Chromecast Distorted Video (Causes and How to Fix)

As a Chromecast user, I’ve had my fair share of frustration trying to troubleshoot distorted video. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I’ve solved the problem of distorted video with Chromecast, as well as other solutions I’ve discovered. In this blog post, I’ll go over the various causes of distorted video with a Chromecast and how to fix them.

A Chromecast distorted video can arise when you’re casting tabs or using an old TV. It can also happen due to HDMI port issues and your TV’s quality settings.

Want to know how to fix distorted videos when streaming using Chromecast? Read on to find out more.

Cause	Details	Fix
Casting Tabs	Casting specific tabs may cause distortion	1. Cast full screen
		2. Update Chrome browser
Old TVs	Incompatibility with outdated firmware or HDCP versions	Use a newer TV with HDCP 1.3 or higher
HDMI Port Issues	Loose connection or dirty port may cause distortion	1. Replug Chromecast
		2. Check HDMI connections
Quality Settings	High-quality settings and weak internet connection may cause distortion	1. Change TV resolution to match Chromecast output
		2. Clear cache
		3. Factory reset Chromecast
		4. Power Chromecast from the socket
		5. Reboot Chromecast

Table of Contents

Causes of Chromecast Distorted Video

The common causes of a distorted video in Chromecast are hardware or software issues.

Casting Tabs

Casting lets you screen any tab or screen on your device onto your smart TV. However, casting specific tabs instead of the whole screen can distort the video sometimes.

For example, casting from YouTube can change the original screen size and warp the video’s orientation. You’ll notice the distortion more often if you’re using a phone or laptop to cast the screen.

Another reason why casting tabs can distort the video is that you’ve got an outdated Chrome. Sometimes, updating the Chrome version is enough to fix any casting issues that lead to warped video playback.

Old TVs

Since Chromecast is modern technology, pairing it with an old TV can only introduce issues. Old TVs may not be able to support the minimum requirements for Chromecast to work properly because of their outdated firmware.

To ensure a smooth streaming experience, you’ll need a smart TV that supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 1.3 or higher. Having a TV that’s compliant with HDCP means it’s compatible with Chromecast and other systems like Blu-ray and DVD.

Additionally, you’ll need HDCP 2.2 if you want to stream in 4K or Ultra HD.

The fantastic thing about having newer models of TV is that you’ll be sure to have an HDMI port that can process HDCP 2.2.

HDMI Port Issues

The simplest cause why videos start getting distorted is because of faulty HDMI connections. A loose connection or dirty port can easily disturb your stream.

So, it’s necessary to check your cable connections occasionally. By doing so, you’ll also eliminate other technical issues on your Chromecast.

Quality Settings

Your TV’s quality settings play a large role in Chromecast’s streaming performance. Higher quality settings, paired with a weak internet connection, can easily distort a video.

Sometimes, the distorted video can also appear as if it’s buffering. That’s because the high-quality setting pushes Chromecast and your bandwidth to work harder.

How to Fix Chromecast Distorted Videos

Fixing distorted videos via Chromecast is pretty straightforward. Here are some ways you can remedy the problem.

Replug Chromecast

If the HDMI port is the problem, you can replug the Chromecast to your smart TV. This method may be an easy fix, but it’s not permanent. You may still encounter distorted videos from time to time.

To replug your Chromecast, here’s what you need to do:

Turn off the TV and Chromecast.
Then, remove the TV plug from the socket.
Disconnect the Chromecast plug from the TV.

Wait for a few minutes.
Next, replug the TV’s cable into the power source.
Insert the Chromecast cable back into the HDMI port.

Cast Full Screen

If casting is what makes your videos distorted, one way to solve this is by casting the full screen instead of individual tabs. By doing so, you’ll be mirroring the device’s whole screen rather than from a separate application.

You can cast a device’s full screen using the Google Home application or through Chrome if you’re using a laptop or a computer.

Google Home Application

For Android users, it’s important to check whether your device is in Power Saving Mode. This mode limits Chromecast’s performance and may not fix the distorted video.

To cast using the Google Home app, make sure to install the application on your device. You can get this from Google Play Store or App Store for iOS users.

Connect your Chromecast and device to the same Wi-Fi network.
Then, open the Google Home application.

Press and hold on the tile of your device from the screen.
Finally, tap Cast, and then Cast Screen.

Chrome

The first thing you’ll need to cast from Chrome is Chrome’s latest version. Having updated software makes casting trouble-free.

Ensure that your computer or laptop is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.
Open Chrome on your device.

At the top right corner of the window, click More.
From here, select Cast. A display icon should appear to indicate that you’re mirroring your screen to your TV.

Change Resolution

You can also change the TV’s resolution to match the Chromecast’s output. Typically, this process is automatic, but here’s how you can do it manually:

From your TV, select Settings.
Go to Display and Sounds.
Choose Advanced Display Settings.

Then, click on Resolution.
Finally, choose the most compatible resolution for your device.

Clear the cache

It would also help to try clearing the cache of your Chromecast.

To clear the cache on Chromecast with Google TV, you need to follow these simple steps:

Go to your profile icon and select Settings, then System, then Storage, then Internal shared, storage then Cached data. Select “Clear cached data for all apps,” then click Ok

Factory reset the Chromecast.

As a last resort, you can also try factory resetting the Chromecast.

While the device is plugged into the TV, hold down the power button for around 25 seconds. The device would flash red, then white. Once it flashes white and your TV goes blank, release the button.

Power the Chromecast from the socket

It might be the case that your Chromecast is not receiving enough power. If you are currently powering your Chromecast from the USB socket in your TV, try powering it from the mains instead using the USB to mains adapter that comes with the Chromecast.

Reboot the Chromecast

Often, an easy solution is to simply restart your Chromecast device.

To do this, open the Google Home App, Touch and hold the device’s title, tap settings, more settings then reboot.
Alternatively, you can simply unplug the Chromecast for at least 60 seconds which will reboot the Chromecast.