Need help with setup? Troubleshoot common Chromecast problems

[David_K]

Here are some steps I recommend to resolve issues during the setup of your Chromecast.

Step 1:  Things to check on your phone or tablet

1. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
2. Turn off cellular/mobile data.
   This ensures your phone or tablet does not try to use mobile data during setup which might interfere with the setup process.
3. Turn off VPNs or proxy settings or apps.
   To provide confidentiality or other features, some Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) route communications from your phone or tablet through something called a VPN tunnel, which might interfere with the setup process. You can temporarily turn off your VPN or proxy during setup, and turn it on again later.
4. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, open the settings app then:
• Tap your name at the top > iCloud > Private Relay > Off.
  Private Relay routes communications through Apple servers before the rest of the Internet, which might interfere with the setup process. You can temporarily turn off Private Relay during setup, and turn it on again later.
• Tap back to the main settings screen > Privacy & Security > Local Network > Enable Google Home.
  By default, apps on iOS are blocked from accessing other devices on your local network. To be able to set up your device, you'll need to grant the Google Home app access to the local network on your iOS device.
5. Make sure you’re using a recent version of your phone or tablet’s operating system, by checking your phone’s settings for any updates.
6. Make sure you're using the latest version of the Google Home app, by checking the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for any updates.
7. Reboot your phone or tablet, usually by pressing and holding its power button.

Step 2:  Recommended setup steps
Set up Chromecast - Chromecast Help

Some things to bear in mind during setup:

1. For ease of setup, make sure your Chromecast is within 15 - 20 ft (4 - 6 m) of the Wi-Fi router. You can move your device to its desired location after setup.
2. If you have a dual band router that has different network names, try to set up your device on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
3. Reboot your Wi-Fi router by removing the power cable. Ensure you wait at least 30 seconds before reconnecting the power cable.
4. Reboot your Chromecast by removing the power cable, then reconnect it.
5. Retry setup in the Google Home app.

If none of the steps above help, factory reset your device by following the steps linked below and then retry setup. You may also want to try setup using a different phone or tablet, if you have one. If you don’t have one, perhaps see if you can temporarily borrow one from a friend or family member.

How to factory reset your Chromecast - Chromecast Help

Step 3:  Alternate setup steps

If the normal setup steps aren't working, you can try manually connecting to the setup Wi-Fi network being broadcast by the device. 

1. Force close the Google Home app.
• Android: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe up on the Google Home app.
• iPhone/iPad: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe up on the Google Home app. On older devices with a home button, double-click the Home button, then swipe up on the Google Home app.
2. Open your phone or tablet's settings app.
3. Open the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
4. Look for and connect to an available network with the name “ChromecastXXXX" (where XXXX is a random number).
5. Once connected, re-open the Google Home app and follow the steps on screen.

Step 4:  Advanced troubleshooting

If you’re still experiencing issues at this stage, it’s possible that your Wi-Fi router has a setting enabled that is preventing your device from working properly. Refer to the manual or documentation that came with your Wi-Fi router or consult the manufacturer’s support website to check the following settings on your router are set correctly.

Enable: 

• Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
• Multicast
• Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)

Disable:

• AP/client isolation
• Virtual private networks (VPNs) 
• Proxy servers
• Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Proxy
• MAC Address Filtering

Note that all Wi-Fi routers are different, so each setting may or may not be applicable to your particular router. Keep in mind that resetting or making changes to your router settings may have unintended consequences. If you have any questions or need assistance, we recommend you check your router manual or online support documentation, or contact your Internet Service Provider or router manufacturer.