Chromecast Audio, music distorted when browser minimized...

[Captn01]

I have a brand new Surface Laptop 4 that is superior in every way to my previous computer. However I have a very strange issue now when I am casing music to my Chromecast Audio device through a browser. The audio player perfectly unless I minimize the browser. After a few moments it becomes very distorted, somewhat like it is skipping but also sounds like it's sped up too.

This happens regardless of what music service I use and if I bring the browser back up then after about 10 seconds the music starts playing fine again.

So far I have tried updating all wireless drivers, rolling back the drivers, reinstalling Chrome, factory reset on the Chromecast, I've tried raising the priority of the Chromes processes, and just about anything else I could think of... Really at a loss here!

[NW17]

Same issue here on my surface. As soon as I use outlook or excel the sound distorts. Any solution you have found so far?

[Captn01]

Nope... I just have my users keep the browser up. It doesn't have to be the front most window it just cannot be minimized.

[NW17]

Thanks - yep just keeping it open in the background works. Not ideal but at least a workaround. Thanks for the reply. 

[Captn01]

No problem! If I ever come up with anything else I will message back.

[Jeran]

Hey there everyone,

I'm just checking up on this thread, does anyone have any more questions or need any additional help? 

Thank you for helping out on your thread, Captn01!

Best regards,
Jeran
 

[Captn01]

I mean it would be awesome to get an actual solution... but we are making due.

[JA81]

what Help? we're all seeking out help besides keeping the browser maximized, does google have an answer??

[annlb]

The browser has to have focus for the sound to be ok, as soon as I switch to another app the distortion starts. This is on Windows 11, never had it happen on Windows 10

[AlizeeFR]

Is there a way to force the browser to maintain focus? Many of us can't go back to Windows 10 for one or more reasons. Still having this issue myself, unfortunately 

[NW17]

Still looking for an actual solution other than keep the browser open in the background to avoid minimizing it. This seems just to be a workaround - but thanks to Captn01 for at least finding a half solution that works

[Juni]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you still need our help. Please let us know as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
 

Thanks,

Juni

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

I'm just checking in to make sure that you've seen our response. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns as I will be locking this thread in 24 hours.

Cheers,

Dan

[Captn01]

Please do not lock the thread. I have not had time to respond but will put a detailed response tomorrow.

[NW17]

Hi

What is the solution??

I can’t see any answer to the problem just someone asking for lots of information which I haven’t had time to provide!

Please leave thread open until an actual solution is provided. 

thanks 

[m33ts4k0z]

Issue is still actual. Dont lock anything. You cant expect us to test 20 things for you and give us a time limit. You have internal teams for that.

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

Sure thing! I'll keep this open until we get a resolution. In the meantime, let's try to improve your audio quality, try these steps:

1. Make sure your Chromecast Audio is plugged into the wall using the power supply included in your Chromecast Audio box.
2. Make sure all connections are securely plugged in
   1. Unplug and replug the cords to verify a secure connection.
3. Try enabling Full Dynamic Range.
4. Put some distance between your Chromecast Audio and your audio system.
   1. Move the Chromecast Audio device as far away from the audio system that the cord will stretch.
5. Try a different cable. Here's an overview of compatible cables.

Tell me how it goes.

Best,

Dan

[NW17]

Hi Dan

Any assistance you can provide on this? The issue remains?

[m33ts4k0z]

Hello,

Same issue happens with me too and the mentioned workaround does work but it is not ideal. We still can't minimize Chrome.

[JA81]

Same here on a lenovo thinkbook 15. my surface pro 4 and 7+ work just fine, i looked everywhere for a solution, just so weird. My issue is with disney plus, it doesn have a cast button embeded in the player, so i cast the whole tab, and the second i minimize chrome the sound starts distorting after 5 seconds.

[AlizeeFR]

did you ever get a solution for this? I have the same issue

[Jeran]

Hey there everyone,

I'm really sorry about the late response on this thread, let's see if we can dig a bit deeper into this issue and see what the problem is. Let me ask some questions to narrow down the root cause:

• When did this issue start occurring?
• What Operating System are you using?
• What version of Google Chrome are you using?
• Does this same issue occur when casting from Google Canary?
• Does this same issue occur when casting from another device, such as a different computer or laptop?
• Is your Google Home app up-to-date?

