It’s movie night.
You’ve got snacks on the one hand.
With your smartphone on the other.
And you’re trying to cast a film to your Chromecast.
Only for it to get stuck on connecting.
Ugh.
Well, don’t let it spoil your night.
Instead, try the fixes I’ll teach you.
Continue reading to discover:
- How long it should take for Chromecast to connect.
- Reasons why Chromecast can get stuck on connecting.
- 9 effective ways to fix your Chromecast’s connection issue.
- And much much more…
Why Chromecast is stuck on connecting
Chromecast is stuck on connecting because of network issues. Your internet might be unstable. Or your phone and Chromecast aren’t connected to the same WiFi. In addition, the Chromecast or the Google Home app may be glitching. And in some cases, a VPN can also cause this connection problem.
How to fix the Chromecast stuck on connecting issue
#1: Ensure that your phone and Chromecast are using the same WiFi
There are several possible reasons why your Chromecast is stuck on connecting.
But the most common one is the mismatch in internet connection.
What do I mean by that?
Well, for example, your Chromecast is connected to your home WiFi. While the phone you’re trying to cast from is using mobile data.
That’s a mismatch. And it’ll prevent your phone from casting to your Chromecast.
The solution?
Ensure that they’re both using the same WiFi network.
To see which WiFi network your Chromecast is using:
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- Select Devices.
- Tap the 3-dot menu icon beside your Chromecast.
- Select Settings.
- Find the name of the WiFi network it’s connected to.
And then see to it that your phone’s using the same network.
You might also want to know: Can a Chromecast Work on Multiple Wi-Fi Networks? The Truth
#2: Move your phone closer to your Chromecast
Distance also matters when casting from your phone to Chromecast.
If they’re too far apart, you’ll have many connection problems.
So ensure that the Chromecast and your phone are close while trying to cast. Ideally, within 30 feet or 10 meters.
And move closer if you’re still getting a connection error.
Now, after your phone’s content successfully casts to the Chromecast…
You may then move your phone back. Your phone and Chromecast’s proximity won’t matter by that point.
#3: Power cycle your smartphone and your Chromecast
A glitch in either your Chromecast or phone can also cause connection issues.
And an easy but effective solution is to perform a power cycle. In other words, just restart your Chromecast and phone.
These are the steps to power cycle a Chromecast:
Step #1: Unplug the Chromecast from its power source. Whether it’s from the TV’s USB port or a wall outlet.
Step #2: Unplug the Chromecast from the TV’s HDMI port.
Step #3: Wait for 1 to 2 minutes.
Step #4: Plug the Chromecast back into the HDMI port.
Step#5: Connect the Chromecast back to its power source.
As for your phone, just press and hold the power button. Its location varies per model. But it’s usually on the side.
And after a minute, turn your phone back on. You may then retry casting from your phone to your Chromecast.
#4: Restart your WiFi
Slow or unstable internet can also keep your Chromecast stuck on connecting.
So check your WiFi’s download speed via Speedtest. Just open that site using any device that’s connected to the same WiFi as your Chromecast.
And if your download speed’s slower than usual…
Restart your modem and router. It’s the fastest way to resolve internet connection issues.
To restart, just unplug both from the outlet. And after 30 seconds to a minute, plug them back in.
#5: Try to cast from another app
Now, your Chromecast and phone may be fine. And so is your internet.
But the app you’re trying to cast from is actually the one with the problem.
So how can you verify if that’s the case?
Try to cast from another app.
Let’s say your Chromecast is stuck on connecting while you’re trying to cast from Netflix.
What you should do is open another app. It can be another streaming service like Prime Video or Spotify. Or an app like Youtube.
Then, open a media file, such as a song or a video, from your chosen app. And click the cast icon.
If the media file plays on Chromecast successfully…
Then at least you’d know that the problem’s with the previous app. And not with your device.
#6: Check if the app you’re casting from is down
This is in connection with the previous fix.
