Poor WiFi connection after adding new Chromecasts to home

[AL127]

I've had a Chromecast with Google TV (4K) for several years and enjoyed it so much I recently bought two more.

Since adding the new Chromecasts, all 3 have been plagued with terrible WiFi which renders them unusable (<1 Mbps download). I have two Nest WiFi Pro APs which provide more than adequate coverage. I can hold my phone directly next to the Chromecast and get 500 Mbps connected to the same AP the Chromecast is getting <1 Mbps on.

Here is what I've tried so far:

• Changing WiFi network (moved from main SSID to guest which has no other devices connected)
• Factory resetting the Chromecast
• Relocating Chromecast
• Setting up WiFi manually on Chromecast (not using Google Home app)
• Updating to latest Firmware
• Power cycling Chromecast
• Power cycling router(s)

The issue is frequent, but not constant. After a reboot the Chromecast will test at >100 Mbps but even during the speed test I can watch the download speed drop from 120 to 3 Mbps or less.

The oldest Chromecast has some issues, but works far better than the new two.

I'm at my wits end. Why are only my Chromecasts having these WiFi issues? Why is it extending even to a device that previously worked nearly flawlessly?

[Kimy]

Hi AL127,

Thanks for posting and for being a step ahead of us. I suggest we isolate it by observing how all these 3 Chromecast devices behave on another network. If it can’t be done on another Wi-Fi network, try it with your phone’s mobile hotspot. The breakdown will be easy as soon as we identify where it falls. I look forward to your response.

Thanks,

Kimy

[Kimy]

Hi there,

I'm just checking in to make sure that you saw our responses. Please let us know if you still need our help, as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Regards,
Kimy

[AL127]

Thank you for the reply.

I've done some more relocating of the Chromecasts to see if it is device dependent or not.

I've determined that one location results in the worst performance, regardless of which of the two new Chromecasts is being used there. The third (older) Chromecast still works fine in this location, but regardless which of the two new ones are there, they both suffer critically poor performance.

It is strange for two reasons: 1. The older device works fine there. 2: the location is ~6 feet away from one of my Nest WiFi satellites and no other devices in the room suffer similar performance.

So I can now confidently say it is location based, but I don't know WHY that location is an issue for only these two Chromecasts.

[Kimy]

Hello AL127,

Thank you for sharing this information. Now that we've identified that this is about that particular location, let’s break it down. Which one affects which? Let’s try to disconnect it from that particular access point, then connect it to your phone's mobile hotspot within the same room and observe. If it persists, then an external influence has caused degradation. But if it improves with the mobile hotspot, then something is going on with the access point in this location. The breakdown continues. Let me know.

Best,

Kimy

[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

[Juni]

Hello there,
 

Just checking in to make sure that you saw our responses. I'll be locking this thread if we don't hear back from you again in 24 hours. Should that happen, feel free to create a new one if you have more questions or have other concerns in the future.

Best,

Juni