Casting from Chrome is the simplest way to send what's on your computer screen to your TV

To cast from your Chrome browser to a Chromecast device, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast device from the list, and then pick whether you want to cast a single tab or your entire screen. Your TV will show what you selected within a few seconds. You can stop casting by clicking the Cast icon again and selecting "Stop casting".

The whole process takes less than a minute once your Chromecast is set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You do not need any special software beyond the Chrome browser itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Casting a single tab sends only that browser window to your TV, while casting your entire screen sends everything on your monitor.
  • The Cast option lives in Chrome's three-dot menu and appears only when a Chromecast device is detected on your network.
  • You can pause, rewind, or adjust volume on most content while it is casting, depending on what you are watching.

Finding the Cast option in Chrome

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window. Click those dots to open the menu. Scroll down until you see "Cast" listed among the options. If you do not see "Cast" in the menu, your Chromecast is either not turned on, not connected to Wi-Fi, or on a different network than your computer.

Once you click "Cast", a small window will pop up showing all Chromecast devices available on your network. If you have only one Chromecast, it will be listed by name — usually something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom" depending on what you named it during setup. Select the device you want to use.

Choosing between casting a tab or your entire screen

After you select your Chromecast device, Chrome will ask whether you want to cast a "Tab" or "Entire screen". Casting a tab sends only the active browser window to your TV. This is useful when you want to watch a video, look at photos, or browse a website on the big screen while keeping other browser windows private on your computer.

Casting your entire screen sends everything visible on your monitor to the TV — every window, every icon, every notification. This is helpful when you need to show someone your desktop, walk through a document, or display something that is not in a browser window. The trade-off is that anything on your computer screen will be visible on the TV, so close sensitive windows first.

What happens once casting starts

Once you select your option, the content will appear on your TV within a few seconds. A small Cast icon will appear in the Chrome address bar to show that casting is active. Your computer screen and TV will stay in sync — if you click a link, scroll, or type, those actions appear on the TV in real time.

For video and music content, you can use the controls on your TV remote or on your computer to pause, play, rewind, or adjust volume. Some streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify work smoothly with Chromecast controls. Other websites may not respond to remote controls the same way, so you may need to use your keyboard or trackpad instead.

Stopping a cast session

To stop casting, click the Cast icon in the Chrome address bar (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines coming from the corner). A menu will appear with the name of your Chromecast device. Click "Stop casting" and the connection will end when ready. Your TV will go blank or return to its last input, depending on your TV settings.

You can also stop casting by unplugging your Chromecast or turning it off, though this is less graceful and may leave your TV in an odd state. The proper way is always to use the "Stop casting" button in Chrome.

Troubleshooting when Cast does not appear in the menu

If you do not see the Cast option in Chrome's menu, check these things in order. First, make sure your Chromecast is plugged in and powered on — look for a light on the device itself. Second, confirm that both your computer and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your computer might be on your main network while your Chromecast is on a guest network, which will prevent them from finding each other.

Third, try restarting your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait about 30 seconds for it to fully boot up. If Cast still does not appear, restart your computer and try again. If you still have no luck, check that your Chrome browser is up to date by clicking the three-dot menu, going to "Help", and selecting "About Google Chrome" — it will update automatically if a newer version is available.

Why casting sometimes lags or stutters

Casting depends on your Wi-Fi connection, so a weak signal or congested network can cause the video or audio to lag, stutter, or drop out. If this happens, move your computer closer to your router, or move your Chromecast closer to the router. Reducing the number of other devices using Wi-Fi at the same time can also help.

If you are casting your entire screen rather than a single tab, your computer is working harder and may use more Wi-Fi bandwidth. Switching to tab casting can sometimes improve performance. Closing other browser tabs and applications on your computer can also free up resources and make casting smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Chrome on a Mac and a Windows computer?

Yes. The Cast feature works the same way on both Mac and Windows computers. The three-dot menu location and the steps are identical. You need Chrome version 27 or later, which is automatic if you keep Chrome updated.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network than my computer?

Casting will not work. Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your Chromecast is on a guest network and your computer is on the main network, move one of them to match the other. Check your router settings or ask whoever manages your Wi-Fi.

Can I use my computer while something is casting to the TV?

Yes. When you are casting a single tab, you can switch to other browser windows and your computer will continue sending that tab to the TV. When casting your entire screen, anything you do on your computer will show on the TV, so be careful about opening sensitive files or notifications.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your internet connection directly, so it does not count against your data plan. However, if you are streaming video content through Chrome, that content still uses your internet bandwidth the same way it would if you were just watching on your computer.

What if the video keeps stopping or buffering while I cast?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Try moving closer to your router, reducing other Wi-Fi use, or restarting your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, try casting a single tab instead of your entire screen, which uses less bandwidth.