The Basic Steps to Cast from Your Computer
To cast your PC to a TV with Chromecast, 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 select whether you want to cast your entire screen or just a single tab. Your TV will display whatever is on your computer within a few seconds. The connection stays active until you click the stop button or close the Cast menu.
You need three things for this to work: a PC running Windows or Mac, the Chrome browser installed, and a Chromecast device already set up on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. If your Chromecast does not appear in the Cast menu, restart both your TV and your computer, then try again.
Key Takeaways
- Cast your entire PC screen or just a Chrome tab by opening the Cast menu in Chrome's three-dot menu and selecting your Chromecast device.
- Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- Casting your whole screen uses more bandwidth and battery than casting a single tab, so choose based on what you need to show.
- If your Chromecast does not appear, restart your TV and computer, then check that both are connected to the same network.
- You can control volume and stop casting from your computer; you do not need the TV remote once casting begins.
Cast Your Entire Screen vs. a Single Tab
Chrome gives you two casting options, and which one you choose depends on what you are trying to show. Casting your entire screen mirrors everything on your monitor to the TV—your desktop, all open windows, and any notifications that pop up. This is useful for presentations, showing photos from multiple folders, or gaming. The downside is that it drains your laptop battery faster and uses more Wi-Fi bandwidth.
Casting a single tab sends only that one Chrome tab to the TV while the rest of your desktop stays private on your computer. This is better for watching videos, displaying a slideshow, or sharing a specific website without showing your email, chat windows, or other open programs. Tab casting also uses less power and network resources.
To choose which option you want, click the three-dot menu in Chrome, hover over Cast, and you will see two buttons: one for your screen and one for a tab. Select the one you need, then pick your Chromecast device.
Troubleshooting When Your Chromecast Does Not Appear
If you open the Cast menu and your Chromecast device is not listed, the most common cause is that your PC and your TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast. You can find the network your Chromecast is on by looking at the Google Home app on your phone or by checking your router's connected devices.
If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart your TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. While the TV restarts, restart Chrome on your computer as well. Once both have restarted, open the Cast menu again. If the device still does not show up, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Another less common issue is that your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the connection. If you have recently installed security software and casting suddenly stopped working, try temporarily disabling it to see if that fixes the problem. If it does, add Chrome to your firewall's allowed programs list.
Controlling Playback and Audio While Casting
Once you are casting, you control what plays on the TV from your computer. If you are casting a tab with a video, the play, pause, and volume buttons in the video player work normally—use them to control what the TV shows. You can also adjust the volume using your computer's keyboard or the volume slider in the Cast menu itself.
The TV remote does not control the cast content. If you want to pause a video or change the volume, you must do it from your computer. This is actually useful because it means you can keep your computer screen off or locked while the TV plays, and the cast will keep going.
To stop casting at any time, click the Cast icon in Chrome and select Stop casting. The TV will go back to its normal input or screensaver. You can also stop casting by turning off your Chromecast device itself, though this is less common.
Casting Games and Interactive Content
Casting works well for turn-based games, videos, and slideshows, but real-time games with fast action may have a slight delay between your keyboard input and what appears on the TV. This lag happens because the video has to travel from your computer to your Chromecast over Wi-Fi, and even a fast connection introduces a small delay—usually less than a second, but enough to affect competitive gaming.
For casual games, puzzle games, or strategy games where a small delay does not matter, casting is fine. For fast-paced shooters or action games where every millisecond counts, you may want to use an HDMI cable instead. If you do cast a game, make sure your computer is plugged in, because gaming drains battery quickly and casting adds to that drain.
Keeping Your Connection Stable
A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential for smooth casting. If your cast keeps dropping or the picture freezes, move your computer closer to your router or Chromecast device. Wi-Fi signals weaken with distance and through walls, so if your router is in one room and your TV is in another, the signal may be too weak.
If other devices are using a lot of bandwidth—someone is downloading a large file, streaming video on another device, or running a video call—your cast may stutter or drop. Ask other people on your network to pause their activities, or move your computer and TV closer to the router to get a stronger signal.
If you are casting from a laptop on battery power, plug it in. Casting uses Wi-Fi continuously, and Wi-Fi drains battery faster than normal use. A plugged-in computer also performs better because it is not throttling its processor to save power.
Casting Audio Only Without the Screen
If you want to play music or a podcast on your TV speakers without showing your computer screen, you can cast just the audio. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, and select Cast. Instead of choosing your Chromecast device directly, look for an option that says Cast audio or similar (this varies by Chrome version). Select that option, then choose your Chromecast device. Now your audio will play through the TV while your computer screen stays private.
This is useful for playing background music at a party, listening to a podcast through better speakers, or playing a video call through the TV's audio system. You can still use your computer for other things while audio is casting—the audio will keep playing even if you switch to a different window or tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read anything to cast from my PC?
No. If you already have Chrome installed, you have everything you need. Chromecast is built into Chrome, so there is no separate app to read or install. Just open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, and select Cast.
Can I cast from a PC that is not connected to the internet?
No. Both your PC and your Chromecast need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your computer is offline or on a different network, casting will not work. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi before you try to cast.
What happens to my PC screen when I cast?
If you cast your entire screen, everything on your monitor appears on the TV, including notifications, open windows, and your taskbar. If you cast a single tab, only that tab shows on the TV and your desktop stays private. You can switch between these two options at any time by opening the Cast menu again.
Can I use my PC while casting?
Yes, if you are casting a single tab. You can use other windows and programs on your computer while that one tab plays on the TV. If you are casting your entire screen, anything you do on your computer will show on the TV, so it is less private.
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 the router, ask others to stop using bandwidth-heavy activities, or plug your laptop in. If the problem continues, restart your router and try casting again.