08-20-2022 11:22 PM
I have a Chromecast generation one that has been working well for years. It recently became inaccessible for casting ,but the background screen did appear. After a factory reset, I am not able to reactivate it. I have seen many reports online of people unable to activate Chromecast. I have tried using a pixel 5, iPad, and an iPhone. All give the same behavior: the Chromecast appears on the tv screen, and the Google home sees that the device exists, but cannot activate it. The instructions provided by Google are totally insufficient.
Has anyone had any success activating Chromecast recently?
08-21-2022 02:53 AM
What is the exact error you're seeing and what country are you located in?
The "needs activation" message is specific to Android devices, not iPhone or iPad?
08-21-2022 05:58 AM
You search in device utility, it tells you to connect to the Chromecast hotspot and try again. You find a new Chromecast but when you press begin you get this error. " Could not communicate with your Chromecast" https://photos.app.goo.gl/3tCwk32VxiRD6fHMA
08-21-2022 07:46 AM
If you're not located in the US, try these steps:
08-25-2022 08:40 PM
Please see reply to Jeran, below.
08-24-2022 10:40 AM
Hey there ReeceHart,
I'm just checking up on this thread, did you have any more questions or need any additional help?
Thank you for help, David!
Thank you,
Jeran
08-25-2022 08:37 PM
Hi Jeran-
Thanks for checking. I do need additional help.
I have a Chromecast Gen 1. It's been on this TV for many years and worked well. Several weeks ago, it was no longer discoverable for casting but we would see the Chromecast backdrop on the scren (i.e., it was alive). We factory reset. We can no longer reconnect.
Here's specifically what I'm doing
So, here's what I don't understand:
From my point of view, Google has apparently effectively deprived me of previously working devices. I would like to understand why and I would like Google to take responsibility for whatever misstep led us here.
08-28-2022 08:43 PM
08-26-2022 01:07 AM
I'm having the same exact problem with Chromecast Audio devices. A few instructions online, including this thread, mention turning off WiFi "as instructed". My app does not instruct me to turn off WiFi, and if I try to go through the setup flow with WiFi off, it tells me I must activate WiFi. Like the original poster, I'm stuck in an endless loop of "you must activate" to the help center, which brings me right back to "must activate". Please help!
08-26-2022 03:35 PM
Don't know if this will help anyone but I was trying to do everything on a pixel 5. As soon as I tried it with an old Samsung tablet it worked fine.
08-27-2022 06:38 PM - edited 08-27-2022 06:57 PM
I've heard this before. My family has two pixel 5s, 3 iphones, and 2 ipads. I've tried one of each. None works.
08-27-2022 06:59 PM - edited 08-27-2022 06:59 PM
Not being able to activate Google devices with Google devices is the kind of product craziness that makes a guy like me sacrifice decades of Google allegiance and switch to Apple.
10-03-2022 12:34 PM
I couldn't agree more. I'm in the same position.
Note to companies... Please don't tell me that in order to activate a product you make I have to do it with a device you don't make. This makes no sense.
08-28-2022 08:48 PM
I just came across a claim that the breaking of our Chromecasts is due to Google losing a lawsuit. Is this true?
https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/vwr7qy/apparently_you_cant_setup_a_chromecast_with_a/
09-04-2022 11:35 AM