Search guides

Fix a TV that has Chromecast that will not work

We'll check input, power, Wi-Fi, and casting app—or factory reset when needed.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Phone or tablet with the casting app and Google Home app
  • TV remote
Step 1 of 7

Quick triage — pick your path

Get started

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check input and power, then rule out Wi-Fi and casting app issues.

  • Confirm Chromecast does not show a picture, does not respond to cast, or shows an error.
  • Good: You have confirmed the symptom. Proceed to Check input and power.
  • Bad: Chromecast works sometimes—may be Wi-Fi or app.

Check input and power

Goal: Confirm the correct input is selected and Chromecast has power.

  • Use the TV remote to select the HDMI input for the Chromecast dongle, or the Chromecast input for built-in.
  • For dongles: confirm the USB cable is connected. Use a wall adapter if the TV USB port does not power the Chromecast when the TV is off.
  • Good: Correct input selected and Chromecast has power. The home screen appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no picture—proceed to Check Wi-Fi and casting app.

Check Wi-Fi and casting app

Goal: Rule out different Wi-Fi networks and casting app issues.

  • Confirm the phone, tablet, or computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Guest networks can separate them.
  • Force-close the casting app and reopen it. Try casting again.
  • Good: Same network and app restarted. Casting works. Done.
  • Bad: Still does not work—proceed to Power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset Chromecast and TV.

  • Unplug the Chromecast from power (or unplug the TV if built-in). Unplug the TV. Wait 30 seconds. Plug back in.
  • Good: Power-cycle fixes it. Chromecast responds. Done.
  • Bad: Still does not work—re-add Chromecast in Google Home or factory reset.

When to get help

Replace the Chromecast if:

  • Factory reset and all checks do not fix it. The device may be faulty.

Call a pro if:

  • The TV has no picture on any input—the TV may need repair.

Verification

  • The Chromecast home screen appears on the correct input.
  • Casting from the app works.
  • The Chromecast appears online in the Google Home app.
  • The casting device and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Input and power Select correct input; confirm Chromecast has power.
  2. Wi-Fi Confirm casting device and Chromecast on same network.
  3. Restart Restart casting app; power-cycle Chromecast and TV.
  4. Re-add or factory reset Re-add Chromecast in Google Home or factory reset.
  5. Call a pro or replace TV has no picture on any input—call a technician. Chromecast faulty—replace dongle or use different device.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Chromecast type (dongle or built-in)
  • TV model
  • Whether Chromecast appears in Google Home
  • Steps already tried

Is the correct input selected?

Wrong input shows no picture.

Use the TV remote. Select the HDMI input for the Chromecast dongle, or Chromecast input for built-in. Correct input: check power. Wrong input: select correct one, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Select correct input

Select the input where Chromecast is connected. Confirm Chromecast has power. If home screen appears, done. If not, check power and Wi-Fi.

Done

Does Chromecast have power?

Dongles need USB power; built-in needs TV on.

Check USB cable (dongle) or TV power (built-in). Powered: check Wi-Fi. No power: connect power, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Connect power and test

Connect USB cable or use wall adapter. Confirm Chromecast boots. If it works, done. If not, check Wi-Fi and restart casting app.

Done

Are casting device and Chromecast on same Wi-Fi?

Different networks prevent casting.

Check Wi-Fi on phone/tablet and Chromecast. Both must use same network. Same network: restart app and power-cycle. Different: connect to same network, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Connect to same Wi-Fi and test

Connect casting device to same Wi-Fi as Chromecast. Restart casting app. If it works, done. If not, power-cycle Chromecast and TV.

Done

Restart app and power-cycle

Force-close casting app, reopen. Power-cycle Chromecast and TV. If it works, done. If not, re-add Chromecast in Google Home or factory reset. Still no: replace Chromecast.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would Chromecast stop working?
Wrong input selected, power loss, different Wi-Fi networks between casting device and Chromecast, app or Chromecast needs restart, or a firmware glitch. Less often: faulty HDMI cable or port.
Can I fix Chromecast that will not work myself?
Yes. Check input, power, and Wi-Fi. Restart the casting app and Chromecast. Power-cycle the TV. Factory reset from the Google Home app if needed.
When should I replace Chromecast?
If factory reset and all checks do not fix it, the device may be faulty. Replace the dongle or use a different streaming device.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to