What Screen Casting Does and How to Start
Screen casting sends what you see on your computer, phone, or tablet to a TV or monitor connected to a Chromecast device. The Chromecast receiver plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, you can cast from Chrome on Windows or Mac, from Android phones and tablets, or from iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later.
The simplest way to cast is through the Chrome browser itself. You open Chrome, click the menu button (three vertical dots), find the Cast option, select your Chromecast device, and your screen or a single tab appears on the TV. No cables run between your computer and TV—everything travels over Wi-Fi.
Before you start, make sure your Chromecast device is plugged in, powered on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or phone. If your Chromecast is new, you'll need to set it up first using the Google Home app on a phone or tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Screen casting from Chrome requires your computer and Chromecast device to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
- You cast through the Chrome browser menu by clicking the three-dot icon, selecting Cast, and choosing your device.
- You can cast your entire screen, a single Chrome tab, or a file from your computer to the TV.
- Casting stops when you close the Cast menu, disconnect from the device, or close your browser.
- If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the Cast menu, restart both your computer and the Chromecast device and check that both are on the same network.
Setting Up Your Chromecast Device Before You Cast
A new Chromecast needs to be set up before you can cast to it. Use the Google Home app on any phone or tablet to complete this. Plug the Chromecast into your TV's HDMI port, wait for the setup screen to appear on your TV, then open Google Home on your phone, tap the plus icon to add a device, and follow the prompts to connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network.
During setup, you'll name your Chromecast (for example, "Living Room TV" or "Bedroom Screen") and choose which Wi-Fi network it should use. Make sure you select the same network your computer will use to cast. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, either one works, but some older devices cast more reliably on 2.4 GHz.
Once setup is complete, your Chromecast is ready to receive casts. You can unplug the phone or tablet you used to set it up—you won't need it again unless you want to change the Chromecast's name or network later.
Casting Your Entire Screen from a Windows or Mac Computer
Open Chrome on your computer and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Scroll down and click Cast. A panel opens on the right side of your screen showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Click the device you want to cast to.
A second panel appears asking whether you want to cast your entire screen or just a Chrome tab. Select Cast entire screen if you want to send everything your monitor shows to the TV. Your computer screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. The Cast panel stays open on your computer so you can disconnect or switch devices at any time.
While you're casting your entire screen, anything you do on your computer appears on the TV in real time—opening files, typing, moving your mouse, all of it. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or sharing what you're working on. The TV acts as a second display, but it's not a true extended desktop; it's a live mirror of what your computer shows.
Casting a Single Chrome Tab Instead of Your Whole Screen
If you only want to send one browser tab to the TV and keep other windows private on your computer, cast a tab instead of your entire screen. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, and select Cast. In the panel that opens, click Cast tab instead of Cast entire screen. Then choose your Chromecast device.
Only the content in that one tab appears on the TV. You can open other browser tabs, minimize Chrome, or switch to other programs on your computer without affecting what the TV shows. This is helpful when you're watching a video or presentation and want to keep notes or messages hidden from the audience.
If you close the tab you're casting, the TV goes blank. If you want to switch to a different tab, stop the current cast, then start a new cast from the tab you want to show.
Casting from Your Phone or Tablet
On Android phones and tablets, open the app you want to cast from—YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos, or any app that supports casting. Look for the Cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner) and tap it. A list of available Chromecast devices appears. Tap the device you want to cast to, and the content starts playing on your TV.
On iPhones and iPads, the process depends on the app. Some apps like YouTube have a built-in Cast button. Others use AirPlay instead, which is Apple's casting system. If an app doesn't have a Cast button, it may not support Chromecast on iOS. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm.
When you cast from a phone or tablet, the device acts as a remote control. You can pause, play, adjust volume, and skip forward or backward from your phone while the content plays on the TV. Casting stops when you tap the Cast icon again and select "Disconnect" or when you close the app.
Troubleshooting When Your Chromecast Doesn't Appear
If you open the Cast menu and your Chromecast device doesn't show up, the most common cause is that your computer and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your computer's network settings and confirm you're connected to the same network name (SSID) as the Chromecast. If you're on a guest network or a different band, switch to the main network.
Restart both your computer and the Chromecast device. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the setup screen to appear on your TV. Then try opening the Cast menu again. Restarting clears temporary connection problems that prevent devices from finding each other.
If the device still doesn't appear, check that Chrome is up to date. Open Chrome's menu, click Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome automatically updates if a newer version is available. After updating, restart Chrome and try casting again.
Stopping a Cast and Disconnecting
To stop casting, click the Cast icon in Chrome (or in your phone app) and select Disconnect. The TV screen goes blank or returns to the Chromecast home screen. You can also stop a cast by closing the Chrome tab you were casting, closing Chrome entirely, or putting your computer to sleep.
If you cast your entire screen and then close the Cast panel without clicking Disconnect, the cast continues until you click the Cast icon again and disconnect. This is useful if you want to hide the Cast panel but keep the content on the TV, but it can also catch you off guard if you forget you're still casting.
Disconnecting stops the cast but does not turn off your Chromecast device. The device stays powered and connected to Wi-Fi, ready for the next cast. To fully power down the Chromecast, unplug it from the TV's HDMI port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast if my computer and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks?
No. Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your home has a guest network separate from your main network, make sure both devices are on the main network. Some routers let you connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under the same network name, and either band works for casting.
Does casting use a lot of internet bandwidth?
Casting travels over your local Wi-Fi network, not the internet, so it doesn't use your internet bandwidth. However, if you're casting video from a streaming service like YouTube or Netflix, that service still needs an internet connection to send the video to your Chromecast. The video data itself goes over Wi-Fi once it reaches your home network.
Can I use my computer while I'm casting my entire screen?
Yes, but everything you do on your computer appears on the TV. If you open private messages, passwords, or sensitive files, they'll be visible on the TV. For privacy, cast a single tab instead, or use a separate browser window for things you don't want to share.
What happens if I close my laptop while casting?
If you close your laptop lid, the cast usually stops because your computer goes to sleep. The TV screen goes blank. To keep casting while your laptop is closed, change your computer's power settings to prevent sleep when the lid closes, but this drains your battery quickly if you're using a laptop.
Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?
No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single computer or phone. If you want to cast to a different device, disconnect from the current one and start a new cast to the other device. Some apps let you cast to multiple devices if they support that feature, but standard Chrome casting is one-to-one.