As a Chromecast user, I have experienced the frustration of trying to get the Chromecast to work with my soundbar. After a few attempts of trial and error, I found myself feeling defeated and not sure how to proceed. Fortunately, after doing some research and testing, I was able to find a few solutions. In this blog post, I want to share with you the causes of the issue and the solutions I discovered. Hopefully, this will help you save time and effort in getting your Chromecast to work with your soundbar.
| Tips |
|---|
| Check the soundbar plug ports and HDMI cable |
| Reboot the phone, WiFi router, Chromecast, and TV |
| Ensure the phone and Chromecast are on the same network |
| Check the HDMI cable for any damage |
| Ensure the TV recognizes the soundbar |
| Try using an optical cable instead of HDMI |
| Test different devices and streaming apps |
| Reboot or factory reset the Chromecast |
Table of Contents
How to Fix Chromecast Not Working With Soundbar?
Chromecast doesn’t work by itself, so you’ll have to check all the other connected devices. Here are some of the most common fixes to possible Chromecast and soundbar issues.
- Check Soundbar Plug Ports
The first thing to check is whether the cables are properly plugged in or not. Go over both ends of all HDMI and power cables.
Besides, you need to pay special attention if you’ve got more than one HDMI port on your TV. Make sure to plug the soundbar HDMI cable into the port labeled “Out”.
Otherwise, the soundbar won’t deliver sound as an output device. Many users overlook this detail so they struggle with a silent soundbar.
- Reboot Phone and WiFi
In nine out of ten cases, you can expect Chromecast to work smoothly after you reboot the phone. If this doesn’t work, reboot the WiFi router.
If you still have no success, then reboot Chromecast through the Google Home app or by unplugging Chromecast’s USB cable. You can also hard reset your Chromecast, but keep this option till the end.
- Check Connection Settings
First, check that your VPN is turned off when trying to connect to Chromecast. Next, check that your phone is connected to the same network that Chromecast is using.
To know your Chromecast’s network, use your Google Home app. Here are the steps to find the network name in the app:
- Find Chromecast inside your Google Home app
- Tap Settings
- Tap Device Information.
- Check the Network Name.
Once you know the network name Chromecast is using, connect the phone to the same network accordingly.
Read more: Do Samsung Soundbars work with Chromecast?
- Reboot TV
In case the problem is caused by the soundbar, this method of rebooting the TV can help bring it back to work.
Start by connecting the soundbar to ARC IN port (digital in) on the TV. Then, unplug all other devices, especially a DVD or Blu-Ray player.
After that, unplug both the TV and soundbar from the wall. Wait for about 10 seconds before you plug the TV and switch it on again. You need to give the TV some time to reboot before you switch on the soundbar again.
- Check HDMI Cable
Today’s entertainment devices heavily rely on HDMI cables, so you need to check them off your troubleshooting list.
After making sure the soundbar HDMI cable is properly plugged on both ends, look for any damage indications on the terminals or the cable wire itself.
If you don’t spot a problem, your HDMI cable may be faulty. Instead, try the HDMI cable on another device. Similarly, check if the soundbar will work with a different HDMI cable.
- Make TV Recognize Soundbar
Even if your soundbar is properly plugged in, your TV’s software might not be able to detect the soundbar.
If you’ve got a Samsung TV with One remote, or an LG TV with a Magic remote, you can easily make your TV recognize the soundbar from the settings.
Simply head to the universal controls in your TV’s menu to select the soundbar you’re using. This will ensure the soundbar is properly connected and avoid other miscommunication issues.
- Use an Optical Cable
A rather common case for older soundbars is that the HDMI connection won’t work properly. If so, we recommend using an optical cable instead.
Admittedly, the optical cable won’t give you direct control over the soundbar. Therefore, you’ll have to use the soundbar’s remote control.
One thing to note here is that you need to adjust the soundbar audio settings. Make sure the audio format is set to PCM in sound settings.
- Test Different Devices and Apps
You might still be unsure which device is causing the problem. So, try a different phone or tablet. In case it still doesn’t work, try switching between streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu.
It’s also possible that your WiFi router might be causing the lag. If you’ve faced regular issues with your internet on other devices, it might be time to get a new router for your 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.
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.
Wrap Up
Read more: Black screen when casting
Hopefully, you’ll end your trouble with our comprehensive list of solutions to Chromecast not working with the soundbar. Just remember, you might need to try individual solutions more than once. We’ve had success with some of these solutions on our third trial.
Besides, let’s not forget that if you’re lucky to have a device within its warranty period, you can easily request technical support or a replacement of your device.
