topic Re: Chromecast can't be activated in Streaming

Chromecast can't be activated

molkom — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 18:12:33 GMT

Following the steps below doesn't work.

Activate your device for setup

Download the Device Utility app from the Google Play Store.
Open the Device Utility app.
Follow the in-app steps to activate your device. This should only take a couple of minutes. --> issue, device is found, but when clicking activate it says it cannot activate the device. Get a "Could not connect to your Chromecast. Make sure it's nearby yada yada." Funny thing it found it at first then! This just loops around = try again, same fault. Finding it, pressing activate, getting the message it can't connect."
Once your device is activated, you’ll be taken to the Google Home app to finish setup.

I can't find a solution. Doesn't matter if I plug in power through USB or power outlet.

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

c4rtm4n — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 03:49:43 GMT

I'm getting the same error. I've got no idea what to do. Have you found a fix yet? Can anyone help?

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

c4rtm4n — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 04:42:52 GMT

I was getting this error on my pixel5. I used my other android tablet and it worked as expected. I think it could be a pixel issue.

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:24:27 GMT

Hey there molkom,

Just to double-check, were you attempting to set up the Chromecast using a Pixel 5 phone as well? We have been receiving reports where the set-up process was having issues with Pixel 5 phones in particular. As c4rtm4n showed, the best workaround at the moment is to set up the Chromecast using another Android or iOS device.

I'm really sorry for any inconvenience this causes you, I know it can be annoying when the only device you have is the one with the problem! If you had any more questions or concerns, I'd be happy to address them.

Best regards,

Jeran

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Panda5 — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 15:38:58 GMT

I'm in the same boat, but.... what if I don't have any alternative mobile device??? Is there a web browser or desktop OS app alternative path on this?

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:19:57 GMT

Hey there Panda5,

I'm sorry to say, but until there is a fix rolled out for this issue, that is the only workaround we have at the moment. There currently isn't an official way to use a desktop to set up the Chromecast device. I am really sorry for the inconvenience, if you had any more questions, I'd be happy to address them.

Best regards,

Jeran

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Panda5 — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 23:11:26 GMT

We're a 2 Pixel mobile phone house, soooo.... is there at least an ETA on the fix? I can't imagine Google is thrilled to be telling customers to use a competitor's device to resolve a bug in the compatibility of their own devices?

Feeling pretty screwed on this one, so hoping this is a bug they're escalating for rapid resolution...

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

AKBrett — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:10:59 GMT

Pixel 5a owner here, just tried to set up Chromecast and to my dismay, my phone also can't do it. Same boat as you - only pixels in this household. Imagine if Apple had to tell customers to use a non-apple device to set up their smart home tech...

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

molkom — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 13:36:21 GMT

Hi @Jeran !

Late reply, but yes, I am also on a Pixel 5!

In the end I succeded by setting up through connecting to a temp wifi somehow, so didn't use the procedure suggested by the help pages that I listed in my post. Here's what I think I did:

Connected to Chromecast’s own wifi (SSID):

Opened Settings on phone, chose the "Chromecast SSID/Wifi"
Connected to the Chromecast SSID.
Managed to setup (can't remember but think through Home app)!

I suggest updating the Chromecast "how to cast" guides to reflect that there is a different way of setting it up, or maybe if it's already there for Gen2 I didn't find it (could happen :))

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:46:31 GMT

Hey there molkom,

That's awesome that you found a workaround! I really appreciate you telling us how you did it. Hopefully this workaround helps other users who are also experiencing this same issue while Google works on a fix.

Thank you again for your help!

Best regards,

Jean

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 18:09:23 GMT

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

M_J — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 22:21:14 GMT

Is there still no fix for this problem?

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

molkom — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 12:02:11 GMT

Not me @Jeran , thank you.

To those only being with Pixel devices, see if your Chromecast allows direct connection to its own wifi network/SSID and set up that way.

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

M_J — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 15:41:08 GMT

I am able to connect directly to the Chromecast, but I could not figure out how to activate it from there. I tried to go through the Home App as mentioned above, but that did not work. It should not be so difficult to activate a device. Why can't they make it to if you are logged into your google account, then go to a website and enter the code?

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Etobar46 — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 10:25:34 GMT

Hello Dear Frrien

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Etobar46 — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 10:33:46 GMT

My Chromecast Was Working Perfect And Then Suddenly It Got Disconnected And I Couldn't Connected Back

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:52:16 GMT

Hey there M_J,

Were you still running into issues activating that Chromecast from the Device Utility app? If so, there are a couple of workarounds users have found on this thread. Go ahead and try the steps presented by user gpries under the accepted solution and see if that helps.

Best regards,

Jeran

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:54:31 GMT

Hey there Etoar46,

Are you also using a Pixel 5 phone and trying to activate your Chromecast using the Device Utility app? Go ahead and try the work-around that molkom provided, as well as another work-around that gpries posted in this thread.

Let me know if those steps work for you!

Best regards,

Jeran

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

M_J — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 20:33:03 GMT

I was able to find a different phone to use. Thanks

Re: Chromecast can't be activated

Jeran — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 21:53:01 GMT

Hey there!

We haven't heard back from molkom, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Have a good weekend!

Best regards,
Jeran