Casting from a Chromebook to Chromecast is built into Chrome OS

Your Chromebook has a Cast feature built directly into the operating system. You do not need to read anything or sign up for a separate service. When you cast, your Chromebook sends video and audio to your Chromecast device over your home network, and what you see on your laptop screen appears on your TV or monitor.

The process takes about 30 seconds once you have set up your Chromecast device and connected both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. You can cast your entire screen, a single browser tab, or just audio from a music or video app.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chromebook and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • Open the Cast menu from the system tray (bottom right corner), select your Chromecast device, and choose whether to cast your entire screen or just a tab.
  • Casting your whole screen drains your Chromebook battery faster than casting a single tab.
  • You can stop casting by opening the Cast menu again and clicking the stop button, or by unplugging your Chromecast.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

Before you cast, confirm that your Chromebook and your Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your Chromebook should show the network name in the bottom right corner of the screen, next to the Wi-Fi icon. Your Chromecast device displays its connected network on the TV screen during setup, or you can check it in the Google Home app on your phone.

If they are on different networks, your Chromebook will not see your Chromecast device. Switch your Chromebook to the correct network by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right, selecting the network name, and entering the password if prompted.

Open the Cast menu and select your device

Click the system tray in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen. This opens a menu showing your Wi-Fi, volume, battery, and other system controls. Look for the Cast icon—it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the bottom left corner. Click it.

A list of available Chromecast devices on your network will appear. Click the name of the Chromecast device you want to use. If you do not see your device listed, make sure it is plugged in, powered on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook.

Choose what to cast: your whole screen or a single tab

After you select your Chromecast device, a dialog box appears asking what you want to cast. You have two main options: Cast screen or Cast tab.

Cast screen sends everything on your Chromebook display to your TV, including your desktop, open windows, and notifications. This is useful when you want to show a presentation, browse the web together, or display photos. Your Chromebook screen stays on and active while casting.

Cast tab sends only the content of a single browser tab to your TV. This is better for watching videos or streaming music because it uses less battery power and does not display your desktop or other open windows. Select the tab you want to cast from the dropdown menu, then click Cast.

What happens while you are casting

Once casting starts, a small Cast icon appears in your system tray to show that an active connection is running. Your Chromebook screen may dim slightly, and you will see the content on your TV a moment or two after it appears on your laptop. The delay is usually less than one second.

You can continue using your Chromebook while casting. If you are casting a tab, you can open other tabs, check email, or work in other windows without interrupting the cast. If you are casting your entire screen, everything you do on your Chromebook will appear on the TV.

Casting drains your Chromebook battery faster than normal use, especially when casting your whole screen. Keep your charger nearby if you plan to cast for more than an hour.

Stop casting whenever you want

To stop casting, click the system tray in the bottom right corner again. The Cast icon should now be highlighted or show an active status. Click it, and you will see a menu with your currently connected device. Click Stop casting or the stop icon next to the device name.

The connection stops when ready, and your content no longer appears on the TV. Your Chromebook screen returns to normal, and your battery drain returns to its regular rate. You can also stop casting by unplugging your Chromecast device or turning it off, though using the Cast menu is cleaner.

Troubleshooting when your Chromebook will not cast

If the Cast icon does not appear in your system tray, your Chromebook may be running an older version of Chrome OS. Restart your Chromebook to see if the icon appears. If it still does not show up, open Settings from the system tray, click About Chrome OS, and let your Chromebook read and install any pending updates. Restart when prompted.

If the Cast icon appears but your Chromecast device does not show up in the list, unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. This usually takes about two minutes. Then try opening the Cast menu again. If your device still does not appear, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If you see your Chromecast in the list but the cast fails to start, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some networks separate devices into different bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Your Chromebook and Chromecast should both be on the same band. Check your router settings or contact your internet provider if you are unsure how to check this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from a Chromebook to a Chromecast in another room?

Yes, as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. The distance does not matter—your Chromebook can cast to a Chromecast on a different floor or in a different part of your home. The connection goes through your Wi-Fi router, not directly between the devices.

What if I want to cast audio only, not video?

If you are playing music or a podcast in a browser tab, cast that tab to your Chromecast. The audio will play through your TV or speaker system, and the video will not display. Some music apps like Spotify also have their own built-in cast button that you can use instead of the Chrome OS Cast menu.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your internet connection. The data stays between your Chromebook and Chromecast. However, if you are streaming video from the internet while casting, that stream does use your internet bandwidth as normal.

Can I use my Chromebook while casting without showing it on the TV?

If you are casting a single tab, yes—you can open other tabs and windows without them appearing on the TV. If you are casting your entire screen, everything you do will show on the TV. Switch to casting a tab if you want privacy while the cast is running.

What should I do if the cast keeps disconnecting?

Move your Chromebook closer to your Wi-Fi router or Chromecast device. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can weaken the signal. If disconnections continue, restart both your Chromebook and Chromecast, then try casting again. If the problem persists, your Wi-Fi network may be unstable—restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.