Best Ways To Fix Chromecast Not Working

Google Chromecast is a reliable and economical way to stream media right on your TV screen. With it, you can mirror content to large-screen devices. Like any piece of technology, even Chromecast can have its share of hiccups.

Suppose, you try to replicate your Windows screen onto your Smart TV so that you can binge-watch your favorite Netflix series. But, your setup bears no fruit and all you can see is a blank TV screen. You are left wondering as to what went wrong.

Before we jump onto the ways to fix Chromecast not working, ensure that you have set up Chromecast on your device – TV, Android, iOS, or Mac correctly.

Why Is Chromecast Not Working?

There could be various reasons why your Chromecast is not functioning as it should. Some of the reasons are mentioned below –

• Weak network connection.
• Your device and Chromecast are using different networks.
• You are using an incompatible app. Here are some apps you can use for Chromecast.
• Outdated Chrome browser.
• Damaged Chromecast cable.

How To Fix Chromecast Not Working

Solution No. 1 – Check Wi-Fi Connection

If your Chromecast isn’t working during the setup process, the first thing you can check is if your Wi-Fi is functioning properly or not. To do that –

Step 1 – Unplug and re-plug your router. Once your router boots up, reset it.

Step 2 – Change the Wi-Fi frequency from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.

Solution No. 2 – Enable Network Discovery

The Chromecast device won’t function in case you have disabled the Network Discovery feature on your PC. To enable this feature on Windows 11, follow the steps mentioned below –

Step 1 – Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.

Step 2 – Click on Network & Internet from the left-hand pane.

Step 3 – From the right, click on Advanced network settings.

Step 4 – Under More settings, click on Advanced sharing settings and toggle on the Network discovery switch.

Not a Windows 11 user, here are 8 ways in which you can enable the Network Discovery features on Windows 10.

Solution No. 3 – Update Chrome

Next, even after an active and stable Wi-Fi connection, if your Chromecast isn’t working, check if there is a pending update in your Chrome browser. To do that, follow the steps mentioned below –

Step 1 – Open Chrome browser. Click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2 – Click on Help > About Google Chrome

Step 3 – Google Chrome will itself search for an update.

Once the update is completed, you can view a message Chrome is up to date with a version number.

Solution No. 4 – Check or Change the Power Supply

Up until this point, if Chromecast isn’t working, the power supply is most likely to blame. You can check Chromecast’s own cable and supporting adapters, if they are damaged or not.

Solution No. 5 – Check If Devices Are Connected To The Same Network

One of the reasons why your Chromecast might not be working could be because your Chromecast and the other device are connected to different networks. To check that you can go to the device and check which network it is connected to –

On Android –

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi

On Windows –

Click on the Wi-Fi icon and check the network you are connected to.

On Mac –

Click on Apple menu > System Settings > Network

If you are connected to a different network, then click on the Forget button and connect to the network to which your Chromecast is connected.

Solution No. 6 – Ensure That The Power Is Sufficient

If your Google Chromecast is not working, you might want to rule out any hardware-related issues. That might further indicate that neither device – The Chromecast and the device it is connected to are receiving power properly. Check for any physical damage and if so, rectify the problem.

Solution No. 7 – Restart Chromecast Devices

You can simply restart Chromecast devices and resolve any hurdles that are coming in the way of starting Chromecast. To do that, first unplug the power cable from Chromecast. Wait for some time and then re-plug in the cable back to the power source.

Solution No. 8 – Disable Bonjour Service

The Bonjour Service installed by iTunes on Windows is known to interfere with the functioning of Chromecast devices. You can try disabling it and then check if your Chromecast is working properly or not. To that –

Step 1 – Press Windows + R and open the Run dialog box.

Step 2 – Type services.msc and press Enter.

Step 3 – When the Services window opens, scroll down, locate, and double-click on Bonjour Service.

 Step 4 – Click on the Startup Type dropdown and change it to disabled.

Revive Your Chromecast: Simple Fixes Unveiled!

To conclude if your Chromecast isn’t working and you are missing out on an enjoyable experience you can try out the fixes mentioned in this post. You can check for weak internet connection, check for damaged Chromecast cable, and see if you are using an app that is compatible with Chromecast. For more such content keep reading WeTheGeek articles. Follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.