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

To change which wireless network your Chromecast uses, open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, tap the device you want to change, then tap the settings icon (gear) in the top right corner. Scroll down and select Wi-Fi, then choose Forget This Network. Your Chromecast will disconnect from its current network. After that, the setup screen will appear automatically, and you can select a new network from the list and enter its password.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your Chromecast will restart once it connects to the new network, and you'll see a confirmation message in the Google Home app. During this time, you won't be able to cast to the device—wait until the app shows it's online again before trying to send video or audio.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, find your Chromecast, tap the settings gear, scroll to Wi-Fi, and select Forget This Network to start the change.
  • After forgetting the network, your Chromecast will show a setup screen where you pick a new network and enter its password.
  • The device will restart and reconnect within one to two minutes; wait for the Google Home app to show it online before casting.
  • If you don't see your network in the list, make sure your router is turned on and broadcasting its name, then refresh the list in the setup screen.
  • Your Chromecast must be plugged in and powered on the entire time—if it loses power during the change, start over from the beginning.

What Happens If Your Network Doesn't Appear in the List

Sometimes your WiFi network won't show up when you're trying to connect. The most common reason is that your router is set to hide its network name (called the SSID). If that's the case, look for an option in the setup screen that says Add Network Manually or Other Network. Tap it, type your network name exactly as it is, and enter the password.

If your network still doesn't appear, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for all the lights to stop blinking, then try the Chromecast setup again. Also check that your router is within about 30 feet of your Chromecast—if it's too far away, the device may not detect the signal strongly enough to show it in the list.

Entering Your WiFi Password Correctly

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, which means uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you enter MyPassword instead of mypassword, the connection will fail. Type slowly and double-check each character, especially if your password has numbers or special characters like underscores or hyphens.

If you're not sure what your password is, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router—it usually has the network name and password printed there. If you've changed the password since then, you can reset it by logging into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer, though that process varies by router brand. For most people, the sticker password is the fastest way to confirm what you need to type.

Switching Networks Without Forgetting the Old One

If you want your Chromecast to remember both your old network and a new one—so it can switch between them automatically—you don't need to forget the old network. Instead, open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast's settings, scroll to Wi-Fi, and select Add Another Network. Choose your new network, enter the password, and your Chromecast will now connect to whichever network is available.

This is useful if you have a guest network you want to use sometimes, or if you're moving between two locations with different WiFi. Your Chromecast will try to connect to the strongest network it knows about, so if both are available, it may switch between them. If you want it to prefer one network over the other, you'll need to forget the lower-priority one and add it back in the order you want.

Troubleshooting When Your Chromecast Won't Connect to the New Network

If your Chromecast connects to the new network but then when ready disconnects, the most likely cause is that the password was entered incorrectly. Go back into the Google Home app, forget the network again, and re-enter the password more carefully. Type it into a text editor first if that helps you see it clearly, then copy it into the setup screen.

If the password is correct but the connection still drops, restart both your Chromecast and your router. Unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully start up. Then unplug your router for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Once both devices are running again, try the network change one more time. If the problem continues, your router may have a setting that blocks certain devices—check your router's admin panel to see if there's a device limit or a MAC address filter that's preventing your Chromecast from staying connected.

Moving Your Chromecast to a Different Room

If you're moving your Chromecast to a different part of your home and the signal is weaker there, you might need to switch to a different network band. Most modern routers broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band travels farther but is slower; the 5 GHz band is faster but doesn't go as far. If your router broadcasts both bands under the same network name, your Chromecast will pick whichever one it thinks is best.

If your router has separate network names for each band (like "MyNetwork" and "MyNetwork-5G"), and your Chromecast is far from the router, connect to the 2.4 GHz network instead. The speed difference won't matter for streaming video, and the longer range will give you a more stable connection. You can always switch back to the 5 GHz network if you move the Chromecast closer to the router later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing networks erase my Chromecast settings or saved apps?

No. Changing the WiFi network does not erase any settings, apps, or preferences on your Chromecast. Your device will keep all its information and will work exactly as it did before, just connected to a different network.

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

The Google Home app is available on Android and iOS phones and tablets, but not on Windows or Mac computers. You'll need to use a phone or tablet to change the network. If you don't have one available, you can borrow someone else's device, sign into your Google account in the Home app, and make the change that way.

What if I forget my WiFi password and can't find it on the router?

You can reset your router to its factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This will restore the default password printed on the router's sticker, but it will also erase any other changes you've made to the router's settings. If you've customized your router, contact your internet provider or router manufacturer for help recovering your password instead.

How long does it take for my Chromecast to connect to a new network?

Most Chromecasts connect to a new network and show as online in the Google Home app within one to two minutes. If it takes longer than five minutes, the connection likely failed—go back and check that you entered the password correctly, then try again.

Can I change my Chromecast's network if I'm not home?

You can only change the network if you're on the same WiFi as your Chromecast, or if you're using a phone connected to the same network. You cannot change it remotely over the internet. If you need to change it while you're away, you'll need to ask someone at home to do it for you, or wait until you return.