Casting from Chrome to Chromecast in three steps

To cast your Chrome browser to a Chromecast device, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Cast, choose your Chromecast device from the list, and then pick whether you want to cast your entire screen or just a single tab. Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The cast button appears in the same menu every time, so once you know where it is, the process takes about 10 seconds.

You do not need any special software beyond Chrome itself — the casting feature is built in. If you do not see the Cast option in your menu, your version of Chrome may be outdated; updating it usually solves the problem. Once you start casting, your computer screen (or the tab you selected) appears on your TV in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer and Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • The Cast button lives in Chrome's three-dot menu and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
  • You can cast your entire screen or just a single Chrome tab — choose which one when you select your device.
  • Casting uses your computer's audio and video in real time, so closing Chrome or turning off your computer stops the cast.
  • If the Cast option does not appear, update Chrome to the latest version through the three-dot menu under Help > About Google Chrome.

Finding and clicking the Cast button

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) to open a dropdown list. Scroll down until you see the word Cast with a small TV icon next to it. Click it. A new window will pop up showing all the Chromecast devices on your network.

If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, they will all appear in this list with their names — for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV". Click the one you want to cast to. The window will then ask whether you want to cast your Entire screen or Tab.

Choosing between screen casting and tab casting

Cast Entire Screen sends everything on your computer monitor to the TV — your desktop, all open windows, and anything you click. This is useful when you want to show someone your whole computer or when you are switching between multiple programs. Your mouse and keyboard control what appears on the TV.

Cast Tab sends only the single Chrome tab you are currently viewing. Other tabs, your desktop, and other programs stay on your computer and do not appear on the TV. This is the better choice when you want to show a video, website, or presentation without accidentally displaying something private. If you switch to a different tab, the TV shows that new tab instead.

You can switch between these modes at any time by clicking the Cast button again and selecting a different option. The cast will pause for a moment while it switches.

Making sure your devices are on the same network

Your computer and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and note which network you are on. Then check your Chromecast device — you set up its network when you first plugged it in. If they are on different networks (for example, your computer is on your main Wi-Fi but your Chromecast is on a guest network), the Cast button will not show your device in the list.

If your Chromecast is on a different network, you will need to reconnect it to the same network as your computer. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and follow the setup process again using the Google Home app on your phone or tablet. Select the correct Wi-Fi network during setup.

What to do if the Cast button does not appear

The most common reason the Cast button is missing is that your version of Chrome is out of date. Click the three-dot menu, hover over Help, and click About Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if any are available. After updating, close and reopen Chrome, then look for the Cast button again.

If the Cast button still does not appear after updating, restart your computer. Sometimes Chrome needs a full restart to recognize your Chromecast device on the network. If you still do not see it after restarting, check that your Chromecast is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

Controlling and stopping your cast

While you are casting, your computer controls everything that appears on the TV. If you are casting a tab, you can type, click links, play videos, and scroll — all of it shows up on the TV in real time. If you are casting your entire screen, the same applies to your whole desktop.

To stop casting, click the Cast button again and select Stop casting. The TV will go blank (or return to whatever was on before). You can also stop the cast by closing Chrome, restarting your computer, or unplugging the Chromecast. The cast will also stop if your computer loses its Wi-Fi connection.

Casting audio and video from websites

When you cast a Chrome tab that contains a video or audio player, the sound comes through your TV speakers (or whatever speakers are connected to your Chromecast). The video or audio plays in real time on the TV while you control it from your computer.

Some websites have their own cast button built into the video player — you might see a small TV icon inside the player itself. Clicking that button casts the video directly without opening the Cast menu. This works the same way as casting through Chrome's menu, but it is faster if you are watching a single video.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. When you cast a tab, your other tabs and programs stay on your computer and do not appear on the TV. When you cast your entire screen, anything you do on your computer shows up on the TV, so you will see your mouse movements and any windows you open. You can minimize Chrome or switch to another program if you want privacy.

What happens if I close Chrome while casting?

The cast stops when ready and the TV goes blank. If you were casting a tab, closing that specific tab also stops the cast. Closing other tabs does not affect the cast.

Can I cast from my phone or tablet to Chromecast?

Yes, but the process is different from casting from Chrome on a computer. On Android phones and tablets, open the app you want to cast from (YouTube, Netflix, Chrome, etc.), look for the Cast icon, and tap it. On iPhones and iPads, some apps have a Cast button, but not all do. This article covers casting from Chrome on a computer only.

Why is my cast lagging or freezing?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is busy. Move your computer closer to your router, or reduce the number of devices using the network. You can also try casting a single tab instead of your entire screen, which uses less bandwidth.

Do I need a Google account to cast?

No. You set up your Chromecast with a Google account when you first plugged it in, but you do not need to be signed into Google on your computer to cast. As long as your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, casting works.