Chromecast fails from multiple tv streaming apps

[HeavyChrome]

I have a second and third gen chromecast this happens to. I’ve isolated that this is not ISP issue as well.

I use Pluto, Tubi, and Xumo which all experience this problem whereas Netflix does not.

They will be streaming fine for a short period of time maybe 1 hour or so, and then there will be “an errored occurred” message and a drop back to your screensaver. It’s been happening for several months but I just figured it was some issue that would get fixed. It’s frequent enough that it’s maddening. I sent tickets to all three apps support and they can’t find a problem. I’m convinced this is a chromecast problem that needs to be patched.

Please help.

[Kimy]

Hi HeavyChrome,

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community. We’re sorry for the delay in response. Based on your description, it seems to be working as intended, as it worked with Netflix and other apps except the streaming apps that you mentioned. Although your internet connection can be fast and stable, possible network issues can still happen (DNS issues, server rejection, etc.). To isolate, try to do a factory reset, then set it up from scratch. Instead of connecting it to your home Wi-Fi, connect it to another smartphone’s mobile hotspot to observe.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Kimy

[HeavyChrome]

Hi I do networking for a living. This is not a network issue with the ISP. Since posting this I am convinced it may have something to do with how those services change streams to display commercial ad interstitials (videos). It happens most frequently when coming from the ads back to the main stream. I am unable to isolate if this is a stream failure from the cloud; ie the service is doing something your APIS don’t like or the chromecast fails on error. In some cases it will say something went wrong and soft ‘reboot’ to the screen saver. This makes me believe the  chromecast device is getting some api or packet it doesn’t understand and crashes. As stated this happens on a Gen 2 and Gen 3 device with the same firmware.

A third option due to it mostly happening on ad interstitials (video) is that there is a domain origin issue going on. Not sure if your team can run some tests with those apps and log it? As to factory reset I tried that and reinstall of the apps just in case. It did not work. Thank you.

[Kimy]

Hello HeavyChrome,

Thanks for the reply. Since you’re in the IT field, chances are you may have seen the chipsets of these pure (slave) casting devices (Chromecast, Miracast, etc.). All of its modules are entirely for casting, with no differentiation of commanding device within WLAN. Which is why casting from one device can always be interrupted by another device within the network. It has no differentiation for content that was cast, as it accepts content from a cast-enabled app(s). The Chromecast 2nd Gen (2015) was phased out the same year that the Chromecast 3rd Gen (2018) was released, and the latter was phased out in 2022. Even if we assume that these devices are faulty, they're most likely out of warranty.

If this is a bug, then with the millions of users of Chromecast devices around the world, and with millions of users of those apps you mentioned, and with hundreds of thousands of users (community members, community specialists, product experts, etc.) in this community, this thread should have received multiple posts related to this from the day you posted it.

As per the firmware, you can check here: Find your device's firmware version. Use this as your guide: Chromecast firmware versions and release notes.

I hope this sheds some light on the situation. Let us know if you still have questions.

Sincerely,

Kimy

[HeavyChrome]

Yes, I do not think it is a physical device problem as other apps and devices do not fail. My post here was to see if it was a common issue. If these apps are not properly using the SDK; I am not sure what your referral headers require, or cross origins allow on an active stream.

It appears there was a thread on one of these apps here: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Chromecast/Chromecast-disconnecting-pluto-tv/m-p/442605

I wish google could restrict apps with persistent issues like this until resolved as it creates threads like this one and it has been around a while. Thanks for the responses.

[Kimy]

Hi HeavyChrome,

We hear you. It is most likely beyond Google’s authority to limit app developers publishing their apps. After all, it’s their loss against their competition if they don’t perform well on the platforms they chose to market. There’s a reason why Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, etc. are leading on most platforms.

Let us know if you still have questions.

Warmly,

Kimy