As an owner of a Chromecast device, I know how frustrating it can be when the volume suddenly becomes too low to enjoy. I recently encountered this issue and, after doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the problem as well as some other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing the potential causes of Chromecast low volume and how to fix it.
A problem with the HDMI or USB connection may cause low volume while casting. This can also happen if the volume settings on your TV or Chromecast aren’t properly adjusted.
Continue reading to learn more about the causes of a low-volume Chromecast and how to fix it!
| Issue/Cause | Description | Troubleshooting Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Settings Need Adjusting | The volume on your TV or the Chromecast app might be set incorrectly. | 1. Check the volume settings in the Google Home app. |
| 2. Check the volume of other devices connected to your TV. | ||
| 3. Reset the TV’s volume if necessary. | ||
| HDMI Connection Issue | A faulty HDMI connection could cause low volume or no volume at all. | 1. Ensure the Chromecast is properly inserted into the HDMI port. |
| 2. Try using another HDMI port on your TV. | ||
| 3. Test with a different HDMI cable. | ||
| Insufficient Power Supply | The TV’s USB port might not provide enough power to the Chromecast, causing inconsistent operation and low volume. | 1. Remove the Chromecast from the TV’s USB port and plug it into an external power source. |
| 2. Note that Chromecast with Google TV requires an external power source. | ||
| Restart the Stream Source | Audio issues may be caused by a glitch in your Chromecast. | 1. Stop the media you’re playing. |
| 2. Force the app to close. | ||
| 3. Disconnect your device from the Chromecast. | ||
| 4. Reconnect to the Chromecast and restart the media. | ||
| Reboot Your Chromecast Device | The Chromecast device might be buggy and needs rebooting. | 1. Open the Google Home app. |
| 2. Choose your device and tap “Settings.” | ||
| 3. Tap the “More” button and select “Reboot.” | ||
| Factory Reset Your Chromecast | A factory reset could help fix the low volume issue. | 1. Factory reset from the app: Open Google Home app, choose your device, tap “Settings,” tap the “More” button, and select “Factory Reset.” |
| 2. Factory reset from the device: Hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast while it’s plugged in, continue pressing until the LED blinks orange, and wait for the light to turn white before releasing the button. | ||
| Clear the Cache | Clearing the cache on your Chromecast can help resolve the low volume issue. | 1. For Chromecast with Google TV: Go to your profile icon, select Settings, System, Storage, Internal shared storage, Cached data, and select “Clear cached data for all apps,” then click Ok. |
Why Is My Chromecast’s Volume So Low?
It’s always preferable to understand the underlying cause of a problem before attempting to resolve it. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of three of the most common causes of low volume on Chromecast.
Volume Settings Need Adjusting
Some may find this reason obvious, but it should never be overlooked. To clarify, you could have the volume on your TV and the Chromecast app set incorrectly. Therefore, we’ll go over how to check the volume levels on both below.
Aside from that, many TV models now have the option to disable their sound to use an external sound system.
If you have that type, simply disable this feature while using Chromecast. In case you don’t know how, try resetting the TV to default or factory settings, which should restore the internal speakers.
HDMI Connection Issue
Another frequent reason for low volume, or no volume at all, is a faulty HDMI connection. To begin, the Chromecast may not be properly inserted into the TV’s HDMI port and requires a gentle push.
Another possibility is that either the Chromecast’s HDMI cable or the port on your TV is damaged. You should run a quick test to check if the problem is in one of them.
You can see if plugging the Chromecast into another HDMI port helps. Similarly, try a different HDMI cable and see how that works.
Insufficient Power Supply
For power supply, we usually connect the Chromecast’s USB cable to the TV’s USB port. Yet, if the TV doesn’t provide enough power to the Chromecast, it’ll operate inconsistently.
This can have an impact on both the sound and the visuals. In that case, simply remove it from the TV’s USB port and plug it into an external power source.
However, that’s not an issue with the most recent Chromecast model: Chromecast with Google TV.
Unlike older versions, this model can’t be powered by the TV’s USB port. It requires a lot more power and must be plugged into an external outlet or it’ll display an error message.
How to Fix Chromecast’s Low Volume
We’ll go over four troubleshooting steps that’ll hopefully help you restore volume to your Chromecast:
Check the Volume Levels
To begin, check the volume setting on the Google Home app by following these steps:
- Ensure that the device you’re casting from is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast
- Open the Google Home app
- Choose your device
- Adjust the volume settings
If you discovered that the settings were normal, check the volume of the TV. You can accomplish this by changing the input.
To elaborate, examine the volume level of a device connected to your TV, such as an Xbox. If it’s also low, you’ll need to reset the volume on the TV. If the sound was normal, try the methods listed below.
Restart the Stream Source
In some cases, audio issues may be caused by a random glitch in your Chromecast. All you have to do now is:
- Stop the media you’re playing
- Force the app to close
- Disconnect your device from the Chromecast
- Reconnect to the Chromecast
- Restart the media you were playing
Reboot Your Chromecast Device
If restarting the media didn’t work, it’s possible that the device has become buggy. Rebooting it should fix the problem; here’s how:
- Open the Google Home app
- Choose your device
- Press the “Settings” icon in the top right corner
- Tap the “More” button (three-dotted icon)
- Select “Reboot”
Wait a few moments for the device to restart completely. Check to see if the volume has returned to normal; if not, try the following fix.
Factory Reset Your Chromecast Audio
The final solution you could try is to factory reset your Chromecast audio. You can either factory reset it from the app or the device itself.
A word of caution: a factory reset will permanently delete all of your data.
Using the App
- Open the Google Home app
- Choose your device
- Select the “Settings” icon
- Tap the “More” button
- Select “Factory Reset”
From the Chromecast Device
- Hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast while it’s plugged in
- Continue to press until the LED begins to blink orange
- Wait for the light to turn white before releasing the button
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
Final Word
Read more: Cast video and Audio separately
By now, we’ve covered almost everything you need to know about Chromecast’s low volume issue. Fingers crossed that one of the solutions we described helps you restore the volume on your Chromecast!
If none of them worked and the issue isn’t with your TV settings, it’ll be time to contact Google customer service.