As an owner of a Chromecast, I understand the frustration of not knowing how long your device will last. I recently conducted some research and testing to better understand the lifespan of the Chromecast, and I’m here to share my findings and the solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll explain how long the Chromecast can last and the factors that influence its lifespan.
Google Chromecast’s lifespan averages between 4–6 years. It’s a delicate device that’s easily damaged by impacts and simple plug/unplug movements.
| Tips: |
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| Google Chromecast typically lasts for 4-6 years. |
| Signs of a failing Chromecast include connectivity issues, unresponsive controls, and interface problems. |
| Check for damage and contact Google Customer Support for assistance if your Chromecast fails early. |
| Chromecast is a good investment due to its affordability and ability to make a non-smart TV smart. |
| Always try to troubleshoot your old Chromecast before purchasing a new one. |
Table of Contents
What Is Google Chromecast?
Google Chromecast is a small device that plugs into your TV through the USB port and transforms your non-smart TV into a smart one.
They have a similar idea to Fire TV sticks that have increased in popularity lately.
Google Chromecast provides a better-personalized interface, a voice remote, and exceptional streaming quality.
Amazon Firesticks, on the other hand, provide more models for different budgets. They also have HDR and Dolby Atmos support with every model.
Google Chromecasts Aren’t Lifelong Companions
A large device like a home TV is built to stick around for years to come. It’s often easy to guarantee longer lifespans for larger devices.
Smaller devices, on the other hand, are a lot more fragile and are less reliable when it comes to lifespans. Mobile phones, earphones, USB sticks — all of these things don’t tend to stick around for long.
Chromecasts are another example of small devices that are constantly used. These devices get to work every single time you fire up your TV. If you often unplug and replug them into different TVs, you should expect an even shorter life span.
Read more: Chromecast disconnects when phone sleeps
Problems to Expect When Your Chromecast Needs Replacing
Here are the signs that indicate that your Chromecast is starting to give up:
- Inability to Remain Connected to Your WI-Fi
One of the more common signs that your Chromecast is nearing its lifespan is how it randomly disconnects from your Wi-Fi.
It’s not that it doesn’t connect. The device will normally connect and may stay connected for some time. It, however, will randomly disconnect from your Wi-Fi network for no obvious reason.
- Unresponsive Controls
Chromecast transforms your TV into a smart TV that you can control with the remote. If your remote control starts to be inconsistent, the Chromecast could be going to the point of no return.
The unresponsive remote control may be caused by a simple issue like a drained battery. You should try a fresh battery before assuming that your Chromecast is dying.
- Faulty User Interface
The user interface is how your software is displayed on the screen and how you interact with it. We’ve mentioned earlier that the Chromecast may stop responding to your remote.
Still, what if the remote is working fine? You can see that your clicks are registering on the screen and yet, the icon you’re clicking on isn’t opening. This could be your Chromecast raising the white flag.
On the other hand, it could be a simple software problem that you could easily solve if you restart your device. Again, give the restart a go before thinking of buying a new Chromecast.
- Suddenly Irresponsive
This shouldn’t come as a surprise but if your Chromecast isn’t firing up at all, it’s most likely already dead. Especially if it’s been around for five years or so (the expected life span.)
You may try getting it fixed or repaired but at this point, it’s more cost-efficient to buy a new one.
Read more: Funimation won’t cast to TV
What to Do if Your Chromecast Breaks Early?
There are some occasions when your Chromecast would stop working much earlier than the average three-year lifespan. If that happens, then you need to check your Chromecast for any damage.
Chromecasts are fragile devices and could easily stop working if they get a hit. You need to rule out the possibility that your Chromecast device was broken due to rough use.
If your device turns out to be fine, then it’s mostly a faulty software problem. You may want to reach out to Google Customer Support and tell them about the issue. If the device is indeed faulty, they will fix it for you, or even send you a new one.
It’s Still a Good Investment
So, how long does Chromecast last? Around 5 years depending on how you take care of it. It may initially seem like a bummer that you need to buy a new device every time the old one breaks.
Yet, based on the affordability of Chromecast and the complete overhaul it gives your TV, it does seem like a solid investment.
Just make sure that you’ve tried to make your old Chromecast work first. It would really annoy you to buy a new one then discover that the old one is still working somehow.
