Can’t Cast to Chromecast or Google TV? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Your phone or computer and the streaming device on different Wi-Fi networks
• Local Network access turned off on an iPhone, iPad or Mac
• A VPN or proxy server on your computer
• Firewall or antivirus software blocking the connection
• AP isolation or other router settings, including on guest, hotel or public Wi-Fi
• A computer clock set to the wrong time zone

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the network and restart checks, which apply whatever you cast from, then work through the steps for your phone, Google TV, computer and router, checking for your device after each one.

1. 1

   Step 1: Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi network

   Your phone, tablet or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, Google TV Streamer or TV with Google Cast.

   Chrome can’t find Google streaming devices on different networks. Your phone or tablet also needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, Google TV Streamer (4K) or TV with Google Cast. You can usually check which Wi-Fi network your phone or tablet is on in its Settings app.

   To see the network your streaming device is on: on a Google TV Streamer, at the top right of your Google TV screen, click All settings, then Network & Internet. On a Chromecast with Google TV, at the top right of your TV screen, select your account icon, then All settings, then Network & Internet. Make sure the name matches the network on the device you want to cast from.

   If you have more than one network and aren’t sure which one your streaming device uses, connect your computer to each of the other available networks in turn, click the Cast button and look for your device in the list.

2. 2

   Step 2: Stop your Android phone from switching networks

   If you can’t find the Cast button in an app on Android, your phone might be hopping between networks.

   If your home has 2 or more isolated networks, your Android device might automatically switch between them depending on signal strength. To avoid this, go to the device’s Wi-Fi settings and forget the other network, so the phone stays on the same network as your Chromecast, Google TV Streamer or TV with Google Cast.

   You can also open your Android device’s Network & internet settings and turn off “Adaptive connectivity.” You can turn it back on after you start to cast.

3. 3

   Step 3: Restart the streaming device, computer and router

   A restart can clear temporary issues that stop your device from showing up.

   Unplug the power cable from your streaming device and wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. Wait a couple of minutes, then check whether your device now appears in the list of devices you can cast to. On a Google TV, you can also select Settings, then System, then Restart.

   If you cast from a laptop or desktop, reboot your computer too. Google suggests doing this before you go deeper into troubleshooting.

   Restart your modem or router as well. Check the manufacturer for instructions.

4. 4

   Step 4: Allow Local Network access on iPhone, iPad or Mac

   On iOS 14 or later and macOS 15 or later, apps and Chrome need Local Network permission to discover Cast devices.

   When a Cast-enabled app asks to connect to your local network, tap Ok. If you tap Don’t Allow, you won’t be able to cast. If you turned it down earlier, you can turn it on in your device’s settings.

   On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Local Network. Turn on Local Network for the apps you want to cast from.

   On a Mac with macOS 15 or later, open System Settings, select Privacy & Security, then Local Network, and turn on Local Network for Chrome or the other apps you want to allow. If Local Network is turned off, it’s likely to stop Chrome from communicating with your streaming device.

5. 5

   Step 5: Turn on casting and update your Google TV

   On a Google TV, the Google Cast system app needs to be enabled, and the TV should have the latest system update.

   From the Google TV home screen, select All settings, then Apps, then See all apps. Find the app Google Cast. If you can’t find it, select Show system apps or look in the “Disabled apps” section. To turn the app on, select Enable.

   To update your Google TV, from the home screen select All settings, then System, then About, then System update. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

   Good to know

   The casting steps may vary based on your device. For more information, contact your device manufacturer.

6. 6

   Step 6: Update the app or Chrome you’re casting from

   You can only cast with the latest version of a Cast-enabled app or the Chrome browser.

   On a phone or tablet, check for updates to the app you’re casting from in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The Cast button isn’t in the same place in every app.

   On a computer, casting is built into Chrome, so use Chrome’s own Cast menu. Update Chrome to the latest version, then at the top right select More, then Cast, save, and share, then Cast… and choose your device.

   If Chrome still can’t find it, try casting a video from a Google Cast-enabled app, such as YouTube or Netflix. If that works, there’s no issue with your streaming setup, and the problem is more likely your computer or Chrome.

   Good to know

   If the Cast button has gone from Chrome’s toolbar, it might be in the overflow area. Resetting Chrome’s settings also makes it disappear. To keep it on the toolbar, right-click the button and click Keep in Toolbar.

7. 7

   Step 7: Disconnect from a VPN or proxy server

   Google streaming devices can’t communicate with a laptop over a VPN or proxy server.

   Disconnect your computer from any virtual private network (VPN) or proxy server, then look for your device again. If you need help, check with your service provider for instructions.

8. 8

   Step 8: Check your firewall and antivirus software

   Some antivirus apps are known to cause Google streaming device discovery issues.

   Make sure any firewall or antivirus software on your computer is up to date and doesn’t block connections to the streaming device. Install any updates from the antivirus manufacturer.

   On a Mac, Chrome needs to be allowed to accept connections. If it isn’t, it won’t be able to communicate with your streaming device.

9. 9

   Step 9: Turn off AP isolation on your router

   Router or network settings can stop devices from communicating with your streaming device, even when Chrome can see it.

   Sometimes Chrome discovers a device on the network but can’t connect to it. These errors are usually caused by router or network settings.

   Make sure AP isolation, also known as client isolation, is turned off on your router, and that no router firewall features that might block incoming connections are turned on. Your router’s documentation explains how to turn off AP isolation. If you use a Wi-Fi extender, turn off AP or client isolation in the extender’s settings too.

   Good to know

   On a guest, hotel or public network with AP or client isolation, or if you can’t get into your router settings, you can’t cast to your device.

10. 10

    Step 10: Check your computer’s clock and time zone

    A clock that shows the right local time but a non-local time zone might be the cause.

    Check whether your computer’s clock is out of sync with the current internet time. If you set the time manually, make sure it’s correct, including the time zone.

    Google recommends turning on automatic time synchronization so your clock is always up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions