Cast Hulu to Chromecast in Three Steps

To cast Hulu to your TV through Chromecast, open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet, start playing a show or movie, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the video will play on your TV while you control it from your phone. The entire process takes about 10 seconds once you've set up your Chromecast device on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.

Your phone becomes a remote control during casting — you can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust volume without touching your TV remote. The Hulu app stays open on your phone, but the video plays only on the television screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, and Chromecast device must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • The cast icon appears inside the Hulu app itself, not in your phone's settings — look for it during playback or in the app menu.
  • You can cast from the Hulu app on Android phones, iPhones, iPads, and tablets, but not from a web browser on a computer.
  • If the cast icon does not appear, restart both your Chromecast device and the Hulu app, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Check Your Network Connection Before Casting

Chromecast casting only works when your phone and your Chromecast device are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are on a guest network or a different network than your Chromecast, the cast icon will not show up in the Hulu app, or the connection will fail partway through.

To verify your connection, open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches the one your Chromecast is connected to. If you set up your Chromecast recently, it should have connected to your main home network automatically. You can check which network your Chromecast is on by opening the Google Home app, selecting your Chromecast device, tapping the settings icon (gear), and looking at the Wi-Fi section.

Find and Tap the Cast Icon in Hulu

Start playing any show or movie in the Hulu app. Once video is playing, look for the cast icon in the top right corner of the screen — it looks like a small rectangle with three curved lines coming from the bottom left corner. On some phones, you may need to tap the screen once to make the playback controls appear if they are hidden.

Tap the cast icon. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear within a few seconds. If no devices show up, your phone and Chromecast are not on the same network, or your Chromecast is not powered on. Select your Chromecast device from the list by tapping its name.

What Happens After You Select Your Device

After you tap your Chromecast device name, the video will begin playing on your TV within 5 to 10 seconds. Your phone screen will show a smaller version of the video with playback controls at the bottom. The Hulu app will remain open on your phone, but the main video plays only on the television.

Your phone now acts as a remote. You can pause, play, rewind 10 seconds, fast-forward 10 seconds, and adjust volume using the controls on your phone screen. You can also lock your phone or switch to another app — the video will keep playing on your TV. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or straightforward close the Hulu app.

Common Reasons the Cast Icon Does Not Appear

Same Wi-Fi network: This is the most common issue. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your Chromecast settings (in the Google Home app) and confirm they show the same network name. If your router has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone to the same band your Chromecast is using.

Chromecast is off or not set up: Make sure your Chromecast device is plugged in and powered on. If it is brand new, set it up using the Google Home app before trying to cast. Hulu app is outdated: Open your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store), search for Hulu, and install any available updates. An older version of the app may not have the cast feature working properly.

Restart both devices: Unplug your Chromecast from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (about 1 minute). At the same time, close the Hulu app completely on your phone, wait 10 seconds, and reopen it. Then try casting again.

Casting from Different Devices

You can cast Hulu from an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet as long as the Hulu app is installed and you are signed into your Hulu account. The steps are identical across all devices — find the cast icon during playback and select your Chromecast.

You cannot cast Hulu to Chromecast from a web browser on a computer or laptop, even if you are on the same network. The cast feature only works through the Hulu mobile app. If you want to watch Hulu on your TV from a computer, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your computer directly to your TV, or use a different streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV.

Troubleshooting When Casting Stops or Fails

If the video starts playing but then stops, or if you see a buffering message on your TV, your Wi-Fi connection may be too slow or unstable. Move your Chromecast device closer to your Wi-Fi router, or move your phone closer to the router while you are casting. If other devices in your home are using a lot of bandwidth (downloading large files, streaming video on multiple TVs), pause those activities and try casting again.

If the cast connection drops completely, your phone and Chromecast may have lost connection to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings, reconnect to your home network if needed, and try casting again. If this happens frequently, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting 2 minutes for it to fully restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone while casting Hulu to Chromecast?

Yes. Once casting starts, your phone acts as a remote control. You can lock your phone, switch to other apps, or even leave the room — the video will keep playing on your TV. The Hulu app stays open in the background, but you do not need to keep it on your screen.

What if I have multiple Chromecast devices in my home?

When you tap the cast icon, a list of all available Chromecast devices on your network will appear. Select the one you want to cast to. You can switch between devices by tapping the cast icon again and choosing a different device — the video will move to the new TV.

Does casting Hulu use a lot of data on my phone?

No. Once casting starts, your phone is only sending control signals to your Chromecast device. The video itself streams directly from Hulu's servers to your Chromecast over Wi-Fi, not through your phone. Your phone's data usage is minimal during casting.

Why does the video look blurry or pixelated on my TV?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, or move your phone closer to the router while you set up the cast. If your router is far from your TV, consider using a Wi-Fi extender or moving the router to a more central location in your home.

Can I cast Hulu from my computer to Chromecast?

Not directly through the Hulu app. Hulu's cast feature only works on the mobile app for phones and tablets. If you want to watch Hulu on your TV from a computer, connect an HDMI cable from your computer to your TV, or use a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick that has the Hulu app built in.