Chromcast Shutting Off While Inactive

[MintChoco484]

I leave my TV on so my dog has background noise when I leave the house. Recently when I come home, the TV is off and I suspect it's because the Chromcast has been "inactive" for 2-3+ hours. My settings haven't changed and it's still set to be on for at least 8 hours before shutting off. So far each time it's been while playing YouTube TV, so I'm not sure if it would happen on Spotify, YouTube. I've done a restart as well and it still happens.

[kelanfromgoogle · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your patience. Our team is aware of this issue and is actively investigating to find a fix. In the meantime, if you wish to prevent your Chromecast from powering off due to inactivity you can navigate to Settings > Developer options > Stay awake and toggle that option.

To enable developer options on your Chromecast with Google TV navigate to your device settings > System >  About > Android TV OS build, and then press the Select button on the remote about 7 times. This process will enable the developer options on your device.

Please stay tuned to the community forum, we will communicate as soon as a fix is identified and on the way.

Thank you,
Kelan

[Chook71]

I'm sorry to tell you this appears to be a well known issue since the last update. I myself have 2 Chromecast with Google TV (HD) devices and both will now go into standby after 4 hours. The one in my office I use to stream the feed from my Nest Outdoor security camera but the system doesn't care, after 4 hours it turns off. 

For the first time today, I was able to catch the message that pops up saying the Android TV device is going into standby. 

I have logged a support case with Google this morning and they have said they will get back to me in 24-48 hours. From reading other posts people have put up about the exact same issue I'm not holding my breath that a) I will hear back, and b) it will be fixed anytime soon. 

[DisJeepHer]

I'm thankful someone else is experiencing this.  I thought it was our devices.  I even reset one of them to factory and it's still happening. 

[r3dDaWn]

Chromcast Shutting Off While Inactive : Chromecast (reddit.com)

I'm in the same boat, ever since the last update to Chromecast with Google TV was applied, this issue has been constant. The popup comes quickly, you have seconds to push a button or it turns off the TV. I have tried verifying in the System settings it's set to NEVER to power down when inactive, and yet still it does it. I hope someone makes Google aware of this issue so it can be fixed ASAP... Link is to a reddit post about this as well!!

[Kimy]

Hi folks,

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community. Right now, we’re still gathering details. A report has been submitted, and we will give you an update on it.

Thanks,

Kimy

[sysOp]

And...........

[Kimy]

Hi everyone,

The team is still investigating this, and we will give you an update once it is available.

Regards,
Kimy

[Chook71]

Ok so this morning (Australian time) the following software update was available for both my Chromecast With Google TV (HD): 

STTE.230319.008.R1

I can confirm that after installing this update it DOES NOT resolve the issue. 

4 hours on the dot the TV turns off again. 

Maybe google wants to consider rolling back the changes in the previous update that caused this issue in the first place. Just a thought. 

[Spectre84]

Month and a half and it is still a problem. Even worse is your own team doesn't seem to be aware of it as I have been escalated to higher support.

[Krojack]

Going on 4 months now and this still happens. It's not some random occurrence either. It's literally every single time at exactly 4 hours of running without touching the remote.

I've seen a few software updates since this was reported without a fix. If you're unable or unwilling to fix this then I would like a refund.

[Spectre84]

Best part is certain Apps are actually not "sensed", I use DSVideo and I had it kick off in the middle of watching my cartoons/shows and it just cut out on me

[printmaster5000]

I recently purchased my Chromecast with Google TV HD, and despite changing the power settings to never sleep, it turns off four hours into my workday, just when I'm getting into the 'zone': a perfect balance of music and work productivity.

[GreenMile]

I had the same problem. Had to go into developer mode to fix it. It worked! Couldn't tell you how I did it though. Someone on here posted it or you could look it up online.

[Chook71]

This is now the third time I have requested any kind of update. I logged support case number is 2-3139000033754 with Google almost a month ago and have asked multiple times for updates and get nothing back.

this is the same scenario with multiple Google products, 

[MintChoco484]

@Kimy  Those of us who have posted here have been pretty patient after almost 2 months. Can you please provide a status update regarding the plan to correct this issue? Has the root cause been identified? Are developers working through this? Is this in QC? Will this fix be released with an upcoming update? Seems only fair at this point to keep the lines of communication open to everyone who has been impacted by something not caused by the end user.

[kookatron]

Was this just a straight up lie? Can we get an actual update on this? The device is effectively broken for me with this bug.

[Chook71]

The only way I have been able to get any kind of response from Google support was to put a post on Twitter outlining the issue and the fact that after months Google will not respond. I directed this to the @madebygoogle account on Twitter and surprise surprise I get a response.

When I provided them with my case number, details of the issue, and links to the form page they responded with "there is no confirmed bug". Seriously WTF. 

They were able to get the support team to actually reply to my case. They asked me to use 2 mobile phones one to use as a hotspot and the second to configure the device and set it up from scratch to rule out it wasn't a network issue. Again seriously WTF.  First of all I don't have 2 mobile phones and secondly I'm not having this device connected to my mobile for 4+ hours just to confirm what we already know. 

