The Basic Steps to Cast YouTube to Your Chromecast Device

To cast a YouTube video to your TV, open the YouTube app or website on your phone, tablet, or computer, find the video you want to watch, and tap or click the Cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner). Select your Chromecast device from the list that appears, and the video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone or tablet becomes a remote — you can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and browse for new videos without interrupting playback.

The Cast icon appears in slightly different places depending on what device you are using. On the YouTube mobile app, it is in the top right corner of the video player. On a computer browser, it is also in the top right of the video player, next to the fullscreen button. If you do not see the Cast icon, your device and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network — check your connections first.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast icon appears in the YouTube app or website on your phone, tablet, or computer, and tapping it shows all available Chromecast devices on your network.
  • Your phone or tablet stays connected to the Chromecast and acts as a remote control while the video plays on your TV.
  • Both your casting device and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • You can queue up multiple videos, adjust playback speed, and control volume from your phone while the video plays on the TV.

Setting Up Your Phone or Tablet to Cast

Before you cast, make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and select the network name — it is usually the same network your TV or Chromecast is already using. Once both devices are on the same network, open the YouTube app or go to YouTube.com in your browser.

If you are using the YouTube app on Android or iPhone, sign in with your Google account. This is not required to cast, but it lets YouTube remember your watch history and recommendations. On a computer, you can cast without signing in, though signing in gives you the same benefits.

Casting from the YouTube App on Your Phone or Tablet

Open the YouTube app and search for or navigate to the video you want to watch. Once the video is playing, look at the top right corner of the video player. You will see the Cast icon — it looks like a small rectangle with three curved lines coming from the bottom left corner. Tap it.

A menu will pop up showing all the Chromecast devices available on your Wi-Fi network. Each device will be labeled with a name (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV"). Tap the device you want to cast to. The video will stop on your phone and start playing on your TV within two to five seconds. Your phone screen will show a smaller version of the video player with playback controls.

While the video plays on your TV, you can use your phone to pause, play, rewind, or fast-forward. You can also adjust the volume using your phone's volume buttons or the volume slider in the YouTube player. If you want to watch a different video, search for it on your phone and tap Cast again — the new video will start playing on your TV.

Casting from a Computer Browser

Open YouTube.com in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on your computer. Find the video you want to watch and start playing it. In the top right corner of the video player, next to the fullscreen button, you will see the Cast icon. Click it.

A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Click the device you want to cast to. The video will begin playing on your TV, and your computer will show a small player window. You can minimize your browser, close tabs, or even lock your computer — the video will keep playing on your TV. To control playback, use the player window on your computer or your TV remote if your Chromecast supports it.

Controlling Playback While Casting

Once a video is casting to your TV, your phone, tablet, or computer becomes a remote control. The playback controls appear on your device's screen: play, pause, rewind 10 seconds, fast-forward 10 seconds, and a progress bar to jump to any point in the video. You can also adjust volume, turn subtitles on or off, and change the video quality.

To stop casting, tap or click the Cast icon again and select "Stop casting" from the menu. The video will stop playing on your TV, and your device will no longer be connected to the Chromecast. If you want to cast a different video, tap the Cast icon again and select the same Chromecast device — you do not need to disconnect first.

Troubleshooting Common Casting Problems

If the Cast icon does not appear, the most common reason is that your phone, tablet, or computer is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. Restart your Wi-Fi router if other devices are also having trouble connecting.

If the Cast icon appears but your Chromecast device does not show up in the list, try restarting your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If you are casting from a computer and the video starts but then stops after a few seconds, check that your computer's firewall is not blocking the connection — some security software can interfere with Chromecast.

If the video is buffering or playing slowly on your TV, move your casting device closer to your Wi-Fi router or Chromecast. Thick walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. You can also try lowering the video quality in the YouTube player settings — tap the three dots in the top right corner of the video player and select "Quality" to choose a lower resolution.

Casting YouTube Playlists and Live Streams

You can cast entire playlists the same way you cast individual videos. Open a playlist in the YouTube app or on YouTube.com, tap or click the Cast icon, and select your Chromecast device. The first video in the playlist will start playing on your TV, and when it finishes, the next video will play automatically. You can skip to the next video or reorder the playlist using your phone or computer.

Live streams cast the same way as regular videos. Open the live stream, tap the Cast icon, and select your device. The stream will begin playing on your TV with a slight delay — usually two to five seconds behind the live broadcast. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward through the stream depending on whether the broadcaster allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone while a video is casting?

Yes. Once the video is casting, your phone is just a remote control. You can open other apps, check email, or browse the web without stopping the video on your TV. The video will keep playing as long as your phone stays connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

What happens if I lose Wi-Fi while casting?

The video will stop playing on your TV, and you will see an error message on your phone. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and tap the Cast icon again to resume. If the video was paused when you lost connection, it will resume from that point once you reconnect.

Can I cast YouTube from my computer to my TV?

Yes. Open YouTube.com in your browser, click the Cast icon in the video player, and select your Chromecast device. The video will play on your TV, and you can control it from your computer. You can minimize or close your browser window and the video will keep playing.

Do I need a YouTube account to cast videos?

No. You can cast videos without signing in to YouTube. However, signing in lets YouTube save your watch history and show personalized recommendations on all your devices.

Why does the Cast icon not appear in YouTube?

The Cast icon only appears if your device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check your Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the correct network. If you are on the right network, restart your YouTube app or refresh your browser and try again.