topic Re: Casting to Chromecast During Internet Outage in Streaming

Casting to Chromecast During Internet Outage

Jobu — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 03:34:11 GMT

Hi All,

We're in the middle of a prolonged internet outage and I thought I might be able to download some content to my phone over mobile data, disconnect mobile data and connect to my home's wifi network, and cast content to my Chromecast.

The thing is, neither the Google Home app, nor any app with built in cast (like Prime Video) can find any of the Chromecast devices on my home wifi network when I am connected to it (and mobile data is disabled).

I would assume this should work. I've found internet search results that agree. But I cannot figure out why I cannot do this.

I have tried power cycling everything. There's a solid white light on the Chromecast and I can see it's open Wifi SSID and connect to it. I cannot cast to it whether I'm on the home SSID or the Chromecast SSID. It's a 2nd Generation chromecast that I want to use, but I cannot see the Chromecast w/ Google TV or the Chromecast Audio either.

I've recently used it successfully when I had internet service.

Can anyone confirm this should work? If so, any suggestions to get it working?

Thanks for taking a look. I have a Pixel 7 Pro (Android 13) if this matters.

Re: Casting to Chromecast During Internet Outage

Jobu — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 23:55:06 GMT

Conversation with Google Support chat.

Google:

With regards to Chromecast devices, it will only work with the internet. Without any internet connection, the Chromecast won't work. If the home Wifi is not available, the workaround for this is to use a mobile hotspot from a different device.

Me:

So one mobile device act as hotspot, Chromecast and second mobile device connect? Then second mobile device can stream to Chromecast?

Google:

Yes, that is correct. This setup needs to have 2 phones. 1 that will act as a Wifi and the other one as a casting device. The reason why is because both Chromecast and the casting device must be connected to the same network when in use.

Me:

To be clear, I have WiFi. I don't have internet. Did you just mean Internet when you said "working without the Wifi"?

Google:

Yes. What I mean is the internet from your Wifi.

Me:

The chromecast and the casting device are both connected to the same network. My home wifi. So there's two conditions?

There must be internet access available to the Chromecast?
The casting device and the Chromecast must be on the same network?

Google:

Those 2 are correct. Even if the Chromecast and your phone are connected to the same Wifi which is your home Wifi but if it does not have any internet, it won't work. The first requirement for the Chromecast device to work is by having an internet connection.

Screen mirroring also needs the Chromecast to have internet access.

Chromecast SSID is just a workaround for the Chromecast to complete the set up.

Re: Casting to Chromecast During Internet Outage

JenniferV — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:33:50 GMT

Hello Jobu,

Thanks for updating this Community thread and glad to hear that our support team was able to help you. Let us know if you still have questions and concerns otherwise, I'll be locking this thread after 24 hours.

Best,

Jennifer