How Long Do Chromecasts Last? 7 Surprising Facts (2023)

Chromecasts are reliable devices.

But seeing its petite size can make you wonder…

“How long can these small gadgets last?”

Honestly, that question also passed through my head.

I had to find the answer.

And lucky you, I’ll share my discoveries today.

Continue reading to find out:

How many years Chromecasts generally last.
7 surprising facts about the lifespan of Chromecasts.
3 effortless methods to speed up this streaming device.
And this is just the beginning…

How long do Chromecasts last?

Chromecasts last for 2 to 3 years. But they can last longer if you take care of them properly. So if you want to get the most value out of your Chromecast, keep it updated. And don’t use it for more than 8 hours straight.

Chromecast lifespan – 7 facts

#1: Chromecasts have a 1-year warranty

Chromecasts are known to have pretty short lifespans.

See, they only last for 2 to 3 years. And in comparison, other streaming devices like Amazon’s Firestick can reach 5.

Fortunately, all Chromecast models are bound to last for at least a year.

See, if your device malfunctions less than a year after purchasing it…

Then you can give it back to Google’s support. And they’ll repair or replace your gadget for free.

But remember:

Google only gives a warranty to the devices bought from their authorized retailers.

And here are some examples of Chromecast’s authorized stores:

Target.
Walmart.
Best Buy.
Home Depot.
Amazon (online).

With that said, if your Chromecast ever fails while it’s still under warranty…

Prepare these before you send your device for service

Serial number

You can find this at the back of your Chromecast or its box.

Moreover, you can also find this number in your Chromecast settings.

Just follow these steps:

On your TV, tap your profile in the top-right corner.
Head to Settings.
Select System > About.
Click Status.
Tap Serial Number.

Proof of purchase

This is the receipt of your Chromecast.

And it can be in a physical or electric form.

Now, once you have the serial number and the original receipt of your device…

Just do this 1 last thing before you send it for service:

Factory reset your Chromecast

Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Google Home app.
Find the tile of your Chromecast.
Press and hold the tile.
On the upper-right corner, click the Settings icon.
Tap More.
Click Factory reset.
Select Factory reset once more.

#2: Unstable power can shorten the lifespan of Chromecasts

Despite being small, Chromecasts still need to be plugged into their power sources.

Because otherwise, they won’t function.

But did you know that having unstable power can reduce your Chromecast’s lifespan?

See, random low voltage surges or power spikes can damage your streaming device.

And really, this stands true for all your gadgets and appliances.

So if you haven’t measured your house’s voltage recently…

I highly recommend that you do so now.

Because if you want to prolong the life of your devices…

You must have a reliable power source.

With that said, simply follow these easy steps to…

Measure your outlet’s voltage:

Prepare your multimeter.
Set it to measure voltage.
Put the 2 probes into the slots of your outlet.
Wait for your multimeter to get a reading.
Remove the probes from the outlet.

Important: Ensure that you wear safety gloves and footwear during this process. This way, you won’t electrocute yourself accidentally.

Now, bear in mind that in the US, the nominal voltage is 120 V. But they do allow a 5% margin of error. So getting any number from 114 V to 126 V is acceptable.

With that said, if you got a reading within the range mentioned…

Then you can rest assured that your electricity won’t harm your Chromecast.

However, if you got a number lower than 114V or higher than 126V…

Then you need to contact professional electricians. Or your electricity provider to fix this issue.

Because as mentioned…

Using gadgets and appliances at the wrong voltage for long periods will destroy them.

#3: It’s normal for Chromecasts to get hot

I went to my friend’s house last weekend.

And all of a sudden, she unplugged her Chromecast from the TV.

Of course, I asked her what was wrong.

Then she told me she usually does that when her device gets hot.

Now, as a tech expert, I couldn’t help but go into my “tech mode.”

And I had to tell her it’s normal for Chromecasts to get hot.

See, this device, including its power adapter, generates heat while operating.

But rest assured that this is all normal. And its heat is within safety standards.

With that said, even if your Chromecast feels hot to touch…

You shouldn’t worry too much.

Not unless its temperature is starting to affect your device’s productivity. And it starts:

Buffering.
Slowing down.
Freezing frequently.

“My device is experiencing those. What can I do?”

Then, in that case, you need to cool your device down. And to do so, simply follow these…

Tips to cool your Chromecast:

Tip 1: Remove your Chromecast’s case

I used to put a case on my Chromecast because it looked aesthetically pleasing.

But then I realized that my device started getting hotter than before.

So I had to remove its outer case.

That said…

If your Chromecast is overheating and has 1, you should take it off.

This way, your device will be able to cool OFF faster.

Tip 2: Relocate your Chromecast

Move your Chromecast into a more open space.

And this way, it won’t be affected by the heat generated by your TV and other devices.

“But its HDMI cable is too short.”

Then consider buying an HDMI extender. So you can place your Chromecast further.

Tip 3: Use a cell phone cooler

If the previous tips weren’t enough to cool your device…

You may also use a cell phone cooler for your Chromecast.

