Windows Chrome tab casting, Screenless devices not available

[SimonTurner]

Hello.

I want to stream BBC Sounds (i.e. audio only) from a Chrome browser tab on a Windows 11 laptop to a Google Home or Google Mini . But it seems this not possible as only devices with screens are listed as 'available devices'.

Anyone know a way round this?

Thanks very much.

PS. It's not a BBC Sounds issue.

[Azarco · Accepted solution]

Hello there,

I'm sorry if you feel that way.  Could you try checking if there's an Anti-virus on your laptop? Have you tried using a different laptop or computer? Are your Google Home speakers still responding to your voice commands?

Also, no bots here, only humans. 

Thanks,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hey SimonTurner,

Thanks for reaching out — let me help you out.

Kindly check if your laptop and/or computer is running the latest version of Chrome. If not, here's how to get Chrome updates. Make sure your Google Home, Google Home Mini and laptop are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and within 15-20 feet of your router. Visit this link for additional information.

Looking forward to your response.

Best,
Alex

[SimonTurner]

Thanks Alex.
It looks like you might have underestimated my intelligence/knowledge. My wifi network is fine and Chrome is latest version.

The problem is as I describe. Please read it.

One question for you. Are you some sort of bot? If you are you probably need some work.

[Azarco · Accepted solution]

Hello there,

I'm sorry if you feel that way.  Could you try checking if there's an Anti-virus on your laptop? Have you tried using a different laptop or computer? Are your Google Home speakers still responding to your voice commands?

Also, no bots here, only humans. 

Thanks,

Alex

[SimonTurner]

I'll try to mak this clearer.

I am using BBC Sounds on a web browser. Googe interprets this as a video facility and so only lets me cast to Google devices with screens. However, BBC Sounds is a podcast/radio facility only so offers an audio stream (no video).

There is nothing wrong with my set up. It is the Google policy that is wrong, but IT IS a deliberate Google policy. I am asking for a work around.... althoigh it would be better if Google let me stream to Google audio devices from  Chrome browser, and not just Google devices with screens.

FYI. I imagine Google have this policy as the company does not want people to stream 'audio only' from YouTube, their video service via a web browser. Just a guess.

I do hope this is clear enough for you.

[SimonTurner]

Ia hve received an email saying that I selected one of Azarco's messages as a 'Best Answer'. I didn't. And neither would I as all the answer have been hopeless as the Google support person clealt has not read my post properly. This seems endemic at GoogleNestCommunity. It is frankly the worst support site I have ever, ever used. It is only good for wasting your time. I aassume that Google selected the 'Best Answer' to shut down this thread as it is unwilling to provide an answer to what is a very clear, and straightforward enquiry: 

'Why does Google not let me cast from a Chrome tab to Google Nest devices that do not have screens?'
Secondary question:
'As Google does not facilitate casting from a Chrome browser tab to Google Nest devices that do not have screens how can I cast audio streams from BBC Sounds (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) to my screenless Google Nest devices (e.g: Home, Mini and Chromecast Audio)?'

[Muddi]

Hi SimonTurner,

Apologize for the delays. Chiming in to ensure everything is covered here. To confirm, are you having issues casting from a different cast-enabled website or apps like YouTube Music or Netflix? Does the same issue happen when casting from a different laptop or computer?

Please make sure that the source is set to "Cast Tab" when casting using your Chrome browser. 

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Muddi

[SimonTurner · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your reply. An update seems to have cured the issue since I last posted. Now I can stream both Youtube and BBC Sounds from a Chrome tab on a Windows 11 laptop to any of my smart devices, whether they have a screen or not.

So there is no 'best answer' for this. Google seem to have made a change that has cured the issue.

[Princesss]

Hi SimonTurner,

Thanks for the update. Glad to know that it's already working.

Since this has been resolved, we'll consider this complete and will lock the thread now. Feel free to start a new one if you need assistance with your Google Nest devices and the Community would gladly help.

Best,

Princess