Chromecast Not Working: 8 Simple Fixes

Article Summary

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Chromecast is one of the most easy-to-use streaming devices for your TV, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience issues from time to time. This troubleshooting guide will walk you through a few different steps to help get your Chromecast back up and running again.

1. Try restarting your Google Chromecast
2. Make sure your WiFi is connected properly
3. Try using the Chromecast Extender
4. Move your router or gateway to a different location
5. Try resetting your router or gateway
6. Try a factory reset on your Chromecast
7. If using a VPN on your phone, make sure it isn’t causing connection issues
8. Adjust the frequency channels on your router or gateway

Try Restarting Your Google Chromecast

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If your Chromecast is either unresponsive or giving you issues, the best course of action is doing a soft reset. Fortunately, this is a pretty simple task, as all you need to do is unplug your Chromecast and leave it unplugged for at least a few minutes.

Once you’ve allowed some time to pass, go ahead and reconnect Chromecast and allow it to boot up. A soft reset will oftentimes resolve basic connection issues, but if you’re still experiencing issues the problem may require a bit more legwork to resolve.

Make Sure Your WiFi is Connected Properly 

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Another possible reason for your Chromecast connection issues may stem from your WiFi connection, or lack thereof. It’s not uncommon for device connections to drop out or “freeze”  from time to time, and the issue can either be with the device itself—Chromecast, in this case—or your router/gateway.

If you’ve already tried the first step in this guide by restarting your Chromecast, the issue likely lies with your router or gateway. A quick power cycle of your router/gateway should do the trick, which can often be accomplished by simply unplugging any cables and waiting a minute or so. Once your WiFi network is back up and running, check your connection again to see if your Chromecast is connected. If that doesn’t work, there are a few more steps to try and get your Chromecast working properly.

Try Using the Chromecast Extender

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An often overlooked step when Chromecast troubleshooting relates to the extender cable that comes with your Chromecast. The extender cable is a simple extension, one that attaches to the USB side of your Chromecast to create a bit of space between the device itself and your television.

Given the fact that WiFi signals can be interrupted by a number of different things—walls, inanimate objects, other device signals—having your Chromecast further away from your TV set decreases the likelihood that you will experience any type of interference. That said, this will largely depend on the type of TV that you have and the manner in which it was constructed—as certain materials are more likely to cause issues than others. If this fixes your Chromecast connection, the issue was likely interference after all—but if you are still having troubles you can move on to the next step to continue troubleshooting below.

Note: The extender may help with connection stability overall, so even in the event your connection is working, it may not be a bad idea to connect it anyway.

Move Your Router or Gateway to a Different Location

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The location of your router or gateway may cause your Chromecast to lose connection due to bring out of range. Your safest bet when setting up a router in your home is to keep it as central as possible—the further away your Chromecast is from the router/gateway, the higher the likelihood of it being unable to pick up a signal and connect.

Note: Be sure to check to make sure your WiFi network has a 2.4Ghz signal available, as a 5Ghz signal has a tougher time traveling long distances—resulting in a weaker connection on average.

Try Resetting Your Gateway or Router

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Like the Chromecast, sometimes routers, modems, or gateways need to be restarted or power cycled to fix connection issues. If you notice any issues with other devices connected on your network—aside from your Chromecast device, of course— the problem may be due to an issue with your router/modem.

How to Reset Your Gateway or Standalone Modem

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1. Unplug (and remove the batteries if there are any) from your gateway or modem
2. Let 30 seconds or so go by, then reinsert the batteries and reconnect the power supply
3. Wait about 2 minutes and check your gateway/modem connection for a solid light (should not be flashing)
4. See if your internet connection is connected to your Chromecast  

How to Reset Your Modem of WiFi Router

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1. Unplug and remove the batteries from your modem
2. Unplug your WiFi router from its power supply
3. After about 30 seconds, put the batteries back in and reconnect the power supply
4. After waiting a few minutes, check your modem connection for a solid light (should not be flashing)
5. Reconnect the power your router, and give it at least 2 minutes to complete its power cycle
6. Check your Chromecast device for an internet connection

Try a Factory Reset on Your Chromecast

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If all else fails, there is always the option of a hard reset—also known as a factory reset—for your Chromecast. There are two different ways to factory reset your Chromecast, and both methods ultimately yield the same result. You will, however, need to setup your Chromecast again once the reset is complete, regardless of the method you use.

Reset via the Google Home app

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Depending on which Chromecast model you have, the way you access and perform a factory reset from the Google Home app varies a bit.Newer Chromecast Models:

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1. Open your Google Home App on your phone
2. Press the vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner of the app to access the drop-down selections
3. Select factory reset and confirm your choice to reset the device

Older Chromecast Models

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1. Open your Chromecast App on your computer
2. Navigate to the Chromecast settings and select “factory reset”
3. Confirm your selection once prompted

Reset Via Chromecast Physical Button

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To spare yourself the hassle of navigating through apps, the Chromecast itself has a button on the side portion of the device. In order to perform a factory reset, hold down the button for around 25 seconds. Once the Chromecast’s light begins blinking, go ahead and let go of the button and proceed with the initial setup process.

If Using a VPN on Your Phone, Make Sure it Isn’t Causing Connection Issues

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For one reason or another, VPNs have been known to create issues when trying to connect to Chromecast devices. While there may be work arounds available for those of us that are tech-savvy, the fastest way to fix the problem is by turning off your VPN when using your Chromecast. This may not be a favorable choice for many of us who are concerned about security, so in the event that this is a dealbreaker, other streaming devices may be worth considering.

Adjust the Frequency Channels on Your Router or Gateway

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We mentioned interference earlier in the article in reference to the extender cable—another way to mitigate interference issues is by changing the channel frequencies on your router.

By default, most routers have a set channel, and most of us never get around to changing it. That said, most residential, or even commercial areas, can have multiple WiFi networks—all in close proximity to one another. Because of this, multiple routers can be operating on the same channel frequency, and may interrupt one another intermittently. If your Chromecast can’t maintain a steady signal, consider changing your router/gateway’s channel from its default, and see if that helps rectify the issue.