Getting Chromecast connected to your TV and network

Chromecast works by plugging a small device into your TV's HDMI port, then connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network. Once it's on the same network as your phone, tablet, or computer, you can send video, music, photos, and audio to your TV from those devices. The TV itself doesn't need to be a smart TV — any TV with an HDMI port will work.

Start by plugging the Chromecast device into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. If your TV has limited HDMI ports, an HDMI splitter or extension cable can help. The device also needs power, so plug the USB cable into a power adapter and connect it to an outlet. Some newer Chromecast models draw power directly from the HDMI port, so check your model's instructions.

Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in Chromecast. You should see a setup screen appear. On your phone or tablet, read the Google Home app (available on both Android and iOS). Open the app, tap the plus icon to add a device, and select "Set up device." The app will find your Chromecast and walk you through connecting it to your Wi-Fi network. You'll need to enter your Wi-Fi password during this step.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast plugs into any TV's HDMI port and needs a power source, then connects to your home Wi-Fi through the Google Home app.
  • Once set up, you can cast video from apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ by tapping the cast icon within the app itself.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as Chromecast to send content to your TV.
  • You can cast your entire phone or computer screen to the TV, not just video from specific apps.
  • If Chromecast stops responding, unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in usually fixes the problem.

Casting video from apps to your TV

Most streaming apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, and others — have a built-in cast button. Open the app on your phone or tablet, start playing the video or music you want, and look for a small rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner (the cast icon). Tap it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

While content is casting, your phone or tablet becomes a remote. You can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust volume from your device. You can also lock your phone and the casting will continue — the content plays on your TV independently once it starts. If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting."

Not all apps support casting. If you don't see a cast icon in an app you use, that app hasn't built in Chromecast support. In that case, you can cast your entire phone screen instead (see the next section), though the experience may not be as smooth as casting from an app that supports it natively.

Casting your phone or computer screen

If an app doesn't have a cast button, or if you want to show something on your phone that isn't in an app, you can cast your entire screen. On Android, swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full quick settings menu, then tap "Cast" or "Screen cast." Select your Chromecast device and your phone screen will appear on the TV.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Control Center (swipe down from the top right), tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your Chromecast device. Your iOS screen will mirror to the TV. Keep in mind that screen casting uses more data and battery than casting from an app, and there may be a slight delay between what you do on your phone and what appears on the TV.

On a computer, open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Cast," then choose your Chromecast device. You can cast just the current tab or your entire screen. Tab casting is faster and uses less bandwidth than full-screen casting, so use that option when you only need to show one window.

Troubleshooting when Chromecast won't connect or respond

If your Chromecast isn't showing up in the Google Home app during setup, make sure your phone and the Chromecast device are both trying to connect to the same Wi-Fi network. Some home networks have a separate 5 GHz band and a 2.4 GHz band — Chromecast typically works better on 2.4 GHz, so check your router settings if you have that option.

If Chromecast was working but suddenly stops responding, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This resets the device and usually fixes connection problems. While it's restarting, you'll see a loading animation on your TV screen. Wait until that finishes before trying to cast again.

If casting starts but then stops or freezes, the issue is usually your Wi-Fi signal. Move your router closer to the TV, or reduce the number of devices using your network. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If problems continue, check the Google Home app to see if a software update is available for your Chromecast — tap the device, then the settings icon, and look for "Device information."

Using Chromecast with multiple devices and accounts

Multiple people in your household can cast to the same Chromecast device, even if they have different Google accounts. Each person just needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network. When someone starts casting, their content takes over the TV until they stop.

If you want to set up Chromecast under a specific Google account (for example, to link it to a family account or to organize it in the Google Home app), the person who sets it up in the Google Home app becomes the owner. Other household members can still cast to it without being the owner, but only the owner can change settings like the device name or Wi-Fi network.

If you're moving to a new home or changing your Wi-Fi network, you'll need to reconnect Chromecast to the new network. Open the Google Home app, tap the Chromecast device, tap the settings icon, and select "Wi-Fi." Follow the prompts to enter your new network password.

What to do if you need to reset Chromecast

If Chromecast is having persistent problems that a straightforward restart doesn't fix, you can reset it to factory settings. This erases all settings and returns it to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. To reset, hold down the button on the back of the Chromecast device for about 15 seconds while it's plugged in. The light will flash orange, then white — when it turns white, the reset is complete.

After a factory reset, you'll need to set up Chromecast again using the Google Home app, just as you did the first time. This process takes about five minutes. A factory reset is useful if you're giving the device to someone else, selling it, or if it's having problems that a restart didn't solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a smart TV to use Chromecast?

No. Chromecast works with any TV that has an HDMI port, including older non-smart TVs. The Chromecast device itself provides the smarts — your TV just needs to display the picture.

Can I cast from my computer to the TV?

Yes. Open Chrome on your computer, click the three dots in the top right, select "Cast," and choose your Chromecast device. You can cast a single tab or your entire screen. Other browsers like Firefox and Edge also support casting in some cases.

What happens if someone else on my Wi-Fi network starts casting?

Their content will take over the TV and replace whatever was playing before. Only one person can cast at a time. If you want to cast again, you'll need to wait for them to stop or ask them to stop casting first.

Does Chromecast work without an internet connection?

Chromecast needs Wi-Fi to work, but it doesn't need to be connected to the internet itself. You can cast from devices on a local Wi-Fi network even if that network isn't connected to the internet. However, streaming apps like Netflix do need internet to work.

Why is there a delay between my phone and the TV when I screen cast?

Screen casting sends a continuous video stream of your entire phone display, which uses more data and processing power than casting from an app. A slight delay of one to two seconds is normal. If the delay is longer, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak — try moving closer to your router.