How to Chromecast From a Laptop or PC Screen to TV

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Cast your PC screen with Chromecast
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Once you set up a Chromecast connection, you can stream videos, visit web pages, or play games while mirroring your computer on your TV screen. You'll just need to use the Google Chrome browser. This wikiHow teaches you how to connect Chromecast to a Windows PC or Mac computer.

Quick Steps

  1. Connect your Chromecast and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open Google Chrome.
  3. Click ⋮ .
  4. Click Cast, save, and share .
  5. Click Cast…
  6. Click your Chromecast device.
Section 1 of 2:

Casting from Your Computer

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  1. Make sure your computer and your Chromecast device are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    • If you connect to different networks, you won't be able to cast content from your computer to Chromecast.
    • This method works for both Windows and Mac computers.
  2. If you don't have Google Chrome installed on your computer, you can download the setup from the official website .
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  3. This button is next to the address bar in the upper-right corner of Google Chrome. It will open your browser menu.
    • Alternatively, if you're on a Chromecast-supported player, like Netflix or YouTube, click the Cast icon in the player. Casting from a supported player means the content will display with better quality, put less work on your computer, and play independently of the Chrome browser.
  4. More options will open.
  5. This is the first option.
    • This will open a pop-up box titled "Cast" in the upper-right corner and scan your Wi-Fi network for available Chromecast devices.
    • If you cast a tab this way, Chrome must stay open for the Cast to work properly.
    • To cast your entire screen instead of just a tab in Chrome, select Sources , and then select Cast Screen .
    • If you want to cast music or other audio, open it in Chrome (on a blank tab, press Ctrl + O to open it on Windows and Cmd + O on Mac), and then open the Cast menu again.
  6. Your computer's content will now replace what's on your TV. You can now stream videos, visit web pages, and play games in your browser, and mirror all of it on your TV.
    • For faster Cast access, right-click the Cast icon in your Toolbar and select Always show icon . [1]
    • Click the Cast icon and select Stop casting in Chrome's toolbar to stop casting.
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Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting Casting

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  1. Your Cast button can be hidden for different reasons, so use these fixes:
    • Update your Chrome web browser .
    • Make sure your computer/laptop is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. If you switched to a new Wi-Fi on your computer/laptop, use the Google Home app on your smartphone to change the Wi-Fi that the Chromecast device connects to.
    • Check the overflow area. You can have enough extensions that the Cast button appears in the overflow area instead of your address bar. Use the three-dot menu to access the Cast button. You can also right-click it and select Always show icon so you don't have to go through the menu in the future.
    • Resetting Chrome can make the Cast button disappear. If you reset your browser to factory settings, you might need to repin the Cast button to your Toolbar.
    • Check if someone removed it. It's easy to remove, but you can just as easily restore it from the three-dot menu by selecting Cast, save, and share > Cast . [2]
  2. You'll need to perform a few troubleshooting steps in order to fix this error.
    • Reboot the Chromecast device. The software in the Chromecast might be glitching, so turn it off and back on.
    • Use the Google Home app on your Android or iOS to make sure the Chromecast device is set up properly .
    • Try to Cast from a Chromecast-supported app, like Netflix, or YouTube.
    • Reboot your computer. The Chromecast might be working, but your computer or laptop could be glitched! Restart it to see if your Cast works.
    • Make sure both your computer and Chromecast device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
    • Update your Chrome web browser.
    • Disconnect from any VPN services .
    • Make sure your firewall isn't preventing access to the Chromecast device.
  3. If you're not casting your entire screen, there are a few fixes you can try.
    • Make sure you have the option selected in the Cast menu. Click ⋮ > Cast, save, and share > Cast… > Sources > Cast Screen .
    • Check if the Zoom is set at 100%. Click ⋮ > Zoom . If necessary, click the minus or plus sign to change the zoom percentage.
    • Check your TV or monitor's aspect ratio and make sure it's set to the recommended option.
  4. If you don't hear any sound on your TV or monitor, do the following:
    • Check your computer's volume options. Make sure that volume is enabled, and increase it if necessary.
    • Check the volume on your TV. Toggle Mute off and on. Raise the volume to the max if necessary.
    • If you're casting YouTube, Netflix, or another service with an independent video player, make sure the player's mute button is off.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I plug Chromecast into my TV?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Your TV will need an HDMI output. Plug the HDMI cable on your Chromecast into the HDMI output on your TV.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332?hl=en-SG&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6279412?hl=en

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