Certainly, if Chromecast keeps disconnecting, it defeats its purpose of streaming the best shows from the internet and turning ordinary TVs into smart ones. Lucky for you, there are quick fixes to this issue you can make the most of.
The Chromecast device could suffer from disconnection issues if it has been overused or if the WiFi network itself is problematic. Also, it can keep disconnecting if it’s too old or outdated.
In this guide, we want you to be as informed as possible so you can say that when Chromecast keeps disconnecting, this is how you fix it after reading. In this regard,
we’re showing you all its underlying causes and six proven hacks to DIY.
What causes Chromecast to disconnect?
The sections below dive deeper into the common factors that cause Chromecast to disconnect habitually from your WiFi. More importantly, our recommended solutions to overcome this disconnection issue should see you through with flying colors.
It’s old or outdated.
One simple reason your Chromecast keeps disconnecting from your WiFi network is its age. All devices eventually show signs of aging, and reach a point when they start suffering from various issues frequently.
The same thing is true for your Chromecast device, especially if the model you own is from the first three generations. Various user reports online should be telling.
While a Chromecast device’s age matters, you can extend its lifespan for over two years with proper use and maintenance. As such, you must also consider checking if your Chromecast device is outdated, which can also be the culprit.
As with most devices, using an outdated software version on your Chromecast device will make it prone to more minor issues. After all, software updates are regularly released to keep your Chromecast working correctly without any problems.
It’s overused
Another essential factor to consider is how the Chromecast device was handled and used during its lifetime. In particular, user reports indicate that Chromecast devices stopped working early when being used nonstop.
The WiFi connection is spotty
WiFi issues could explain why your Chromecast keeps disconnecting, and it can stem from either your or your internet provider’s end. The appropriate solutions must be applied to fix the problem on your WiFi network.
Since various reasons can cause your Chromecast device to disconnect from your WiFi network, identifying the root cause is wise. Once found, you can troubleshoot your Chromecast device or WiFi network using the solutions below.
How to Fix Chromecast Keeps Disconnecting
Several troubleshooting tricks can be performed to resolve the disconnection issue your Chromecast device is suffering from. So, the solutions we’ve listed below should properly fix the problem at hand.
FIX 1. Restart your Chromecast device
The first thing we recommend you do is to restart your Chromecast device to allow it to refresh its system memory and reset its current running instance. Performing this simple action should correct any minor issues causing it to keep disconnecting.
Once you’ve restarted your Chromecast device and it has completed its reboot sequence, check and monitor if it can connect to your WiFi network without being disconnected afterward.
There are two ways to restart your Chromecast device: by manually plugging and unplugging it and via the Google Home app.
For the first option, simply unplug your Chromecast device’s wall adapter from the wall outlet. Keep it uplugged for at least 60 seconds before plugging in back in.
The next option is to use the Google Home app on your smartphone to restart the Chromecast device. Here’s how to do it:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Times to Perform Fix | 60 seconds |
| Things Needed | A smartphoneA working internet connectionGoogle Home app |
Step 1: Launch your smartphone’s Google Home app and select your Chromecast device from its home page. |
Step 2: Open your Chromecast device’s settings menu by pressing the gear icon on the upper-right corner of the screen. |
Step 3: Press the kebab menu in the upper-right corner of the device’s settings menu to access more options. |
Step 4: Click the Reboot option to restart your Chromecast device. |
| Step 5: Wait for your Chromecast device to boot back up. |
FIX 2. Reset your WiFi network (router and modem).
If you suspect your WiFi network to be the root cause, resetting it should be the first order of business.
You can reset your network’s WiFi router and modem by performing a soft reset or factory reset. Sometimes, a soft reset is enough to fix minor issues on your WiFi router and modem and restore your internet connection to normal.
Unfortunately, there are cases when a simple soft reset seems to be insufficient and factory resetting your WiFi router and modem is your only option.
| WARNING: Please note that your WiFi router and modem with lose their network settings after performing a factory reset. |
The networking settings of both devices will be restored to their default values and configuration, which you can check in their sticker labels.
