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Chromecast Keeps Disconnecting From Youtube

As a frustrated Chromecast owner, I want to share my experience with an issue I’ve been dealing with: Chromecast keeps disconnecting from YouTube. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the issue and provide other possible solutions I discovered.

This issue can be due to different reasons, such as battery-saving features, but don’t worry. You can fix this problem by uninstalling updates, clearing the cache, or simply turning off some default features.

IssueSolution
Clear Cache and DataGo to Settings > Apps > All Apps List > Youtube > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Restart your phone.
Uninstall UpdatesUninstall updates for Youtube in the phone settings, remove and reinstall the app.
Combined SolutionTurn off Chromecast and Wifi router, clear cache and data, uninstall updates, and retry casting.
Unmonitored YoutubeGo to Settings > Battery Management > Unmonitored Apps > Add App > Youtube.
WiFi Always OnSet “Keep WiFi On During Sleep” to “Always on” in WiFi settings.
Disable Advanced Network SwitchTurn off “Smart Network Switch” in WiFi settings.
Reboot the ChromecastUse the Google Home App or unplug the Chromecast for at least 60 seconds to reboot.
Clear the cache on Chromecast with Google TVGo to Settings > System > Storage > Internal shared storage > Cached data > Clear cached data for all apps.
Factory reset the ChromecastHold down the power button for around 25 seconds while the device is plugged into the TV.

Why Does Chromecast Keep Disconnecting From Youtube?

To discuss the reasons behind this issue, we must first understand how your Chromecast connects to Youtube.

It’s important to know that when your phone is connected to Chromecast, you don’t need to keep the phone close. Instead, the connection should remain steady until you terminate it yourself.

To keep the connection steady, both the Chromecast and the phone send data packets back and forth, just like how clients and servers remain in contact. These data packets allow you to control the volume, pause, or change the video altogether.

That being said, the connection will typically be terminated if one of the devices gets disconnected.

The first sign of a problem is when your phone loses control over the volume of the Youtube video you’re casting on Chromecast. This indicates that the phone has lost connection with the Chromecast dongle, which happens even with the steadiest WIFI connection.

The leading cause of this problem is either the data limits or the battery-saving features, which are enhanced in every update. These battery-saving features aim primarily at keeping the battery running for the longest time possible to accommodate the battery-draining hardware of modern phones.

Six Bulletproof Solutions for the Disconnection Between Chromecast and Youtube

As we’ve discussed earlier, your phone’s preinstalled battery-saving features can be the main cause of the problem. However, it’s not the only reason. That’s why we’ve provided several solutions to solve the problem, regardless of the cause.

Before we start with the solutions, you should know that the steps may vary according to the type and model of your phone. Here, we’ve used the most basic settings available in most modern Android phones.

Here’s a list of solutions to fix the issue and keep a steady connection between Chromecast and Youtube.

  1. Clear Cache and Data
  1. Open “Apps” from “Settings.”
  2. Go to “All Apps List.”
  3. Scroll down the list until you find Youtube.
  4. Click on it.
  5. Select “Storage.”
  6. Tap on “Clear Cache and Clear Data”
  7. Restart your phone.
  8. Try casting again.

2. Uninstall Updates

  1. Go to “Settings”
  2. Choose “Youtube” from “Apps”
  3. Tap on the three dots menu button on the top right side
  4. Select “Uninstall Updates.”
  5. Restart the phone.
  6. Remove the “Youtube” app from your phone.
  7. Re-install the latest version of Youtube.
  8. Try casting a Youtube video with Chromecast.

3. Combined Solution

This solution combines the first two solutions mentioned above. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Turn Chromecast off.
  2. Turn off your Wifi router.
  3. Clear the cache and data as in the first solution.
  4. Uninstall updates as in the second solution.
  5. Turn your router back on.
  6. Switch on your Chromecast dongle.
  7. Retry casting a Youtube video from your phone onto Chromecast.

4. Unmonitored Youtube

  1. Go to “Settings”
  2. Navigate to “Battery Management”
  3. Open “Unmonitored Apps.”
  4. Select “Add App.”
  5. Choose “Youtube” from the list provided.
  6. In case you don’t see “Youtube” on the list, go to “Battery Management” > “Advanced Settings.” Then, turn off “App Power Monitor.”

In some Android phones, the “App Monitor Power” may have a different name. The feature might be called “Background Battery Usage,” “Battery Saver,” “Battery Usage,” “App Monitor,” or “Adaptive Battery. “

5. WiFi Always On

  1. In your phone settings, navigate to “Connections.”
  2. Open “WIFI.”
  3. Tap on “Advanced”
  4. Find “Keep WIFI On During Sleep” and set it to “Always on.”

This way, you prevent the WIFI from turning off even if your phone is on sleep mode. This feature is on by default in most phones. It should prevent any disconnection between the phone and your Chromecast dongle.

6. Disable Advanced Network Switch

  1. From your phone settings, go to “Connections.”
  2. Open “WIFI.”
  3. Go to “Advanced Options”
  4. Turn off “Smart Network Switch.”

This feature allows your phone to switch between WIFI and mobile data to ensure you get the strongest connection. It’s turned on by default in some models. However, it only works when you have both data and WIFI on. This means that whenever your phone toggles between connections, you lose the connection with 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.

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:

  1. 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

Read more: Can I connect Chromecast to USB?

Conclusion

It’s common that your Chromecast keeps disconnecting from Youtube. This can be due to the battery-saving features, among other things. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to solve this problem. You can turn off the “Smart Network Switch” or the “App Power Monitor” features.

Read more: Does Chromecast need to be charged?

You can also uninstall updates, clear cache, or set up your phone to keep your WIFI on even when your phone goes into sleep mode.