Chromecast is one device that works with minimal issues but just like electronics, it can develop an issue at any time. For example, If you try to connect your Chromecast for streaming but then you could not communicate with your Chromecast to establish the connection; it’s an issue.
To resolve this issue, simply rebooting the Chromecast and your router is one way to resolve the issue but then, it could also not work. You have to try out other methods such as resetting your Chromecast, troubleshooting it, and checking for possible issues under settings.
In this article, I’ll be walking you through the ways to fix problems with your Chromecast as well as different methods of resetting your Chromecast and how to set up/connect and use Chromecast for streaming.
To start with, what is Chromecast all about?
Chromecast – What does it mean?
Chromecast is a unique device from Google that enables you to stream content from your phone or PC by connecting a TV or monitor using an HDMI port. This allows you to cast almost anything to your TV or big screen and view it in higher resolution.
The good thing about Chromecast is that it allows wireless connection and does not demand any fee or subscription renewal. Only the initial purchase price of the device is the only payment to be made on it. However, if you’re using Chromecast with a premium streaming service like Netflix, you’ll have to pay for a Netflix subscription.
While trying to connect your Chromecast to a big screen, you may experience communication issues like ‘your TV could not communicate with Chromecast or cannot reconnect Chromecast to my phone. Though you have connected it before somehow you mistakenly delete it. You try to reconnect again but you’re getting the error message ‘could not communicate with your Chromecast. Here’s what you should do.
Initial checklist
1. Check if Chromecast is powered on and plugged into an electric socket.
2. Check the LED light on the side of the Chromecast device; it should on white.
3. Ensure you’re using the correct password. Try inputting the password again to confirm
4. If you’re connecting via an Android or IOS device, ensure you’re using an updated version of the official Google Home app. If you’re not, simply open play store and update it.
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5. Ensure the Chromecast device is within 15 – 20 ft. of the mobile device or tablet you’re using to set it up.
6. Check if there have been any recent changes to your network; if not, try to confirm if the Chromecast device has once been connected to this network before.
7. Has there been any change to your modem or router maybe from your Internet service provider?
8. Ensure your mobile devices and Chromecast are connected to the same WiFi network.
After you have checked all this and you can figure out what the issue is, try these fixing methods below:
Could not communicate with your Chromecast – Fixes
1. Reboot your router and Chromecast device.
Reboot your router: To do this, just unplug the power source, wait for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in to reboot.
Reboot Chromecast by unplugging the power cable, wait for a few seconds, then reconnect it back to the Chromecast device.
While doing this, take note of the following:
- Ensure your Chromecast is within 15-20 ft (4-6 m) away from the Wi-Fi router. If you’re using a dual-band router, try to set up your device on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
- Ensure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both turned ON; (on your phone or tablet).
- Turn OFF mobile/cellular data.
- Ensure you’re using an updated version of the Google Home app. To confirm this, launch your app store to check if there’s any update; if there’s any, install it.
In addition, restart the Google Home app. This is as simple as closing the app and reopening it.
After the Chromecast and router are done rebooting, reopen the Google Home app and try to connect. If it doesn’t still work this time, check out these troubleshooting methods below.
2. Troubleshoot your Chromecast connection
Here are a few things you may notice if your Chromecast isn’t ready to connect;
- The LED light on your Chromecast is blinking.
- The TV says your Chromecast is offline.
- Your Chromecast is not discoverable in the Google Home app.
- The Google Home app says your Chromecast is offline.
To improve your Chromecast connection and performance, try these steps:
1. Ensure your mobile devices and Chromecast are connected to the same WiFi network.
Check your Chromecast Wi-Fi network.
If you have a Chromecast with Google TV, Select your account icon and then settings, then Network & internet at the top right of your TV screen, select your account icon and then select Settings and then Network & Internet.
If you’re using a Chromecast model, Open the Google Home app on your mobile device, then touch and hold your Chromecast’s tile > Settings > Device information > Wi-Fi.
You can also check the Wi-Fi network of your mobile device in its Settings app.
2. If you’re using a dual-band router, try to set up your device on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
3. Update your router’s firmware when necessary to ensure it is free from bugs. Update its software regularly.
4. Reset your Chromecast by unplugging it and waiting 30 seconds before reinserting the power cord. Also, reset your modem or router
5. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Chromecast to your router. This means a direct connection to the internet.
6. Check that your wireless network if it supports the number of devices connected to it. If you’ve connected too many devices, you may need to set up a mesh network for a better wireless network coverage experience.
7. Ensure your router is 15 – 20 feet away from your Chromecast.
After trying out all these fixing steps, try to connect your Chromecast again. If it’s still not connecting, then it’s time to factory reset your Chromecast. This takes us to the third fixing method for “could not communicate with your Chromecast”
3. Factory Reset Chromecast
A factory reset Chromecast means resetting all settings back to their default factory settings. This step will clear all the Chromecast data and can’t be undone.
