The basic way to cast from your PC to Chromecast

To cast from a Windows or Mac computer to a Chromecast device, you use Google Chrome's built-in casting feature. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Cast, choose your Chromecast device from the list, and your screen or a single tab will stream to your TV. The device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

The process takes about 30 seconds once you have everything set up. Your Chromecast needs power and a working internet connection, and your PC needs to be within reasonable range of your Wi-Fi router. If your Chromecast is not appearing in the Cast menu, the most common reason is that it is connected to a different Wi-Fi network than your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Chrome's Cast feature is built in and free—you do not need to read anything extra to cast from your PC.
  • Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, or casting will not work.
  • You can cast your entire screen or just a single Chrome tab, depending on what you are trying to do.
  • If your Chromecast does not appear in the Cast menu, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.

Casting your entire screen versus a single tab

Chrome gives you two casting options. Cast tab sends only what is open in that one browser tab to your TV, while Cast entire screen mirrors everything on your monitor—including your desktop, other windows, and notifications. Choose tab casting if you want to keep working on your PC while something plays on the TV. Choose screen casting if you want to show your full desktop or switch between multiple windows on the big screen.

Tab casting uses less bandwidth and battery power than screen casting. If you are streaming video or audio from a website, tab casting is usually the better choice because it sends only the content you want, not your entire desktop. Screen casting is useful for presentations, showing photos from multiple folders, or when you need to switch between different applications while presenting.

Setting up your Chromecast for the first time

Before you can cast, your Chromecast must be set up and connected to Wi-Fi. Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV and a power outlet. Your TV will show a setup screen with a code. On your phone or computer, go to google.com/chromecast/setup, follow the prompts, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter your password. The Chromecast will connect and show a confirmation screen on your TV.

Write down the name of your Chromecast (it usually appears as something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom") because you will see this name in Chrome's Cast menu. If setup fails, restart the Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If your Wi-Fi network is not appearing during setup, move the Chromecast closer to your router temporarily.

Troubleshooting when your Chromecast does not appear

If you do not see your Chromecast in Chrome's Cast menu, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your computer's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name. Then check your Chromecast by looking at the screen on your TV—it should show the network name it is connected to. If they do not match, reconnect the Chromecast to the correct network using the setup process again.

If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart your computer and your Chromecast. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot (about 30 seconds). Then try opening the Cast menu in Chrome again. If you are using a VPN or corporate network, some networks block casting—try connecting to a standard home Wi-Fi network to test.

Casting audio and video from websites

Many websites and streaming services work with Chromecast. When you cast a tab that is playing video or music, the content streams to your TV while your PC can go to sleep or be used for other things. Some services like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have their own cast buttons built into their apps, which is more reliable than casting the entire tab.

If a website has a cast button, use it instead of Chrome's tab casting—it usually gives you better quality and more control. If you do not see a cast button on the website, use Chrome's tab casting feature instead. Keep in mind that some websites do not work well with casting because they require your computer to stay active or because they block casting for copyright reasons.

Casting from Mac computers

Mac computers use the same Chrome casting process as Windows PCs. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select Cast, and choose your device. The only difference is that on a Mac, you may need to grant Chrome permission to access your screen the first time you cast. If a permission dialog appears, click Allow. After that, casting works the same way as on Windows.

Mac users should also check that their Wi-Fi network is the same as the Chromecast's network. The troubleshooting steps for Mac are identical to Windows—restart both devices, check the network connection, and make sure the Chromecast is fully booted before trying again.

When to call for help

If your Chromecast is not connecting to Wi-Fi at all (the TV screen shows an error or a spinning loading icon after 5 minutes), the device may be faulty or your router may not be broadcasting the network properly. Try moving the Chromecast closer to the router. If it still will not connect, contact Google support or the retailer where you bought the device.

If your computer recognizes the Chromecast but the cast connection drops repeatedly, the problem is usually Wi-Fi signal strength. Move your router closer to the Chromecast, or move the Chromecast closer to the router. If you are casting from far away or through multiple walls, the signal may be too weak. A Wi-Fi extender or mesh network can help, but that is beyond the scope of basic casting setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Chrome on a Mac?

Yes. Mac computers use the same Chrome casting feature as Windows PCs. The process is identical—open Chrome, click the menu, select Cast, and choose your device. Mac users may see a permission prompt the first time they cast, asking to allow Chrome to access the screen. Click Allow and casting will work.

What if my Wi-Fi network has a space or special character in the name?

Chromecast can connect to networks with spaces and most special characters in the name. If you are having trouble, try entering the network password again during setup. If the network name contains characters like @ or &, some older Chromecast models may have trouble—check your device's documentation or contact Google support.

Can I cast if my computer is on a different Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz)?

Most Chromecast devices work on 2.4 GHz only, though newer models support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If your computer is on 5 GHz and your Chromecast is on 2.4 GHz, they will not see each other. Check your router settings to see which band each device is using, and connect them both to the same band.

Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?

Casting streams over your local Wi-Fi network, not through the internet, so it does not use your internet plan's data. However, if the content you are casting (like a YouTube video) requires internet, that bandwidth does count. Casting itself is not data-heavy—the main factor is the quality of the video or audio you are streaming.

Can I cast from a web browser other than Chrome?

Casting is a Chrome feature and works best in Chrome. Some other browsers like Edge have casting built in, but support varies. For the most reliable casting experience, use Google Chrome. If you want to cast from a different browser, check that browser's documentation to see if it supports Chromecast.