The basic setup: what you need before you start

To cast to an LG TV using Chromecast, you need three things: a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port on your LG TV, both your Chromecast and your phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network, and a compatible app on the device you're casting from. The Chromecast itself is a small dongle that costs between $30 and $100 depending on the model. LG TVs do not have Chromecast built in, so you must buy the device separately.

Before you plug anything in, check that your LG TV has an available HDMI port and that you know your Wi-Fi network name and password. You will need the password during setup. If your TV is wall-mounted or in a tight space, measure the distance from the HDMI port to where your router sits — a weak Wi-Fi signal will cause casting to stall or drop.

Key Takeaways

  • You must buy a separate Chromecast device and plug it into an HDMI port; LG TVs do not have Chromecast built in.
  • Both your Chromecast and the device you are casting from must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • After plugging in the Chromecast, use the Google Home app on your phone to complete setup and name your device.
  • Once set up, you cast from apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Chrome by tapping the cast icon — no pairing code needed after the first time.
  • If casting fails, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Plugging in the Chromecast and connecting to Wi-Fi

Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your LG TV. If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, use any one except the one labeled eARC or ARC unless you know what those are for. Plug the power cable into the Chromecast and then into a wall outlet or USB port. The device will take 30 seconds to a minute to boot up — you will see a light on the Chromecast itself when it is ready.

Use your remote to switch your LG TV to the HDMI input where you plugged the Chromecast. You should see a setup screen on your TV that says "Set up your Chromecast" or shows a pairing code. Leave the TV on this screen. On your phone or tablet, read the Google Home app if you do not already have it. Open the app and tap the plus sign in the top left corner, then select "Set up device" and "Set up new device." The app will search for your Chromecast and find it within a few seconds.

When the app finds your Chromecast, it will ask you to confirm the four-digit code shown on your TV screen. Tap the code in the Google Home app to confirm. The app will then ask you to choose your Wi-Fi network and enter your password. Select your network and type the password exactly as it is — capitalization and special characters matter. The Chromecast will connect and the setup screen on your TV will disappear.

Naming your Chromecast so you can find it later

After your Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi, the Google Home app will ask you to name it. Give it a name that tells you which room it is in — "Living Room TV" or "Bedroom Chromecast" works well. If you have more than one Chromecast in your home, a clear name makes it much faster to cast to the right one. You can change the name later in the Google Home app by tapping the device, then the settings icon.

The app will also ask whether you want to turn on voice control and whether you want to share your device with other people in your home. You can skip these steps or set them up now — either way, you can change them later. Once you finish, your Chromecast is ready to use.

Casting from your phone or computer

To cast video or audio from your phone, open an app that supports Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Chrome are the most common. Look for a cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the bottom left corner. Tap it. A list of nearby Chromecast devices will appear. Tap the name of your Chromecast. The video or audio will start playing on your TV within a few seconds, and you can control it from your phone.

To cast from a computer, open Google Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Cast" and then choose your Chromecast from the list. You can cast a single tab or your entire screen. If you cast a tab, you can still use your computer for other things while the video plays on your TV. If you cast your entire screen, everything on your computer will appear on the TV.

While you are casting, your phone or computer acts as a remote. You can pause, rewind, or skip forward without touching your TV remote. If you close the app or turn off your phone, the video will stop.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If the cast icon does not appear in an app, that app does not support Chromecast. Try casting from Chrome instead by opening the website in your browser and then casting the tab. If the cast icon appears but your Chromecast does not show up in the list, both devices are probably not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network as your Chromecast. You can see which network your Chromecast is on in the Google Home app by tapping the device and looking at the Wi-Fi section.

If your Chromecast is on the right network but casting still fails, restart it by unplugging the power cable for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the light to come back on. Restart your phone or computer as well. Try casting again. If it still does not work, open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast, tap the settings icon, and select "Reboot device." This will restart the Chromecast from the app without unplugging it.

If your TV shows "No Signal" or "HDMI Not Connected," the Chromecast may have come loose or the HDMI port may be damaged. Unplug the Chromecast, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. If that does not work, try a different HDMI port on your TV. If no HDMI port works, the Chromecast may be defective and you may need to replace it.

Casting to an LG TV with built-in Google TV

Some newer LG TVs come with Google TV built in, which means they have Chromecast functionality without needing a separate device. If your LG TV has Google TV, you do not need to buy a Chromecast dongle. Instead, go to your TV's settings, find the system or network section, and make sure your TV is connected to Wi-Fi. Then open an app like YouTube on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV from the list.

You can tell if your LG TV has Google TV by looking at the home screen when you turn it on. If you see rows of apps and recommendations, it probably has Google TV. If you see the LG webOS menu with a taskbar at the bottom, it does not. Check your TV's manual or the LG website with your model number if you are not sure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Chromecast if my LG TV has AirPlay?

No. If your LG TV supports AirPlay, you can cast from iPhones and iPads without a Chromecast. However, Chromecast works with Android phones and computers, while AirPlay only works with Apple devices. If you use both Apple and Android devices, you may want both options.

Can I cast to my LG TV if my phone is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to your TV unless you use a VPN to connect to your home network, which is complicated and not recommended for everyday use.

What if my Chromecast keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Move your router closer to your Chromecast or move the Chromecast closer to your router. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can block the Wi-Fi signal. If moving the router is not possible, try a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network to strengthen the signal in the room where your TV is.

Can I use Chromecast without the Google Home app?

You need the Google Home app only for the first setup. After that, you cast directly from apps like YouTube or Netflix using the cast icon. You do not need to open Google Home every time you want to cast.

Is Chromecast free after I buy the device?

Yes. Once you own a Chromecast, there are no monthly fees or subscriptions to use it. You pay only for the apps and services you cast from — Netflix, YouTube Premium, Spotify, and so on — just as you would on any other device.