I did setup a new WiFi network and ran a number of tests, namely if you set the Power and Energy settings to anything under 4 hours then the system performs as it should. Above 4 hours it performs as has been detailed both in this forum and my support case. 

This information was provided to Google over a week ago and I have again received no response. Followed up with @madebygoogle but still nothing. 

Given googles complete lack of response to my support requests and posts on this forum plus the fact at no point have they asked for any kind of logs etc I believe that are doing exactly the square root of jack Sh!t to resolve this issue.

[Atlantis613]

I just had to upgrade from a Gen 2 I bought in 2015 yesterday and I am already experiencing this issue, I was wondering if anyone found a fix or are we just SOL? I am so upset my Gen 2 died because it lasted for 12 hours without shutting off and now this one barely lasts 3. Thank you!

[r3dDaWn]

To those that inquire about this issue. Until Google releases an update to fix the problem, the only "fix", which is temporary but does work, is the option of enabling Developer Options, then selecting, "Stay Awake - screen will never sleep while charging".... This will stop the issue of the power mode turning the TV off bug, but you will lose "ambient mode", which is basically the screen saver that kicks on. You can manually go to ambient mode by clicking the back button on your remote from the main screen of the chromecast device. I know the moderator stated not to use Developer Options, and it's a good point never to mess with things that could cause you problems, but doing just this one thing, wont' hurt your device, just remember to not disable or enable any other options. Once an update is issued to your device, I would disable the option to see if that fixes it, if not, re-enable and mess with no other options until that fix is issued out by Google. If you don't know how to enable the Developer Options, google it, or via this link. Hope this helps until the issue is fixed! To the Mods, this 1 single option won't hurt anyone, and does make the problem go away, and since it's a widespread issue, I feel people should have the knowledge and choice to help them until the fix is issued by Google.

https://allaboutchromecast.com/enable-developer-options-in-chromecast-with-google-tv/

[Kimy]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the info, @r3dDaWn. We don’t recommend enabling Developer Options, as it may alter the device’s normal functions.

The team is still investigating this, and we will give you an update.

Regards,

Kimy

[Kimy]

Hello folks,

The submitted report is now with our developers/engineering team, which is currently investigating this. We will update this thread once we hear from them.

Thanks,

Kimy

[Chook71]

Just in the last week one of my Chromecast with Google TV appears to turn off after 4 hours even though the Power and energy setting is set to never. 

This happens regardless of what is actually happening on the device. It can be idle and showing the ambient mode slide show, streaming my Nest security camera or streaming from one of the apps, i.e. Netflix.  

I have tried changing the power end energy settings to 24 hours or even 12 hours but makes no difference. 

It has been working flawlessly for the past 6 months, this has only been happening for about the last week. 

Not sure if there has been a recent update that may have caused this or if my TV is on its way out (it is old).

Anyone else having a similar issue?  

[Chook71]

Update: 

I have two of these devices so I have reset both and switch the TV's they were plugged into. 

Even though both have the power and energy setting is set to never they both turn the TV off after about 4 hours. 

One is an old TV and the other is a new TV. Both have any power-saving options turned off.

This seems to have started happening after the most recent update as it never use to happen. 

I'm glad I checked as I was about to go and buy a new TV as I thought the old one might have been broken.  

Unfortunately, it's starting to look like yet another Google product that is not fit for purpose. 

Google Nest Wifi - Points constantly go offline for no reason. Poor wifi performance. Will have to be replaced with another brand

Google Nest Camera - Constantly goes offline. Poor video quality, new ones are overpriced. Will have to be replaced with another brand

Chromecast with Google TV - Turns itself off regardless of what settings are applied. If not fixed will replace with something else. 

VERY DISAPPOINTING GOOGLE

[THIIIIRSTY]

Just wanted to chime in to say I've had the same problem on both of our chromecast devices with two different TVs. On the smart TV, it also turns the TV off. The other TV we have is older and goes to a blue screen. I've checked every power setting/option and they are all set to never turn off, but they have done it every day this week while I've been listening to lo-fi in the background during work. Very frustrating. Hopefully we get an answer/software update to fix this issue soon.

[r3dDaWn]

I'm in the same boat, ever since the last update to Chromecast with Google TV was applied, this issue has been constant. The popup comes quickly, you have seconds to push a button or it turns off the TV. I have tried verifying in the System settings it's set to NEVER to power down when inactive, and yet still it does it. I hope someone makes Google aware of this issue so it can be fixed ASAP... Link is to a reddit post about this as well!!

Chromcast Shutting Off While Inactive : Chromecast (reddit.com)

[Kimy]

Hi folks,

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community. Right now, we’re still gathering details. A report has been submitted, and we will give you an update on it.