I look forward to the responses, and I appreciate the help on this!

Best regards,

Jeran

[Jeran]

Hey there everyone,

Does anyone have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran

[Azarco]

Hello all,

We want to ensure you are good to go, and everything is working properly. Please let us know if you are still having trouble, as I will be locking the thread in 24 hours due to inactivity.

Regards,

Alex

[NW17]

Hi

If you could take the time to tell me what the actual solution is as opposed to just wanting to lock the thread that would be useful?

Please read the thread and tell me what you think the answer is?? There is no solution being offered just a heap of questions!

[Azarco]

Hey NW17,

Sorry if you feel that way. Have you tried using Google Canary in casting? To verify, are you getting the same result when casting using a mobile phone?

Thanks,

Alex

[Captn01]

I am in IT and I have done any and all troubleshooting I can think of. I'll break it down one last time.

This happens on any windows device I test (so far tested on 12 of them) AT LEAST on Windows 10 and 11. When using ANY chrome browser, regardless of version. This is not a mobile device issue, only Windows.

Steps to Reproduce: Play music from any music streaming service>Cast to Audio Chromecast>lower browser window>after 5-30 seconds the distortion occurs>bring up browser window again and 5-30 seconds later the distortion stops.

The only work around so far has been to keep the browser window up, as in do no minimize it. Again browser version does not matter, nor does using Canary help. This has been ongoing for a long time, and actually since before my original post. I had just forgotten it was an issue until I set up my (at the time) new laptop.

[Azarco]

Hello there,

Understood. We'd be happy to take a look into this for you. Please fill out this form with all the needed information and let us know once you're done.

Best,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hi all,

Have you had the chance to fill out the form above?

Regards,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hey everyone,

It's us again. How's it going with your Chromecast Audio? Let us know if you still need our assistance.

Thanks,

Alex

[JenniferV]

Hello there,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we’ll be locking this thread after 24 hours. If you're still experiencing problems, please feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

I appreciate your help here, Alex, Jeran, Juni, and Dan!

Best,

Jennifer

[NW17]

Hi

I have now filled out the form. It is basically exactly as Captn01 posted on the very first post that started the thread. If you needed this putting in form format that is now done.

It is amazing how quickly people want to close the thread rather than reading the issue and finding a solution!

[NW17]

Yes - we do. Have you seen a solution posted here??

[NW17]

Yes - now done

[NW17]

For reference everyone - this is the issue that remains unresolved.

[JenniferV]

Hey NW17,

I'm on the same side with you in getting the most out of your Chromecast.

We received your form and thanks for filling it out. I'll hand it over to our team and they'll reach out to you via email anytime soon so keep an eye on your inbox.

Thanks,

Jennifer

[JenniferV]

Hi folks,

It's been a while since this thread was last updated by any affected customers so I'll go ahead and lock this thread after 24 hours. If you need help in the future, please feel free to start a new thread in the Community.
 

Best,

Jennifer

[NW17]

Jennifer- why are you so desperate to lock the thread? The only activity on this thread is so called community specialists trying to close it?

The issue remains - why not encourage some help to fix it as opposed to constantly trying to close it??

[m33ts4k0z]

Does locking the thread fixes the Chromecast issue? How about locking the thread AFTER the issue has been resolved? And in your world "a while" is 4 days? Your world must be very small.

Do not lock the thread. This is still an issue that google needs to resolve. And it affects everyone I know.

More than 20 people with chromecasts have the same issue when casting from their computers. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Locking this thread doesnt solve it. Instead tell us what you need so we can help troubleshoot this.

[JenniferV]

Hi NW17 and m33ts4k0z,

We apologize if this thread was closed sooner than you would have liked. As Community Specialists, we occasionally do a bit of housekeeping to keep the conversations in our Community fresh and relevant. This includes locking threads after a period of inactivity or if you have already filled out the form and it was handed over to our support team.

I'll go ahead and leave this thread open until you will be assisted by our support team. Also, m33ts4k0z, if you haven't filled out the form, please fill it out so our team can further assist you. 
 

Thanks,

Jennifer