Conduct a soft reset on your WiFi router and modem
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 2 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Things Needed | A WiFi modem and routerA PC or smartphoneA working internet connection |
Step 1: Unplug the ethernet and power cables behind your router. |
Step 2: Unplug the ethernet and power cables behind your modem. |
| Step 3: Make sure your WiFi router and modem have shut down completely by keeping them unplugged for at least 2 minutes. |
| Step 4: Plug the ethernet and power cables behind your router. |
| Step 5: Plug the ethernet and power cables behind your modem. |
Step 6: Wait for your WiFi router and modem to boot back up and use a PC or smartphone to test your internet connection on a speed testing site. |
Conduct a factory reset to reset your WiFi router and modem
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 2 minutes |
| Things Needed | A WiFi modem and routerA toothpick/paperclipA PC or SmartphoneA working internet connection |
Step 1: Locate the hole on your WiFi router and modem labeled as “Reset” and insert a toothpick or paperclip to access its factory reset button. |
Step 2: Press and hold the factory reset button using the toothpick or paperclip for 10 seconds to shut down and factory reset your WiFi router and modem. |
| Step 3: Wait for your WiFi router and modem to boot back up after completing the factory reset. |
Step 4: Connect to the default SSID and password written on your WiFi router and modem’s stickers and use a PC or smartphone to test your internet connection. |
FIX 3. Perform a Chromecast factory reset
A simple restart might not fix the disconnection issue on your Chromecast device, which means that you must proceed with a factory reset instead.
| WARNING: Factory resetting your Chromecast device will wipe all of its data and restore everything to its default values. |
Once the factory reset process is over, the setup instructions will be displayed on your TV screen. You need to follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Chromecast device before you can start using it on your TV once again.
You can do the factory reset procedure using the single physical button on these Chromecast devices while they’re plugged into a wall outlet.
Also, note that your Chromecast device doesn’t have to be plugged into your TV when performing the factory reset. The only benefit of plugging your Chromecast device into a TV during this process is that you can monitor its progress.
Here’s how you can factory reset each generation of Chromecast:
Chromecast Gen 1
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | A Gen 1 ChromecastA Chromecast wall adapterA working wall outlet |
Step 1: Plug the wall adapter of your Chromecast device into a wall outlet. |
Step 2: Press and hold the button on your Chromecast device to make its indicator light start blinking orange quickly. |
Step 3: Release the button on your Chromecast device once the indicator light stops blinking orange and turns into a steady white. |
| Step 4: Wait for your Chromecast device to complete the factory reset process. Note: If your Chromecast device is connected to a TV, you can monitor the progress of the factory reset process. |
Chromecast Gen 2
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | A Gen 2 ChromecastA Chromecast wall adapterA working wall outlet |
| Step 1: Plug the wall adapter of your Chromecast device into a wall outlet. |
Step 2: Press and hold the button on your Chromecast device to make its indicator light start blinking orange quickly. |
Step 3: Release the button on your Chromecast device once the indicator light stops blinking orange and turns into a slow-blinking white light. |
| Step 4: Wait for your Chromecast device to complete the factory reset process. Note: If your Chromecast device is connected to a TV, you can monitor the progress of the factory reset process. |
Chromecast Gen 3
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | A Gen 3 ChromecastA Chromecast wall adapterA working wall outlet |
| Step 1: Plug the wall adapter of your Chromecast device into a wall outlet. |
Step 2: Press and hold the button on your Chromecast device to make its indicator light start blinking orange quickly. |
Step 3: Release the button on your Chromecast device once the indicator light stops blinking orange and turns into a slow-blinking white light. |
Step 4: Wait for your Chromecast device to complete the factory reset process. Note: If your Chromecast device is connected to a TV, you can monitor the progress of the factory reset process. |
FIX 4. Update the Chromecast device’s software
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 9 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 2 minutes |
| Things Needed | Outdated Chromecast deviceChromecast wall adapterA TVA smartphoneGoogle Home appA working internet connection |
Outdate Chromecast devices are prone to various issues, including repeated disconnection from the WiFi network. It’s advisable to keep your Chromecast device updated to the latest software version whenever it’s available for download.
