Chromecast is a small device created by Google, which allows us to stream content to our television or any monitor, which has an HDMI port where we can connect this accessory. Chromecast's popularity has been reignited with the launch of the Google Stadia video game platform, which runs on a Chromecast Ultra. We explain the most common problems that can occur in a Chromecast, and how to solve them as easily as possible.
Chromecast won't connect to WiFi or hangs, the most common errors
Chromecast is a fairly simple device that does not include a large number of components inside so it is not very frequent that it fails. Despite this, there are several situations in which this accessory may stop working properly.
One of the most frequent errors that can appear in a Chromecast is that the device is not able to connect to the Wi-Fi network of our home. If this happens, it will be impossible for you to send content from your smartphone or tablet to this Google accessory.
Another problem that can occur is that the Chromecast seems to get stuck when you send it some content from your mobile phone. This is something that has happened to me more than once, and the truth is that it can be quite annoying, because the device stops responding to our commands.
Restart your Chromecast device
There is a standard in the world of technology, which states that restarting devices can fix most problems . Of course, in the case of Chromecast it is no different, and restarting it should be the first measure to take if it presents some kind of problem in its operation.
Chromecast is a device that keeps running constantly, and does not have any button to serve to restart it. Therefore, the only way to restart it is to disconnect it from the mains, and reconnect it after a few seconds.
Restart the router
If you have already restarted your Chromecast, and it still does not work correctly, touch go to the next step.
It is possible that some kind of problem has occurred in your router, preventing the Chromecast from connecting correctly to your Wi-Fi network. This is something that also happens from time to time on computers, you see that your laptop is unable to connect to the Wi-Fi network without any apparent explanation.
Many times this problem is solved by just restarting your router. This will renew all Wi-Fi connections generated by the router, and all your devices including the Chromecast should be able to reconnect.
Check the Wi-Fi signal
If your Chromecast still can't successfully connect to your Wi-Fi network even after the router has been rebooted, the problem may be due to too much distance between the two devices.
Wi-Fi signals easily get weaker as distance increases , and even more so if there are walls in between. This situation can be further aggravated in the case of the Chromecast, since it is a device that is located next to the television, and can be affected by electromagnetic interference.
Therefore, it is important that you ensure that the router is as close as possible to your Chromecast. It is also interesting that you use an extender to connect the Chromecast to an HDMI port on the TV, in this way the Google device will be a little more protected from possible electromagnetic interference.
Factory reset the Chromecast
Chromecast includes a small button that you can use to reset this device to its factory settings. You just have to press and hold this button for a few seconds to start the process.
After that you will have to reconfigure your Chromecast using the Google Home application, you can download it for free from Google Play, the process will only take a few minutes.
Insufficient power on the Chromecast
Chromecast is a device that consumes very little energy, so it can generally be powered using a USB port on our television. However, the USB ports on some low-end televisions are unable to supply the Chromecast with all the power it needs to function.
In these cases it is possible that the Chromecast turns on with apparent normality, but as it does not have enough power, it will not be able to function properly. Solving this is very simple, since the Chromecast includes a small power supply, which you can use to connect the device to the electrical network, if the USB port of your TV is not enough.
Restart your smartphone or computer
It is possible that the problem that you are experiencing is due to the Chromecast, but to the device you use to send content to it, be it your mobile phone or a computer.
In these cases, solving the problem will be as simple as restarting your smartphone or your computer.
Update the apps
Updating the applications you use to send content to your Chromecast can also solve many of the problems that appear on this Google device. It is possible that the version of YouTube or Netflix you are using has some kind of problem, which prevents the Chromecast from working correctly.
You can update these applications in a very simple way, accessing the official Google or Apple application store. You just have to look for the application in question, and the interface will show you if there is an update available.
Try the Chromecast on another TV to rule out a compatibility issue
Chromecast has been designed to work on all televisions, but we still can't rule out a compatibility issue on a particular model. Therefore, if your Chromecast still does not work correctly after having followed all the previous steps, you just have to try it on another TV to see if the problem is solved