Chromecast picture on TV freezes but audio fine (when mirroring tab only)

[Sabine28]

Hi,

I've been running Chrome on the Macbook and Chromecast on the TV for years now and didn't change a thing. While all is fine as long as Chromecast grabs the videos by itself (such as with Netflix for example), mirroring a tab with a video stopped working last week. The video on the TV freezes immediately but the audio keeps going correctly. 

It is not a network issue as everyting still works well on all other Macbooks in the house and again, nothing has been changed. Chrome is up to date as well, Chromecast was resetted, everything rebooted multiple times. 

Interesting fact - when I cast to a Chromecast music device for a few seconds and then swith back to the Chromecast on the TV, it works for about 10 seconds but then the pucture freezes again.

Any help would be appreciated as this is our "TV Mac" and it woud be nice if that connection would be working normally again. Thanks!

[henryIV]

I have the same problem. This problem appeared at the end of March 2024. When broadcasting a tab, the video freezes immediately, no matter what is in the tab. The sound continues to broadcast.
Computer Apple/MacOS 10.15.7, Chrome version 123.0.6312.107, Chromecast 1, Chromecast 2.
As I understand it, the problem is precisely in the Chrome browser software; it appeared after its next update.

[samadiq94]

Has there been a fix for this issue, I have the same issues with casting my Macbook on the chromecast now too

[henryIV]

It is impossible to fix this problem on your own. I tried resetting Chromecast, updating Chrome, reconfiguring Wi-Fi - it didn't work. I think the problem is with the Chrome browser for Mac. I don’t know how to draw the attention of Google developers to this.

[alejandom]

Hi everyone,

I hope you are well, I'm sorry that your Chromecast is not working, but we've reached a point where your Chromecast cannot be restored to functionality, on another hand you can call our customer service line to check if your Chromecast it's still under warranty to proceed with a replacement for your device. 

Regards,

Mario. 

[undeadfat]

Can't agree with alejandom.

This does not seem to be a hardware issue. When casting youtube or other supported videos directly to TV (use the video player's cast button), there is little to no freeze at all. Video and audio played smoothly.

When casting a tab which has video players not natively supporting Chromecast, it freezes.

So this is clearly:

1. Not caused by network.

2. Not caused by chromecast hardware.

3. Not caused by the laptop.

You can't explain why casting videos work while only casting tabs with video won't work.

To me, this is 99% a software issue, and it's absolutely not tested by devs. Although I believe this is somehow broken by some "performance optimizations", there is chance that this is purposely done to further build multi-tiered paid Chrome so that you can't cast tabs without handing more $$$.

[henryIV]

I completely agree with you.
The problem is not with the Chromecast device (I have two of them and both stopped working at the same time), there is no point in “calling Google” and “changing it under warranty.”
This is a Chrome software problem.
Yes, if the site supports broadcasting (for example YouTube), broadcasting is possible.
But if you want to broadcast any of your tabs (for example, for a presentation), the images freezes. Why Google closed the ability to broadcast videos from Chrome's tabs - I don’t know, but we won’t know the truth.
Ok, you'll have to look for equipment from other manufacturers for broadcasting.

[Flazzerini]

Hi all,

We are in exactly the same situation... 

We have been running a 1st gen Chromecast for a number of years now, with no problem at all.

A few weeks ago we started having issues with mirroring tabs; sound plays fine but the video freezes within a couple of seconds of casting. Youtube videos were casting fine but the desktop just froze.  After many hours of trying every possible solution but without success, we decided to upgrade our Chromecast to the latest 4K model. 

Frustratingly (and￡60 later!), the new Chromecast has exactly the same issues! This is NOT a hardware/network/macbook problem, it is 100% a software issue. Sort it out GOOGLE!  

[alejandom]

Hi everyone,

I'm here to help you with the issues you're facing. To troubleshoot effectively and provide real-time verification, please call our customer service line. I've also sent you a contact form that you can use to get a specialist working with you in this issue.

Remember, the goal is to be clear, helpful, and positive in your communication.

Regards,

Mario.