Now, if you don’t have 1 already…

I highly recommend this cooler by Black Shark. Because it’s quiet but efficient.

And once you have a phone cooler, place it near or on your Chromecast.

Now, of course, just like it’s not good for Chromecasts to be too hot.

You also shouldn’t leave them out in the cold. That’s because…

#4: Chromecasts don’t operate well in extreme temperatures

See, according to Google…

Chromecasts shouldn’t be in an environment hotter than 35°C (95°F) or colder than 0°C (32°F).

See, if your device is in a place that’s too hot or cold…

It’ll be too busy regulating its internal temperatures that it won’t be able to function normally.

That said, your Chromecast will start to have:

Weak connectivity.
Slower response time.
Reduced performance.

So if you accidentally leave your Chromecast in a place with extreme temperatures…

Allow it to rest in a room with a well-regulated temperature before using it again.

#5: Chromecasts can destroy credit cards

Surprise, surprise.

Your cute little Chromecast isn’t as harmless as it looks.

See, it actually holds the power to destroy 1 of your favorite things: your credit card.

And no, this isn’t a joke.

See, Chromecasts negatively interact with magnetic devices.

That’s because they emit an electromagnetic field.

With that said, avoid putting items like these within 2 inches of your Chromecast:

Bank cards.
Measuring device.
Mechanical watch.
Magnetic memory devices.

That’s because the Chromecast will damage the information inside them.

On top of that…

Important: If you have a pacemaker, contact your physician before using a Chromecast.

See, pacemakers and other electronic medical devices also have magnets in them.

And this means that the Chromecast can also stop them from working.

That said, it’s crucial to consult with your physician before using a Chromecast. And ask about the distance needed between magnets and your medical device.

#6: You can use an ethernet connection for your Chromecast

Like any gadget, Chromecasts slow down over time.

And although unfortunate, this is inevitable.

But guess what, I know a trick you can use to make your Chromecast’s Internet faster.

And it’s by connecting it to your router using an ethernet connection.

“But Chromecasts don’t have an ethernet port.”

You’re right.

But luckily, you can buy ethernet adapters that are compatible with Chromecasts.

With that said, if you’ve observed that your Chromecast has been slowing down lately…

You should try connecting it to an ethernet cable. Because a wired connection is always better than a wireless 1.

Interested in knowing more about how Wifi and ethernet differ from each other? Watch this:

You might also want to know: Can a Chromecast Work on Multiple Wi-Fi Networks? The Truth

#7: A slow Chromecast isn’t broken

It’s very common for devices to slow down.

That’s why if your Chromecast is currently slow…

That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s broken or its lifespan is over.

See, there are a lot of ways to improve the speed of your Chromecast.

So before you decide to get rid of it or buy a new 1, try out these…

Simple ways to speed up your slow Chromecast

Method 1: Close other apps

If you’re casting from your phone…

Try to close or force stop other apps that you aren’t using.

Now, the exact steps to do this depend on your phone’s model.

But don’t worry. I’ll go through the tutorial for Android and iOS devices.

And that said, let’s start with…

Closing the apps on your iPhone:

Turn ON your phone.
Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause in the middle.
You’ll see the previews of your apps.
Swipe up the app that you want to close.

Note: For best results, it’s best to close all the other open apps on your device. Except for the 1 you want to cast to your TV.

Closing apps on your Android:

Turn your phone ON.
Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause.
Let go when you see the previews of the apps.
Tap the Clear All on the left.

Note: Exact steps may vary depending on your phone’s model or brand. So if these don’t work for you, refer to your device’s user manual.

Fun fact: You can use a Chromecast without a phone.

Method 2: Lower the resolution of your video

Of course, 4K videos are eye candies.

But if your Internet is slow…

High-quality videos will slow your streaming experience down.

That’s why if your Chromecast tends to load like a snail…

You should lower the resolution of your movies and shows to 720 or 1080p.

Method 3: Improve your Wifi connection

If the previous fix didn’t make your Chromecast load faster…

Then maybe your Internet is the problem.

And in that case, follow these tips to improve your connection:

Place your router away from the window.
Put your router in the middle of the house.
Remove other devices from your Wifi network.
Unplug your router from the outlet and plug it in again.
Connect your Chromecast to the router using an Ethernet cable.

Now, if none of these improved the buffering of your Chromecast…

You should contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). So that they can check if something’s wrong with your router.

You might also be interested: 9 Reasons Why Your Chromecast Only Works With YouTube

How do I know If I need a new Chromecast?

You’ll know if you need a new Chromecast if your device:

Is significantly slow.
Can’t process apps anymore.
Doesn’t turn ON despite trying simple methods to fix it.

But before you decide to go and get a new 1…

I recommend contacting Google support. So that they can give you professional advice on how to proceed.

See, they might tell you a couple more methods to fix your device.

Or they might inform you that your Chromecast already needs replacement.

With that said, you can call them at 1-844-400-2278.

But if you don’t want to contact Google through a call…

Then head to their official support website instead.

Note: Their hours of operation are from 12 AM to 11:59 PM (SGT). And they operate from Wednesday to Friday.