Chromecast Green Screen (Causes and How to Fix)

As an owner of a Chromecast streaming device, I was recently frustrated to find my device stuck on a never-ending green screen. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the issue and some other solutions I discovered along the way. In this blog post, I’ll explain the causes of Chromecast Green Screen and how to fix it.

Chromecast green screen can happen because of an HDMI handshake issue, existing bugs, or incompatible resolution.

Causes of Chromecast Green Screen	How to Fix Chromecast Green Screen
HDMI Handshake Issue	Reboot Chromecast (Google Home App, Power Source, Google TV)
Existing Bugs	Allow HDR Matching
Incompatible Resolution	Change Resolution
	Update Chromecast
	Clear the cache
	Factory reset the Chromecast
	Power the Chromecast from the socket
	Contact Google Support

Table of Contents

Causes of Chromecast Green Screen

With any device, issues can lie within cable connections or device settings. For Chromecast, connections and device incompatibilities are two of the most common causes of a green screen.

HDMI Handshake Issue

When an HDMI cable connects to another device, they exchange information that allows you to see video transmission. We call this process a “handshake.”

You’ll know that this handshake is successful when you see videos on the screen. However, there can be a handshake issue when devices are incompatible, leading to a green screen.

For example, connecting your Chromecast to a TV may fail because the connection doesn’t follow the HDMI handshake protocol. That usually means your device isn’t modern enough to support the HDMI connection.

The same failure can also happen when you connect your Chromecast with a different device, such as a laptop or computer.

Existing Bugs

Existing bugs can lead to a green screen and other similar problems. Much like many other technologies, Chromecast needs constant updating. This way, you can enjoy the latest features and maximize their use.

Of course, even if there’s a new update, there’s no guarantee that the software will work fine all the time. That’s why constant updating can also result in buggy software.

For Chromecast, a small bug in the system can be the difference between a functional screen and a green screen. Lucky for you, bugs like this have easy fixes. Plus, developers usually solve them quickly.

Incompatible Resolution

TVs typically have a standard refresh rate that determines the times your screen refreshes every second.

Most TVs in the market either have a 60 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate, but there are still some that only have 50 Hz. The lower refresh rates are more common in European and Asian countries.

Chromecast is compatible with TVs that at least have a 60 Hz refresh rate. So, if you have a screen with a lower refresh rate, chances are there will be an incompatible resolution.

If Chromecast’s output is set at 60 Hz, a device with a 50 Hz refresh rate can lead to a green screen. Sometimes, Chromecast will also automatically adjust your TV’s refresh rate to correct the problem. However, this option doesn’t apply to most users.

So, it’s important to check if your TV has a compatible resolution with Chromecast to avoid green screen problems.

How to Fix Chromecast Green Screen

Fixing your Chromecast can be as easy as rebooting it, but sometimes, you’ll have to play with the display and resolution settings.

Here are a few things you can do:

Reboot Chromecast

A short rebooting of the software can fix the problem at hand. Depending on what system you have, you can reboot your Chromecast from the Google Home app, the power source, or your Google TV.

Google Home App

To reboot using the Google Home application, here’s what you need to do:

Link your Chromecast and device with the same account.
Find the Google Home app.

Look for your device.
Then, press and hold on your device’s name.
Select settings, more settings, and then reboot.

Power Source

The next method involves a simple unplugging from the socket. This process isn’t the same as unplugging the Chromecast from the HDMI port.

Here’s how to do it properly:

Locate your Chromecast’s plug.

Unplug the power cable from the socket.
Leave it unplugged for the next minute or so.
Plug the cable in again.

Google TV

Allow HDR Matching

High Dynamic Range (HDR) matching can be the key to fixing your green screen issue. Take a look at how to allow HDR matching:

Locate and select the Chromecast Settings.
Choose Display and Sound.

Press on Match Content.
Toggle the “Match content dynamic range” button.

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.

Update Chromecast

The first troubleshooting option is to update Chromecast. You can do this either do it automatically or manually.

The first time you set up Chromecast already prompts an automatic update. However, some versions may reach other softwares later, which delays some of the updates.

To check whether Chromecast has the latest version, follow these easy steps:

First, check the latest firmware version of your Chromecast.

Make sure that your device and Chromecast are on the same internet connection.
Next, open the Google Home application and look for your Chromecast device.
Then, open the device settings by clicking on the gear icon.

Scroll down until you see which version is on your device. If it’s the same as the one on the App Store, then your device is up-to-date.
However, if they’re different, go back to the device settings and click on the three dots.
From the pop-up window, click on Reboot. This process will shut Chromecast off and install the latest firmware.

Finally, check whether the newly installed firmware is the newest version.

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.

Contact Google Support

As always, there’s Google Support as your last resort. Simply send them a message about your Chromecast problem, and you’ll surely get a more detailed solution.