Turn on your Chromecast by plugging it in

Chromecast has no power button. It turns on automatically the moment you plug it into power. Plug the USB cable into the back or side of your TV (or into a USB power adapter if your TV has no USB port), and the device will start up. You should see a white light on the Chromecast itself within a few seconds.

The first time you plug it in, the light will blink while the device boots. This takes about 30 seconds. Once the light stops blinking and stays steady, the Chromecast is ready for the next step.

If you do not see any light at all, check that the cable is fully inserted into both the Chromecast and the power source. Try a different USB cable if you have one — some cables carry power poorly even though they look fine.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast powers on automatically when you plug in the USB cable; there is no on/off switch.
  • The device will show a white light when it is powered and ready, which takes about 30 seconds after you first plug it in.
  • You must connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network before you can cast anything to it.
  • Use the Google Home app on your phone to complete the setup and name your Chromecast.

Connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network

Once the light is steady, your Chromecast is broadcasting its own temporary Wi-Fi network. On your phone or tablet, open your device's Wi-Fi settings and look for a network name that starts with "Chromecast" or "ChromecastSetup" followed by numbers. Connect to that network.

After you connect, a setup screen should appear automatically on your phone. If it does not, open a web browser and go to g.co/chromecast. This will take you to the setup page where you can choose your home Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Select your home Wi-Fi from the list, enter the password, and wait for the Chromecast to connect. This usually takes 20 to 30 seconds. Once it connects, your phone will switch back to your home Wi-Fi automatically.

Use the Google Home app to finish setup

read the Google Home app on your phone if you do not already have it. Open the app and tap the plus icon (usually in the top left corner) to add a new device. The app will search for your Chromecast on the network.

When the app finds your Chromecast, it will ask you to confirm that you see a code on your TV screen. Look at your TV — a four-digit code should be displayed. Enter that code into the app on your phone. This confirms that you own the device.

Next, the app will ask you to name your Chromecast (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV") and choose which room it is in. Give it a name you will recognize, then finish the setup. The app may also ask to update the Chromecast software — let it do this, as updates fix bugs and add features.

What to do if your Chromecast will not turn on

If the light does not appear after 60 seconds, the power cable may be faulty. Try plugging the Chromecast into a different USB port on your TV, or use a USB power adapter plugged into a wall outlet instead. Some TV USB ports do not provide enough power.

If you are using an older USB cable, try a newer one. Cables wear out and may stop carrying power reliably even though they still work for data. A standard USB-A to micro-USB cable from any electronics store will work.

If the Chromecast still does not light up, the device itself may be defective. Contact the retailer where you bought it to discuss a replacement.

Cast content once setup is complete

Once your Chromecast is connected and named, you can cast from apps on your phone. Open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and many others have a cast button. The button usually looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner.

Tap the cast button and select your Chromecast by name from the list. The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone becomes a remote — you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from the app while the content plays on the TV.

You can also cast your entire phone screen or computer screen to the TV. In the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast, then tap "Cast screen" or "Cast my screen" to mirror everything on your device to the TV.

Troubleshoot connection problems

If your Chromecast is on but will not connect to Wi-Fi, restart it by unplugging the power cable for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the light to steady again, then try connecting to Wi-Fi a second time.

If the Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi but casting does not work, make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. If your home Wi-Fi has a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band, connect your phone to the same band the Chromecast is using. You can check this in the Google Home app — tap your Chromecast and look at the network details.

If you still cannot cast, restart your phone and your Wi-Fi router. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, wait for it to fully restart (usually 2 to 3 minutes), then try casting again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off my Chromecast without unplugging it?

No. Chromecast has no power button or sleep mode. If you want to turn it off, you must unplug the cable. When you unplug it, it stops casting when ready and the light goes out. Plug it back in to turn it on again.

Does Chromecast need to be plugged in all the time?

Only if you want to use it. If you do not plan to cast for a while, unplugging it saves a small amount of power. Chromecast uses very little electricity — about the same as a small LED light bulb — so leaving it plugged in costs very little.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

This usually happens if your Wi-Fi signal is weak near the TV. Move your router closer to the Chromecast, or use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal. You can also restart your router and Chromecast together: unplug both, wait 30 seconds, plug the router back in first, wait for it to fully restart, then plug in the Chromecast.

Can I use Chromecast without the Google Home app?

You need the app to set up Chromecast the first time. After setup is complete, you can cast from individual apps (YouTube, Netflix, etc.) without opening Google Home. The Google Home app is only needed if you want to change settings, rename the device, or cast your screen.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

You will need to reset your Chromecast and set it up again. Unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in while holding down the reset button (a small hole on the back or side) for about 15 seconds until the light blinks orange. Then follow the setup steps again with the correct password.