Start with the simplest fixes first

Most Chromecast problems come from three things: the device lost power or connection, your phone or computer is not on the same Wi-Fi network, or the app you are trying to cast from is not compatible. Before you troubleshoot anything else, unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Then check that your phone or computer is connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network — not a guest network or a different band of the same router.

If your Chromecast still will not appear in the cast menu, restart the device you are casting from. Close the app completely, turn off your phone or computer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent the device from seeing your Chromecast on the network.

Key Takeaways

  • Unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds and plug it back in, then confirm your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast.
  • Restart the app you are casting from and restart your phone or computer if the Chromecast does not appear in the cast menu.
  • Check the Chromecast's light indicator — a solid white light means it is ready, a blinking white light means it is still starting up, and a red light means it has lost power or connection.
  • If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, connect your phone and Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz band, since Chromecast performs better on that frequency.
  • Forget the Wi-Fi network on your Chromecast and reconnect it using the Google Home app if the device connects but casting still fails.

What the Chromecast light tells you

The light on your Chromecast is a status indicator that shows what the device is doing. A solid white light means the Chromecast is powered on and ready to receive a cast. A blinking white light means the device is starting up — wait another 30 to 60 seconds before trying to cast. A red light means the Chromecast has lost power or is not connected to Wi-Fi.

If the light is off entirely, the device is not receiving power. Check that the USB cable is plugged into a working outlet or USB port. Some USB ports on older televisions do not provide enough power — if you are plugging the Chromecast into your TV's USB port, try plugging it into a wall outlet instead using the power adapter that came in the box.

Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same network

Chromecast will not appear in the cast menu if your phone is on a different Wi-Fi network than the device. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and look at which network you are connected to. Then go to the Google Home app, tap the Chromecast device, tap the settings icon, and look at the network name under "Wi-Fi." If they do not match, disconnect from your current network and connect to the same one the Chromecast is using.

If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names, connect both your phone and Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz network. Chromecast works more reliably on 2.4 GHz, even though 5 GHz is faster. If your router uses one name for both bands, you cannot control which one your devices use, and this is usually not the problem.

Guest networks are another common cause. If you are on a guest network and your Chromecast is on the main network, they cannot see each other. Switch to the main network, or set up the Chromecast on the guest network if that is where you spend most of your time.

Forget and reconnect the Wi-Fi network

If your Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi but casting fails or keeps dropping, the device may have stored bad connection settings. Open the Google Home app, tap the Chromecast device, tap the settings icon, and select "Wi-Fi." Tap "Forget this network," then tap "Add network" and enter your Wi-Fi password again. Wait for the Chromecast to reconnect — this usually takes one to two minutes.

While the Chromecast is reconnecting, do not move it or unplug it. If it fails to reconnect after three attempts, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for all lights to stabilize before trying again.

Check that your app supports casting

Not every app can cast to Chromecast. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and Google Photos all support casting, but many smaller apps do not. If you do not see a cast icon in the app you are using, that app does not have casting built in. You can still mirror your entire phone screen to the Chromecast instead — open the Google Home app, tap the Chromecast device, tap the settings icon, and select "Cast screen." This is slower than casting from an app, but it works with anything on your screen.

If the cast icon appears but tapping it does not work, close the app completely and reopen it. Some apps require a restart to detect the Chromecast on the network.

Restart your router if nothing else works

If your Chromecast is powered on, shows a solid white light, is on the same network as your phone, and the app supports casting but casting still fails, the problem is usually with your router. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for all lights to stop blinking and stabilize — this usually takes two to three minutes. Then try casting again.

If restarting the router does not work, check whether your router firmware is up to date. Log into your router's settings page using a web browser — the address is usually printed on the back of the router — and look for a firmware update option. If an update is available, install it and restart the router.

Factory reset your Chromecast as a last step

If you have tried all the steps above and Chromecast still will not work, perform a factory reset. Unplug the Chromecast, hold down the reset button on the back of the device with a paperclip or pen, plug it back in while still holding the button, and keep holding for about 15 seconds until the light turns red. Release the button and wait for the light to turn white again. The Chromecast is now reset to factory settings.

After a factory reset, you will need to set up the Chromecast again using the Google Home app. Open the app, tap the plus icon, select "Set up device," choose "Set up a new device," and follow the on-screen steps to connect it to your Wi-Fi and name it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting?

Chromecast disconnects when the Wi-Fi signal is weak or when the device overheats. Move the Chromecast closer to your router, or if it is plugged into the back of your TV, move it to the side where it gets better airflow. If disconnections happen at the same time every day, your router may be overloaded — restart it and check whether too many devices are connected.

Can I cast from my computer to Chromecast?

Yes. On Windows or Mac, open Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, select "Cast," choose your Chromecast, and then click "Cast" again. You can cast a single tab or your entire screen. Your computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast.

Why does the cast menu not show my Chromecast?

The device is either not powered on, not on the same Wi-Fi network, or the app does not support casting. Check the light on the Chromecast — if it is off, plug it in. If it is on, open the Google Home app and confirm the network name matches your phone's network. If both are correct, try a different app that you know supports casting, like YouTube.

Does Chromecast work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Chromecast can connect to 5 GHz networks, but it performs better on 2.4 GHz. If your router has separate network names for each band, connect your Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz network. If your router uses one name for both bands, you cannot control which one Chromecast uses.

What should I do if my Chromecast is stuck on the setup screen?

Unplug the Chromecast for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If it is still stuck, perform a factory reset by holding the reset button while plugging it in, then set it up again using the Google Home app.