How to Change Your Chromecast to a New Wi-Fi Network

Various casting devices allow you to stream media files from mobile phones and tablets to your TV or PC, but Google Chromecast is one of the most portable devices. You can take it everywhere, but there’s a small catch, it can only remember one Wi-Fi network at a time.

If you take your Chromecast with you or have more than one Wi-Fi source inside the home, you’ll need to regularly change its Wi-Fi. Depending on the reason for the change, the process can be straightforward or a bit tricky.

Two Primary Reasons to Change Wi-Fi Networks

If you’re unsure about whether you should go through the hassle of changing your Wi-Fi network on your Chromecast device, here are some common reasons why this would be necessary.

Reason 1: Network Changes

Usually, the reason to change Chromecast to a new Wi-Fi connection is a simple switch between networks, such as going from broadband to a mobile hotspot or when traveling. The steps are a piece of cake, and all you need to do is ensure that your mobile device is close to the streaming one.

Reason 2: Network is No Longer Active

If the Wi-Fi network to which you connected your Chromecast is not active anymore, things will get a bit tricky. That will happen when you change your router. You’ve set up your Chromecast for the network that doesn’t exist anymore, so your Google Home app on your mobile device won’t be able to recognize it.

There is a solution for both, and this article provides a step-by-step guide to get you up and running again.

Perform a Simple Chromecast Network Switch

If your existing network is active, you’re merely switching Chromecast from one to another. This is also the solution for when you’re having connectivity issues.

Unfortunately, switching networks isn’t as simple as one would think. You’ll need to forget your current network(while connected to that network) and then set it up again.

1. Turn on the television that is connected to your Chromecast device and make sure your smartphone (or tablet) is connected to the internet.
2. Open the Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
3. Tap on your Chromecast device.
   
4. Tap on the Settings cog in the upper right-hand corner.
   
5. Tap on Wi-Fi.
   
6. Tap to confirm that you’d like to forget the current network.
   

Once you’ve followed these steps, you’ll need to reconnect your Chromecast device to the internet. We’ve outlined those steps further below. Keep in mind that the Wi-Fi network on Chromecast needs to match with the one on your phone. If you get the error message, this could be the issue.

Note: If the Wi-Fi option doesn’t appear in the Home App’s settings, you either aren’t connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device, or the TV isn’t on. If you don’t have access to that network, use the following steps to change your network.

Setup Chromecast for New Modem or Router

If you have changed your network, your Android phone or iPhone won’t connect to your Chromecast.

If this is the case, your best bet is to reset Chromecast manually. That will erase the old Wi-Fi network and allow you to use the new one.

The button next to the micro-USB port on Chromecast is the Reset button. Press it and hold it down for 15 seconds.

While you’re holding the button down, the light on the device will flash, so release it when the light stops blinking and remains lit.

Now, your Chromecast will reboot and reset itself to default factory settings. The device erases the old Wi-Fi network, as well as all current settings. Therefore, the setup starts over. Connect Chromecast to the new Wi-Fi network, and you’re all set!

If you’ve forgotten the steps or had someone else do it, follow the guide below.

Set Up Chromecast on Android or iPhone After the Reset

Setting up Chromecast is the same for iPhones and Android phones, and it’s a pretty straightforward process.

1. Plug the Chromecast device into your TV’s HDMI port. Then take the remote and set the input to the one you used for your Chromecast.
   
2. Since you already have the Google Home app installed on your mobile device, tap on the Set up 1 device option on the Home Screen. Choose a Home for your device and hit Next.
   
3. The app searches for wireless devices nearby. After it locates your Chromecast, tap Yes to move on. You’ll see a code on your phone, as well as on your TV screen. Tap Yes again to confirm you can see it, and then follow the prompts.
   
4. Choose a location for your Chromecast. Tap Next and follow the prompts to connect to the new network.
   

Possible Solutions to Failed Chromecast Connection

If you’re facing some difficulties during the setup process, there are a few things you need to check on your Android or iPhone.

Solution 1: Ensure Both Devices are in The Same Network

First, you need to ensure that both Chromecast and your mobile device are on the same Wi-Fi network. To do this, navigate to Settings and choose Wi-Fi.

Keep in mind that you may have multiple networks available, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, so make sure you’re connected to the same frequency.

Solution 2: Ensure Bluetooth is On

Your Bluetooth option also needs to be turned on. To check this, navigate to Setting and choose Bluetooth.

Solution 3: Reconnect to Network

After you’ve made sure that your smartphone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network and that Bluetooth is on, visit Settings again, choose Wi-Fi, and then tap on Chromecast’s open Wi-Fi network to connect to it. Take note that you are not selecting your Wi-Fi router here.

Overall, the Chromecast Wi-Fi setup process depends on whether you’re switching networks or you’ve changed your router or modem. In the first case, the steps are pretty simple. The second scenario requires you to reset the Chromecast and go through the setup process again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Casting with Chromecast should be simple and straightforward, but there’s always more to learn. That’s why we’ve included this section to answer more of your questions.

Can I use a Chromecast without Wi-Fi?

While you can use your Chromecast without a dedicated Wi-Fi connection, you will still need an internet connection. Whether that connection comes from a mobile hotspot or even an ethernet (with an adapter), you’ll need to find some way to connect your Chromecast to the internet.

Fortunately, we have an article here that shows you all of your options.

What do I do when I buy a Chromecast from someone else and need to connect to my WiFi network?

If you’ve purchased, or someone has gifted you, a Chromecast device, you’ll need to set it up for your personal use. The best way to go about using your Chromecast is to start fresh with a factory reset. Depending on the model Chromecast you’re working with, you can follow the steps we mentioned above, or check out this article for a more comprehensive tutorial.