iPhone

Open the Google Home app and look for your Chromecast in the list of devices. If you have multiple Chromecasts, they'll be labeled by room or name — tap the one you want to change. Once you've selected it, you'll see a card with basic information about the device.

Tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner of that card. A menu will open with several options. Scroll down and tap Wi-Fi. You'll see the network your Chromecast is currently connected to, along with a Forget button. Tap Forget to disconnect from that network.

The app will now show you a list of available WiFi networks in your area. Find the network you want to connect to and tap it. If the network is password-protected, a text field will appear asking you to enter the password. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive — then tap Connect. Your Chromecast will attempt to join the new network. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.

Once connected, you'll see a confirmation message in the app. Your Chromecast is now on the new network and ready to use.

Troubleshooting: When the Connection Fails

If your Chromecast won't connect to the new network, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back to the Wi-Fi settings in Google Home, tap Forget again, and try entering the password once more. Type slowly and double-check for capital letters or numbers that might look like letters.

If the password is correct but the connection still fails, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it's restarting, also restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Once both devices are back on, try the connection process again through Google Home.

If your Chromecast still won't connect after a restart, check whether other devices (your phone, laptop, or tablet) can connect to that same WiFi network. If they can't, the problem is with your WiFi network or router, not your Chromecast. If other devices connect fine but your Chromecast doesn't, try moving the Chromecast closer to the router and attempt the connection again. Some routers have trouble with devices far away, even if phones and laptops work fine at that distance.

Connecting to a 5GHz Network Instead of 2.4GHz

Many modern routers broadcast two WiFi networks at once: one at 2.4GHz and one at 5GHz. The 5GHz network is faster but has shorter range. Most Chromecasts work on either band, but some older models only support 2.4GHz.

If your router broadcasts both bands under the same network name, your Chromecast will pick whichever one has the stronger signal. If you want to force it to use a specific band, you can usually log into your router's settings and give each band a different name (SSID). Then use Google Home to connect your Chromecast to the specific network name you prefer.

What Happens to Your Casting After You Switch Networks

Any active casting session will stop when you change networks. If you're in the middle of watching something, it will pause or stop. Once your Chromecast is connected to the new network, you can cast again from any device on that same network.

Your Chromecast's settings, saved apps, and preferences stay the same — only the WiFi connection changes. You don't need to set up the device again or re-enter any passwords for apps like Netflix or YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Chromecast's WiFi network from a computer instead of a phone?

Yes. Go to myaccount.google.com/device-activity on your computer and sign in with the Google account linked to your Chromecast. Find your device and click it, then look for WiFi settings. The steps are the same as on the mobile app.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on your router — most routers have the default password printed there. If you've changed it and can't remember it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this will erase any custom settings you've made. Alternatively, log into your router from a computer or phone that's already connected to that network.

Will my Chromecast automatically switch back to the old network if the new one drops?

No. Once you forget the old network, your Chromecast won't reconnect to it automatically. If your new network goes down, your Chromecast will straightforward be offline until that network comes back or you manually connect it to a different one.

Do I need to change the WiFi network for each Chromecast I own?

Yes, each Chromecast connects independently. If you have multiple Chromecasts and want them all on a new network, you'll need to repeat the process for each one through Google Home. You can do them one at a time or all at once — there's no limit to how many can be on the same network.