Performing a software update is the most effective way to resolve any software-related issues on a Chromecast device. Here’s how to do it:
| Step 1: Launch your smartphone’s Google Home app and select your Chromecast device from its home page. |
| Step 2: Open your Chromecast device’s settings menu by pressing the gear icon on the upper-right corner of the screen. |
Step 3: Click Device Information. |
Step 4: Toggle Automatic firmware updates on. |
Step 5: Check the firmware version of your Chromecast device. |
Step 6: Use the web browser on your smartphone to visit the Chromecast support page and check if your device’s firmware matches the latest version available. |
Step 7: Press the kebab menu in the upper-right corner of the device information menu to access more options. |
| Step 8: Click the Reboot option to restart your Chromecast device. |
| Step 9: Wait for your Chromecast device to reboot and download the latest firmware version during this sequence. Note: You can monitor the download progress on your TV screen. |
FIX 5. Turn off your smartphone’s battery optimization
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 15 seconds |
| Things Needed | An Android smartphone |
Believe it or not, the battery optimization feature on Android phones can prevent your Google Home app from working properly, leading to your Chromecast device to experience various issues.
Since battery optimization is enabled on your smartphone’s apps, you must disable it manually for your Google Home app. Follow these steps to do it:
Step 1: Swipe down on your Android smartphone’s home screen twice to open its quick settings panel. |
Step 2: Click the gear icon to open your Android smartphone’s settings menu. |
Step 3: Use the search bar to find the battery optimization menu. |
Step 4: Select Battery optimization to continue. |
Step 5: Select an app on the list. Note: For this example, we’re showing a different app but the same process should apply with the Google Home app. |
Step 6: Select the Don’t Optimize option and click Done to confirm your action. |
FIX 6. Double-check if you’re using the correct cables
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 1 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 5 to 10 seconds |
| Things Needed | Chromecast cables |
Whenever you’re using your Chromecast device, make sure only to use the cables that were included in its box to avoid any issues from occurring during use. If the power cable of your Chromecast is already broken, only replace it with a compatible cable.
You also need to double-check if you’re using the wall adapter that came with your Chromecast device. If possible, avoid the use of third-party accessories on your Chromecast device as there might be compatibility issues.
What to Do If the Suggested Methods Don’t Resolve the Disconnection Issue with Chromecast
If none of the abovementioned solutions fix the disconnection issue, there are other things you can try to do as well. Below are two extra tips you can try if your Chromecast device still keeps disconnecting from your WiFi network.
Contact Google Support for assistance
Troubleshooting your Chromecast device yourself doesn’t always work out as planned. Instead, rely on Google support to help you address and identify the problem that’s causing your Chromecast device to keep disconnecting.
Please note that Google no longer provides support for generation 1 Chromecast devices. As long as your Chromecast device is generation 2 or higher, you can ask Google support for assistance with your device’s ongoing problems.
Buy a new Chromecast device
Google has already discontinued the production of generation 1, 2, and 3 Chromecast devices because they’re now focusing their attention on the new Chromecast with Google TV models.
While you can still buy the older Chromecast devices in stores such as Amazon, it might be better to move to the newer models. We recommend doing this if you’ve already been using your old Chromecast device for a long time.
Note: Google has stopped support and firmware updates for the generation 1 Chromecast device. It’s only a matter of time until the same happens to the generation 2 and 3 Chromecast devices.
FAQs about Chromecast That Keeps Disconnecting
Can you use Chromecast without a network?
Chromecast can be used without a WiFi internet connection, but it must still be connected to a network. You still need an ethernet cable to a network via a wired connection for Chromecast to be usable.
If you don’t have a WiFi router or modem, you will still need a mobile hotspot or a travel router as an alternative network. Simply put, Chromecast won’t work without the internet.
How do I reset my Chromecast WiFi?
Open your Google Home app, select your Chromecast device, open device settings, and click the forget button beside the WiFi option. From there, you’ll be prompted to reset your Chromecast device and set it up with a new WiFi network.
Will resetting Chromecast delete all my settings and data?
Settings and data are deleted after you perform a factory reset on your Chromecast device. The outcome of this task is permanent, and there’s no way to restore the deleted settings configuration and data.
Will VPN affect my Chromecast’s connectivity and cause disconnection issues?
Google doesn’t recommend using VPN with Chromecast as it’s unsupported. As such, it’s essential to connect your Chromecast device to a WiFi network that doesn’t use VPN to make sure that you can set it up and use it without any issues.
