Chromecast doesn't appear in Netflix because your phone, tablet, or computer isn't on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device

Netflix can only see your Chromecast if both devices are connected to the same network. This is the most common reason the cast button disappears or stays greyed out. Your phone might be on your main Wi-Fi while your Chromecast is on a guest network, or one device lost connection without you noticing.

The second most common cause is that Netflix on your device hasn't fully loaded, or the app needs an update. A restart of the Netflix app—or sometimes the device itself—clears this up quickly. Less often, your Chromecast needs a restart, or Netflix and your Chromecast are too far apart in software versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone or tablet and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for Netflix to show the cast button.
  • Restarting the Netflix app on your phone or tablet fixes the problem in most cases where the cast button is missing or greyed out.
  • Check that your Chromecast is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi by looking at the light on the device itself.
  • If your Chromecast is more than a year or two old and Netflix is very new, updating the Chromecast firmware may be necessary.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

Open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or tablet and look at which network you're connected to. Then check your Chromecast. On most Chromecast models, you can see the connected network in the Google Home app: open it, tap the Chromecast device, then tap the settings gear icon and look for "Wi-Fi" or "Network". The names must match exactly.

If they don't match, disconnect your phone from its current network and connect to the same one your Chromecast is on. If you have a guest network enabled on your router, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one—many routers don't allow guest devices to see each other.

If you're not sure which network your Chromecast is on, unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in. During startup, it will show a code on your TV. Open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the plus icon to add a device, and follow the setup steps. You'll be asked to choose a network—pick the same one your phone is using.

Restart the Netflix app and your device

Close Netflix completely. On most phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top on older Android phones) to see all open apps, find Netflix, and swipe it away. On a tablet or computer, close the app or browser tab entirely.

Wait 10 seconds, then open Netflix again. This forces the app to reload and rediscover devices on your network. The cast button should appear within a few seconds of the Netflix home screen loading.

If the cast button still doesn't show, restart your phone or tablet completely. Power it off, wait 10 seconds, and power it back on. Then open Netflix again. This clears temporary connection problems that a straightforward app restart won't fix.

Make sure your Chromecast is powered on and working

Look at the light on your Chromecast device itself. If it's plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi, you should see a steady white or blue light (the color depends on your model). If the light is off or red, the device isn't working properly.

Unplug your Chromecast from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait about 30 seconds for it to fully restart. The light should come on and stabilize. If it stays off or red, try a different power outlet or a different USB cable if your Chromecast uses one.

Once the light is steady, open the Google Home app and see if your Chromecast appears in the device list. If it doesn't, your Chromecast may need to be set up again from scratch using the Google Home app.

Update the Netflix app on your phone or tablet

Open your device's app store (Google Play Store on Android, App Store on iPhone or iPad). Search for Netflix, and if an "Update" button appears instead of "Open", tap it. Netflix updates sometimes include fixes for casting problems.

After the update finishes, close Netflix completely and open it again. The cast button should now appear when you're playing a show or movie.

If no update is available, make sure your phone or tablet itself is up to date. Go to Settings, look for "System" or "About Phone", and check for software updates. Older devices sometimes have trouble casting to newer Chromecast models.

Check the distance between your phone and Chromecast

Wi-Fi range can be surprisingly short, especially through walls. If your phone is in one room and your Chromecast is plugged into a TV in another room with thick walls or metal between them, the connection may drop. Move closer to the Chromecast and try opening Netflix again.

If the cast button appears when you're closer, your Wi-Fi signal is weak in that area. You can try moving your router to a more central location, or use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal near your TV.

Restart your router if nothing else works

Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait about two minutes for it to fully restart and reconnect all devices. This clears temporary network problems that affect casting.

Once the router is back up, make sure both your phone and Chromecast reconnect to Wi-Fi. You can check this in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone and in the Google Home app for your Chromecast. Then open Netflix and try casting again.

When to check if your Chromecast needs a software update

If you've tried everything above and the cast button still doesn't appear, your Chromecast may be running very old firmware. Open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast device, tap the settings gear, and look for "Device info" or "About". If there's an update available, it will show there.

Chromecast updates happen automatically when the device is idle and plugged in, but you can also force an update by tapping the update option if it appears. The update takes a few minutes. After it finishes, restart Netflix on your phone and try casting again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the cast button appear sometimes but not other times?

This usually means your phone is losing Wi-Fi connection intermittently, or Netflix is crashing in the background. Try restarting your phone completely, then open Netflix fresh. If it still comes and goes, move closer to your router to test whether weak signal is the cause.

Can I cast Netflix from my computer to Chromecast?

Yes, but the process is different. In Chrome browser, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast", and choose your Chromecast. Netflix will play in a window on your computer while the video streams to your TV. Make sure your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)?

Most Chromecast models work best on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your router broadcasts both bands, connect your Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz network and your phone to whichever band is faster. As long as they're on the same overall network name, they should see each other.

Does Netflix have to be updated to the latest version for casting to work?

Not always, but older versions sometimes have casting bugs. If you haven't updated Netflix in several months, check your app store for an update. After updating, close and reopen the app before trying to cast again.

What if I see the cast button but it won't actually connect?

Restart both your phone and your Chromecast. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stabilize. Then try casting again. If it still fails, restart your router as well—connection problems sometimes require all three devices to restart.