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Chromecast YouTube No Video (Causes, How to Fix)

As an owner of a Chromecast, I know all too well the frustration of trying to watch YouTube videos on my device only to have no video show up. After hours of research, testing, and troubleshooting, I’m here to share all the potential causes of this issue and, more importantly, how to fix it. In this blog post I’ll explain the steps you can take to get your Chromecast streaming YouTube videos again, so you can enjoy all your favorite content.

IssueCauseSolution
YouTube not playing on ChromecastOutdated softwareUpdate your Chromecast device
Poor internet connectionReset Chromecast, modem/router and make sure they’re on the same network
Chromecast errorsPerform a factory reset of Chromecast
Chromecast cache issue or network connectionClear Chromecast cache on Google TV and ensure same network for phone and Chromecast

Why Is YouTube Not Playing On My Chromecast? (Causes and How to Fix)

Here are some of the most common causes of YouTube not playing on your Chromecast, with their solutions: 

Outdated Software

Chromecast errors most often occur due to outdated software. 

Google updates its Chromecast at least once every six months to get rid of small bugs, errors, and minor issues that can inconvenience a frequent user. 

During the update process, Google might have disabled or changed some of YouTube’s settings to fix these issues, preventing Chromecast from properly playing videos from the website. 

Solution: Update the Device

The solution to this problem is simple: download the latest Chromecast update through the Google TV system.

As long as you have the auto-update option toggled on, Chromecast will download any and all updates upon launching the app. But if you don’t have it on, you’ll have to download the last update manually. 

Here’s how to manually update your Chromecast: 

  1. Go to the Chromecast home screen with Google TV. 
  2. Select Settings, then System
  3. Go to About and select System Update

If that doesn’t fix the issue, update Chromecast by doing a reboot. 

Rebooting the device won’t delete your old settings. It simply means turning it off and back on again from the mobile app. 

You can easily reboot Chromecast by unplugging it for 60 seconds.

Alternatively, to reboot Chromecast, you’ll first have to download the Google Home iOS app or the Google Home Android app if you haven’t already. Then, follow these steps: 

  1. Connect your smartphone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network. 
  2. Open the app and locate your Chromecast device. 
  3. Tap the gear icon on the upper right corner of the app to open device settings. 
  4. On the same page, tap the three horizontal dots icon. This opens a pop-up window with additional options. 
  5. Tap Reboot. Your Chromecast will shut down and automatically restart. During this process, the device will install any pending updates. 
  6. Once the update is complete, open YouTube and check if it works. 

Poor Internet Connection 

Without a proper internet connection, YouTube videos won’t play as they should. If you receive any of these errors, it might be due to connection issues: 

  • Playback error. Tap to retry. 
  • Something went wrong. Tap to Retry.
  • Playback error. Tap to retry.
  • An error has occurred.

Before you go through troubleshooting, make sure the home Wi-Fi is connected to your Chromecast

Your mobile device and Chromecast should be on the same network, as well

You can check the connection by going to Google TV Settings, then selecting Network & Internet.

Solution: Relaunch the Internet Connection

To fix this issue, follow these steps: 

  1. If the network is connected but YouTube isn’t working, reset your Chromecast by powering it off and waiting 30 seconds
  2. While waiting, reset your modem or router. Ensure your modem/router is running updated software. 
  3. Reinsert the Chromecast onto the TV. Make sure it’s not touching wires, cables, and other devices, as they may cause Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interference. 
  4. Turn on the modem/router. Once on, go to Chromecast Settings and manually connect to the internet. 

If YouTube still isn’t working after going through these steps, turn your Wi-Fi off and on from the mobile device you’re using to play YouTube on the Chromecast device. This should fix the issue. If the video starts to play but buffers or lags, reduce the video quality size. 

Chromecast Error 

Read more: Chromecast white screen

Like any device, Chromecast malfunctions from time to time. This could be because of a failed update, network issues, or loose connection among others. Most of these issues can easily be fixed by doing a factory reset. 

It’s important to note that performing a factory reset will erase any and all data from your Chromecast. As such, do this only after performing the troubleshooting steps above. 

Solution: Factory Reset 

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on your Chromecast device: 

  1. Insert the Chromecast dongle onto the HDMI port of your TV and power it on.  
  2. While the device is plugged into the TV, press the button on the back of the Chromecast
  3. After 25 seconds, The LED light will blink yellow, then white. Once white, release the button. The device will reset in a few minutes. 

Reset the cache on the Chromecast

Clear the cache of your Chromecast on Google TV. 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.

Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same network

To do this, do the following:

  • Click on the device from within the Google Home App
  • Click “settings” and “device information”
  • Scroll down to see what network it is connected to
  • If it is different, make sure to change it to the same network as your phone is connected to

Conclusion 

Read more: Chromecast too dark

There you have it, folks; our top three solutions to the Chromecast YouTube no video issue. 

Most of the time, YouTube errors are caused by outdated software, poor internet connection, or Chromecast errors. 

Simply follow the instructions above and you should start watching YouTube videos in no time!