So you’ve verified that Chromecast is stuck on connecting due to a problematic app.
To further diagnose the issue with that application…
Check if it’s down. There’s a website called Down Detector where you can do that.
Here’s how to verify the outage status of a streaming service using Down Detector:
Step #1: Open a web browser from your phone or laptop.
Step #2: Go to Down Detector’s official site.
Step #3: Type in the app’s name in the search bar.
For example, you’d like to check on the status of HBO Max. So you simply type “HBO Max” on Down Detector’s search bar. Then press the search icon.
You should then see the outage status of the streaming service.
And if it’s really experiencing some interruptions…
All you have to do is wait for the service to get back up.
In the meantime, you may just try to cast from a different app.
#7: Delete and then reinstall the app you’re casting from
Now, if the streaming service you’re casting from isn’t down…
Then it’s likely an app malfunction.
So a fix for that would be to close the app. And then re-launch it.
But if you’re still not able to cast from it…
Then delete the app. And then reinstall it.
How to delete and reinstall an app on iOS
- From the iOS home screen, press and hold the app to delete.
- Tap Remove App.
- Select Delete App to confirm.
- Restart your phone.
- After restarting, launch the App Store.
- Search for the app you just deleted.
- Click the Get icon beside the app.
How to delete and reinstall an app on Android
- Launch the Google Play Store app on your phone.
- Select your Profile icon.
- Select Manage apps & devices.
- Tap Manage.
- Look for the app to delete.
- Tap Uninstall.
- Restart your phone.
- Open the Play Store app again.
- Find the app that you uninstalled.
- Click the Install button.
#8: Disable your phone’s VPN
Do you happen to be using a Virtual Private Network on your phone?
I mean, I understand it can help in browsing anonymously. And in bypassing geo-restrictions on certain apps.
However, since a VPN modifies your WiFi…
It can also cause connection problems. And it could be the reason why your Chromecast is stuck on connecting.
In fact, based on many user reports…
A certain VPN service called AdBlock turned out to be the cause of their Chromecast issues.
And simply turning that off instantly resolved their problems.
So if you’re using a VPN, whether it’s AdBlock or some other service…
Switch it off before casting to Chromecast. You may just turn it back on immediately after you’ve successfully cast.
Not sure how to disable your VPN?
No worries. Just watch this short video on how to do it:
#9: Update your Chromecast and Google Home app
Now, here’s another likely reason for your Chromecast getting stuck on connecting:
Your Chromecast or Google Home app is outdated. In fact, it’s even likely that both of them are out of date.
So check for any updates for both. And install them if they’re available. That way, your Chromecast and Google Home app should work like they’re supposed to.
How to update your Chromecast
- Press your Chromecast remote’s Home button.
- Select Settings.
- Click System followed by About.
- Select System Update.
Note: The steps above only apply to Chromecast with Google Play. If you own an older version of Chromecast, just connect it to WiFi. And it should receive updates automatically.
How to update the Google Home app on iOS
- Launch the App Store on your phone.
- From there, find the Google Home app.
- Tap the Update button beside the app.
How to update the Google Home app on Android
- Open the Play Store app on your phone.
- Select your profile icon.
- Select Manage apps & devices.
- Look for the Google Home app and tap Update.
Bonus: Contact Chromecast’s tech support team
Is your Chromecast still stuck on connecting?
If so, there’s likely an issue with the device itself.
And your best option at this point is to contact Chromecast’s support team.
You may call them at 1-844-400-2278. They’re available 24/7.
In addition, you may also reach out to them via chat on this page.
Ensure that you sign in to your Google account before chatting with an agent. This is so they can verify your identity.
How long does it take Chromecast to connect?
It only takes a second or 2 for Chromecast to connect. Just tap the cast icon from a streaming app. Then select your Chromecast device. And the app should begin casting to your TV or monitor instantly. If it’s taking longer than a few seconds, there’s likely an issue with your WiFi connection.