Did you know that Google sold over 55 million Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices? It’s one of the most popular options for people who don’t have a Smart TV.
Owning this device can be a blessing since you can stream different shows with it. But if your Chromecast keeps disconnecting, it can become problematic. If it keeps happening, your indoor experience becomes unsatisfying.
Don’t give up yet. With Chromecast not working, we put together an article with tips on solving the most common issues for the device:
1. Give the Chromecast a Factory Reset
A guaranteed method of fixing most issues of a Chromecast is to use its factory reset function. Regardless of the model, every Chromecast comes with a factory reset button. It’s often near the power port, and the best part is that the process remains consistent across different models.
To do this, ensure that your Chromecast has power. After that, hold the factory reset button down for about 25 seconds. To know when to let go, look at the LED light on your Chromecast, which will start blinking orange while the reset process is in progress.
Once the light turns into solid white, you can let go of the button. Plug your Chromecast into your television to confirm the reset. If it’s successful, the setup screen will greet you once more.
After resetting the Chromecast, you need the Google Home app. That way, you can finish the setup steps and return your desired settings.
2. Power-Cycling Your Modem or Router
If the factory reset isn’t working and your Chromecast won’t stay connected to Wi-Fi, your Wi-Fi network might be the problem. The next step on your troubleshooting process is to power-cycling your modem and wireless router. Power-cycling the modem is a common fix for most connectivity issues, and it’s easy to do.
First, unplug your modem and wait for 30 seconds. This ensures that your connection undergoes its full reset process. Once done, plug it back in and wait for the entire power-up/reconnection to finish.
Set up and stream using your Chromecast as soon as the Wi-Fi returns. Check whether that fixed the issue. Otherwise, proceed with the other troubleshooting steps.
3. Ensure You’re Using the Right Power Supply
Most TVs come equipped with a USB port, and it’s often near the HDMI inputs on its backside. It might seem logical and time-saving to plug your Chromecast into that port. That way, you’ll use the television as its power supply.
This setup can work in most cases, but it depends on the brand and model of your TV. Sometimes, your Chromecast will turn off on its own since the television has no consistent power output. When you turn your television off, the Chromecast also shuts down.
With this setup, the Chromecast will constantly reboot whenever you turn on your TV. Sometimes, the process takes a few minutes to finish. That’s why Google recommends the original power supply that came with the original package.
If you still have this power supply, plug it into the nearest outlet or power bar. It can add to the cables you’ll manage behind your home’s entertainment center. But the trade-off is that your Chromecast will work and run properly.
4. Prioritize Your Chromecast by Using Your Router’s QoS Settings
If your Chromecast has an inconsistent streaming quality, it might mean other network-connected devices are sucking up the bandwidth. Routers treat data consistently, regardless of the activities by your home devices.
Whether you’re watching a YouTube video with your tablet, playing online games on PCs, or downloading files using torrents, the network gives the same priority. The good news is that most routers manufactured today have Quality of Service (QoS) settings. This enables you to adjust the priority of devices within your network.
Depending on the brand of your modem, the name might vary. Regardless, it will require you to go to your router’s default IP address to access your QoS settings. But if you want a more permanent solution, upgrade to Google Wi-Fi, a mesh system with features that aid in these situations.
5. Check Whether Your Network Operates at 2.4GHz
Another reason for your Chromecast not working is your router’s signal settings. Wi-Fi networks have two frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Chromecast will only function on the former.
Having to set a specific frequency can be annoying. The trade-off is that 2.4GHz is superior when used by a streaming gadget. The reason is because of its better ability to go through solid objects.
To set your frequency, go to your router settings and look at its current frequency. Pick the 2.4GHz option for your Chromecast. If you’re unsure how to do this, look at the bottom of the router to see the instructions.
Depending on your router’s capabilities, you can leave your other devices operating using the 5GHz network. To do this, look for the “Enable guest mode” option and check it during your Chromecast’s setup process.
This also applies to mobile phones. Not all of them access the Internet the same way. Check out our guide here to learn more, especially if you own a Google Pixel.
6. Update Your Modem’s Firmware
If your Chromecast isn’t connecting properly, it might be because of your modem’s outdated firmware. To check this, look at your modem’s settings menu and check whether you have a notification concerning a firmware update. Click it and start updating your firmware to its latest version.
This solution is still valuable even if it doesn’t fix your Chromecast problem. With the latest modem firmware updates, your network security will see improvements. That means external threats are less likely to compromise your network and devices.
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These are some solutions to your Chromecast problems. These are simple fixes since it needs no technical expertise to accomplish. You can do these regardless of the reason for your Chromecast not working.
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