The Basic Steps to Cast Your PC to a Chromecast Device

To cast your PC screen to a TV with Chromecast, open Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast device from the list, and then select "Cast desktop" or "Cast tab" depending on what you want to share. Your PC screen will then appear on the TV within a few seconds. The connection stays active as long as Chrome remains open and your PC stays connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device.

The entire process takes less than a minute once you have everything set up. You do not need any special software beyond Chrome, and you can stop casting at any time by clicking the Cast button again and selecting "Stop casting".

Key Takeaways

  • Your PC and Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • You can cast either your entire desktop or just a single Chrome tab, depending on what you need to show on the TV.
  • The Cast button appears in the Chrome menu — if you do not see it, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of Chrome.
  • Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, so moving far from your router or losing signal will interrupt the connection.

What You Need Before You Start

You need three things: a PC running Windows or Mac, a Chromecast device plugged into your TV, and Google Chrome installed on your computer. Your Chromecast should already be set up and connected to your Wi-Fi network — if you have not done that yet, follow the setup instructions that came with the device or check the Chromecast app on your phone.

Make sure your PC is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. If your PC is on a different network or a guest network, casting will not work. You can check your Wi-Fi connection in your system settings — on Windows, look in the bottom right corner of the taskbar; on Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner of the menu bar.

Casting Your Entire Desktop vs. a Single Tab

When you click the Cast button in Chrome, you will see two options: "Cast desktop" and "Cast tab". Cast desktop sends everything on your screen to the TV — your entire desktop, all open windows, and anything you do on your PC. This is useful when you want to show a presentation, browse the web together, or share photos from your file explorer. Cast tab sends only the Chrome tab you are currently viewing, leaving everything else on your PC private. This is better when you want to share one video or website without showing your other open windows or notifications.

You can switch between these two modes at any time. If you are casting your desktop and want to switch to a single tab instead, click the Cast button again, select your device, and choose "Cast tab". The change happens when ready.

Troubleshooting When Your PC Does Not Appear in the Cast List

If you click Cast and do not see your Chromecast device listed, the most common reason is that your PC and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your PC's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast. You can find the network your Chromecast is on by opening the Google Home app on your phone, tapping your Chromecast device, and looking at the Wi-Fi network listed there.

If both devices are on the same network and your Chromecast still does not appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then close Chrome completely on your PC and open it again. If the Cast button itself is missing from your Chrome menu, update Chrome by clicking the three-dot menu, going to "Help", and selecting "About Google Chrome" — Chrome will check for updates and install them automatically.

Managing Your Cast Connection and Stopping When Done

While you are casting, your PC screen will show a small notification in the corner letting you know that casting is active. You can continue using your PC normally — open new windows, switch between programs, or adjust your screen brightness without affecting what appears on the TV. The TV will show whatever is on your PC screen in real time.

To stop casting, click the Cast button in Chrome again and select "Stop casting". The connection will end when ready and your TV will return to whatever it was showing before. You can also stop casting by unplugging the Chromecast device, though this is not necessary — straightforward stopping the cast from Chrome is cleaner.

Why Your Cast Connection Might Drop

If your casting suddenly stops, the most likely cause is that your PC lost its Wi-Fi connection or moved out of range of your router. Casting requires a constant connection between your PC and Chromecast, so if your Wi-Fi signal weakens, the cast will pause or disconnect. Moving your router closer to your PC, or moving your PC closer to the router, can help.

Another reason casting might drop is if Chrome crashes or closes. If you accidentally close the Chrome window while casting, the connection ends when ready. Reopen Chrome and start the cast again. If your Chromecast device loses power or is unplugged, casting will also stop — the device will not reconnect automatically, so you will need to start the cast again once the Chromecast is back online.

Casting Audio and Video Separately

When you cast your desktop, both video and audio from your PC go to the TV. If you are watching a video or listening to music, you will hear it through your TV speakers. However, if you want to keep audio on your PC and send only the video to the TV, you will need to adjust your audio settings in Windows or Mac before you start casting.

On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner, select "Open Volume mixer", and make sure your audio output is set to your PC speakers rather than your TV. On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings", select "Sound", and choose your Mac speakers as the output device. Once you have done this, your PC will play audio through its own speakers while the video still appears on the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Chromecast Ultra or any special version?

No. Any Chromecast device — including the standard Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, or older models — can receive a cast from your PC. The casting feature works the same way across all versions.

Can I cast from a PC that is not connected to Wi-Fi?

No. Both your PC and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your PC does not have Wi-Fi, you cannot cast to Chromecast. Some PCs can create a mobile hotspot that your Chromecast could join, but this is not a standard setup and may not work reliably.

What happens to my PC when I am casting?

Your PC continues to work normally. You can open new programs, switch windows, or pause what you are doing without interrupting the cast. Everything on your screen appears on the TV in real time, so be mindful of notifications or private information that might pop up.

Can I cast from multiple PCs to the same Chromecast at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If a second PC tries to cast while another is already casting, the first cast will stop and the second one will begin.

Why is my cast lagging or delayed?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move closer to your router, reduce the number of devices using Wi-Fi, or restart your router. Casting over Wi-Fi will always have a slight delay compared to a wired connection, but it should be under one second for normal use.