Thanks,

Kimy

[cgtvdude]

Are you all SURE it is the CCGT doing this?  I only ask because I have been having this problem too for about 10 days BUT have assumed it is because of my TV (LG OLED).  I use my TV mainly as a display for CCGT's ambient mode so nothing else is connected, so it is one of those 2.   I saw nothing in CCGTV set to turn off, and nothing in my TV is set to turn off either....BUT there used to be a energy saving option in the LG OLED to turn-off after 4-hours that is no longer visible in the menus.   I finally got so annoyed I set timers at 3:55 minutes and watched my TV turn off at exactly 4 hours. The message that is displayed about 30 seconds before auto-powering off says "STANDBY The android TV device will soon turn off, press a button to keep it on."

To me, that sounds like the TV turning itself off and NOT the CCGTV.

[Chook71]

I know in my case it is definitely the CCGTV and NOT the TV.

How can I be so sure?

Neither of the TV's I have these devices plugged into run Android TV. One is a Samsung which runs Tizen TV OS and the other is a Viewsonic NX2240w which is +15year old and has no OS. The only Android TV devices are the CCGTV. I believe LG TV's run WebOS NOT Android TV so unlikely it is your TV either as it is not running the OS that is shutting down your TV. 

I had done the same as you and set a timer so I could catch it on the viewsonic (So google could not say it was the TV) and at exactly 4 hours received the same message as you (and everyone else). 

It is VERY clear to everyone else that this is a Google issue created because of the last software update. 

[r3dDaWn]

cgtvdude   no this isn't an issue with the TV, it's bug within the system that is causing this issue...

So I think I found a possible temp fix. If you enable Developer Options and then enable "keep screen alive while charging", my issue has gone away, no more "inactive popup", and no shutdowns. Since enabling this option, my issue went away, which before would happen every other hour or so as per my posts. Hopefully, this helps others till a fix is made. I'll update if this issue returns for me as well...

[cgtvdude]

Thanks!! Giving this a try.  For anyone else who hasn't done this before, here's a link with instructions:

https://allaboutchromecast.com/enable-developer-options-in-chromecast-with-google-tv/#How-to-enable-...

[cgtvdude]

So I did implement this and it DOES stop the TV from turning off.............BUT introduced a new "feature" by which it quits Ambient Mode and never restarts it again (just stays on the main GTV menu). So yeah, they definitely still need to fix this.

[Kimy]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the info, @r3dDaWn and @cgtvdude. We don’t recommend enabling Developer Options, as it may alter the device’s normal functions.

The team is still investigating this, and we will give you an update.

Regards,

Kimy

[maor1982]

Hello Kimy,

For the past month, users of Google Chromecast reported issues that are very interruptive to their daily life. I am in the same boat.

We all hear from you that the issue is being investigated for more than a month now, and there is no resolution, updated fix or suggestion from you on how you can help.

Please include some of the developers to respond to our concerns here.

Like some others, the Ambient mode is the only thing that I use the Chromecast for, and the option is no longer working as designed. Please give us an alternative so we don't have to migrate to other platforms, like some users did.

Regards,

Maor

[TCBHawks]

So please fix the issue so that we don't have to enable developer mode this has been an issue since the April 1st 2023 update so over 90 days old now.  Either role back the update or fix it this SHOULD not take over 90 days to fix.  I have disable auto update from my other google devices to avoid this issue but unfortunately the update is on my main TV and I don't want it going to sleep.

[Danxiety]

I'm so glad I've finally found others are having this issue. I've not long gone from a standard Chromecast, and moved to Chromecast HD with Google TV . I've been checking every setting on the CCHD, as well as the TV, and only caught the warning a few days ago. At first I thought it was cutting out!

I've switched it between the different HDMI ports, and have checked it on two different TVs, and it still shuts itself off after four hours. 

Hopefully Google come out with a fix soon! 

[ShanArctic]

I just started having this issue after I selected from 8 hours to never.  Now it turns off every 4 hours.  I am hoping they fix this issue, but glad I am not the only one experiencing this. 

[MSLongIsland]

I have the same issue everyone else is describing. I’m relieved to know it’s not just me. I know it’s the Chromecast causing the issue because I’ve watched the TV show a message that there is no signal from the device. I happened to catch it 4 hours after the Chromecast was turned on. I have it set to Never turn off in Ambient mode. I hope the fix comes soon. It’s really annoying. We’ve had the Chromecasts on multiple TV’s for years and have not had this happen. 

[Rambler757]

Same problem here, all was working fine until the last update. Nothing changed on my end at all. Google, FIX YOUR STUFF

[smity911]

Same issue on 5 devices. how did this make it past QC? literally the only reason i have them is for always on displays.

[jatphd]

same problem!  Have been using device (i.e., Chromecast with Google TV HD) as digital picture frame.  Everything was working fine until couple weeks ago when device auto updated.  Turns off after approx 4 hours even though have set ambient mode to never turn off if inactive.  Have also tried other settings (e.g., 24 hours) but still turns off after approx 4 hours.  Filed ticket (Case ID) with Google via chat support.  Not only have they not fixed the problem but they also don't respond to any emails.  Worst customer service experience in very long time!