How can I disable guest mode in 2nd generation?

[Bi3]

My chromecast keeps showing hidden guest network with open security.

I want it off I don't need it.
Thanks.

[Kimy]

Hi Bi3,

Thanks for posting here in the Google Nest Community. You must be referring to a network name like Chromecast1234 that appears on your available Wi-Fi networks. That is not the Guest Mode. The Guest Mode is an old feature (abolished) that allows your guests to cast on your Chromecast despite them not being connected to your home Wi-Fi, as long as you provide them with the PIN.

The Chromecast network that shows up on the Wi-Fi list is the device’s hotspot, which is needed when pairing upon setup. If it appears, it means it’s not connected to Wi-Fi or is not set up at all. You can’t stop it from showing up, not until you set it up completely or unplug the device.

I hope this sheds some light on the situation. Let us know if you still have questions.

Thanks,

Kimy

[Bi3]

HI Kimy,

Next, what I did:
1.Factory reset While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV and powered, hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast. The LED should begin to blink orange. When the LED light turns solid white, release the button and the Chromecast should then restart.
2. configure the device as follows, the network like Chromecast1234 appeared, I connected to it, opened the Google Home app on my iPhone and setup the device.
3. The Chromecast now appears with the name I assigned it like Bedroom.
4. I enter the YouTube app from my iPhone and it appears to cast to my Chromecast Bedroom and I can transmit without a problem.
5. In the YouTube app on my iPhone, I disconnect from Chromecast.
6. The Chromecast is already in ambient mode and a few minutes later a hidden network starts. I can look at it on my PC and also in wifi analyzer software called inSSIDer.
7. I stream from my phone again with the YouTube app and the hidden network is still there.

Since guest mode is not supported, I cannot turn it off from my Google Home app. In settings only Device information, recognition & sharing, ambient mode, video, audio, remove device, not guest mode appears.

Note: If I disconnect the chromecast from the power source, it no longer shows me the hidden network on my PC.
Thanks.
inSSIDer screen

[Kimy]

Hello Bi3,

Thanks for the reply. It is indeed an interesting theory that this may be due to the guest mode, which can’t be turned off now that the feature has been removed. But originally, this feature was turned off by default, and if ever it was enabled via the Google Home App, when the device has gone through a factory reset, everything is set to default again, which will eventually require the Google Home App to enable it again to show up. So this theory may not be plausible. It is still a mystery, though, that it does show up. Although it seems that it doesn’t show up on regular devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) as a Wi-Fi network but only on your computer with the help of this inSSIDer application, does it cause any issue at all? What happens when you manually connect to it? Does it affect the Chromecast device’s functionality? If we consider that the device is defective and it automatically broadcasts its SSID, since the Chromecast 2nd Gen has been phased out way back in 2018, this most likely is already out of warranty.

I hope this explanation makes sense. Let us know if you still have concerns with your Chromecast device.

Regards,

Kimy

[Bi3]

Hi Kimy,
The main problem with this is that Chromecast is in the bedroom where I also have other devices connected to the same network and since my router and Chromecast each transmit their own signal both on the same channel, my other devices have interference and sometimes disconnect from the router .
When I try to connect manually to the hidden network that Chromecast radiates, it asks me for a password, I enter the same password as the router and it doesn't work.

Is there a way to enter via adb and disable guest mode or that hidden network that radiates?
Thanks.

[Kimy]

Hi Bi3,

Appreciate the response. The hotspot range of Chromecast devices is expected to be short, and since this is a Chromecast 2nd Gen, aside from its hardware limitations, over the years it may have degraded. But then again, it is indeed trouble if it causes interference with the surrounding devices. The best workaround that I could suggest is to unplug it if it is not in use. The Chromecast 1st Gen has reached obsoletion, and in time, the Chromecast 2nd Gen is next in line. Perhaps this is the best time to upgrade to the newer ones (Chromecast with Google TV). It still has the casting features and more. The newer versions have the same price, if not cheaper, than their predecessors during release. You have the choice of the 4K or HD (much cheaper) versions. Let us know what you think.

Best,

Kimy