Here is how to factory reset Chromecast; you can use any of the methods below:
Reset Chromecast with Google TV
Reset with the Chromecast Voice Remote
1. At the top right corner of your TV screen, select your profile, and then Settings
2. Select System > About > Factory Reset.
Reset from the Chromecast device
1. While the Chromecast is connected to the TV and powered on, press then hold down the button on the back of the Chromecast device until the LED start to blink yellow.
2. When the LED light turns solid white, release the button; then you have to reset the Chromecast.
Reset Chromecast (2nd gen), Chromecast (3rd gen), or Chromecast Ultra
Reset From the Google Home app
Note: This option is only available if you still have access to the network your Chromecast was set up on.
1. Launch the Google Home app on your phone
2. Touch and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap Settings, then More menu > Factory reset. The settings icon is usually located at the top right side of your screen
Reset from the Chromecast device
While the Chromecast is connected to the TV, hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast until it begins to blink orange.
When the LED light turns white, release the button; then you have to reset the Chromecast. It should then restart.
Reset Chromecast (1st gen)
Reset From the Google Home app
Note: This option is only available if you still have access to the network your Chromecast was set up on.
1. Launch the Google Home app on your phone.
2. Touch and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap Settings, and then More menu > Factory reset, and then Factory reset. The settings icon is usually located at the top right side of your screen
Reset from the Chromecast device
While the Chromecast is connected to the TV, hold down the button on the Chromecast device for a minimum of 25 seconds or until the solid LED light blinks red.
When the LED light blinks white and the TV goes blank, release the button; then you have to reset the Chromecast. It should then restart.
How to Connect and use a Google Chromecast device
Here’s how to setup/connect a Chromecast device:
Steps:
1. Connect the Chromecast to a power source,
2. Plug it (the Chromecast) into an HDMI port on the TV you want to use.
2. Switch on the TV and ensure it’s tuned to the right HDMI channel (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.).
3. Download the “Google Home app” on your mobile device, and set up Chromecast as a new device. Ensure that Bluetooth is ON (on your mobile device).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup your Chromecast.
After doing this, your Chromecast can now be used for streaming/casting. The next thing now is the mobile device you’ll be casting from. If you’re using a mobile phone or tablet, here’s how to do the casting with your Chromecast;
1. Open the streaming service you want to use on your mobile device or tablet (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc.)
2. When the show/movie begins, tap the “casting icon” at the corner of the screen to stream the movie/show to your TV.
Note: You may have to select your Chromecast from a list. Simply check for what you named it during setup.
If you’re using a computer,
1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of your screen.
3. A drop-down menu appears. From the drop-down menu, click “Cast”.
4. It will search for all the Chromecast devices in the area. Select yours, and your browser will show on the Chromecast’s screen.
You can now enjoy viewing all your favorite shows/ movies on a higher resolution screen. You only need a TV HDMI port, a Wi-Fi connection, and a Chromecast device.
FAQs
Why is my phone not connecting to Chromecast?
Your phone isn’t connecting to Chromecast because your device’s Bluetooth is switched off or your mobile device and Chromecast are not connected to the same Wi-Fi/router. To resolve this, go to your device settings, turn on Bluetooth and ensure your mobile device is connected to the same router as your Chromecast.
If it doesn’t work, try to factory reset the Chromecast.
How do I reset my Chromecast?
To reset your Chromecast device, follow these steps;
1. While the Chromecast is connected to the TV and powered on, press then hold down the button on the back of the Chromecast device until the LED start to blink yellow.
2. When the LED light turns solid white, release the button; then you have to reset the Chromecast.
In a Nutshell
There are many reasons you could not communicate with your Chromecast. It includes:
- Chromecast is powered off on the electric socket.
- Chromecast is not discoverable in the Google Home app
- The LED light on your Chromecast is blinking.
- You entered the wrong login password on your Google home app
- You’re using an outdated version of the Google home app.
- Your mobile devices and Chromecast are not connected on the same WiFi network
There are the reasons you may be finding it hard to communicate with your Chromecast. However, this article has listed various fixing methods. They are;
1. Reboot your Router and Chromecast device: This means you turn off and on your Chromecast device, same also for the router.
2. Troubleshoot your Chromecast Connection: This means you should check for any possible issue on the router/ Wifi, and then fix it if necessary to enable the Chromecast connection.
3. Factory reset Chromecast: This means you’re deleting every data on the Chromecast device and restoring every setting to its default.
If you could not communicate with your Chromecast to establish connection and stream contents from your mobile devices, try out these fixing methods. They are sure to resolve your Chromecast problems.
I hope you find this article helpful.
