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How to Connect Chromecast to Wi-Fi Without a Remote?

As an owner of a Chromecast, I know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to connect it to your Wi-Fi without a remote. Recently, I found myself in a similar situation and after much 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 providing step-by-step instructions on how to connect Chromecast to Wi-Fi without a remote. So, if you’re in a similar situation, this post is for you!

That’s simple. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection, and you’ll be able to set up your phone as a virtual remote. This should allow you to connect your Chromecast to Wi-Fi without an actual remote.

Tips
You can use your Android or iOS phone as a virtual remote to connect your Chromecast to Wi-Fi without an actual remote.
To set up your phone as a virtual remote, you need to make sure that your Chromecast and phone meet the minimum technical requirements.
You need to pair your smartphone with the TV and connect the Chromecast to Wi-Fi.
To reset your Chromecast without a remote, you can manually do it or use the Google Home app.

Step 1: Make Sure You Have the Requirements to Set Your Phone as a Virtual Remote

The good news is that you can simply use your Android or iOS phone as a remote for your TV. However, there are some technical requirements for both your Chromecast and your phone.

  1. Android TV Remote Service with Android 5.0 or later (for your Android TV)
  2. Gboard version 11.0 or later (for your Google TV)
  3. Google TV mobile version 4.27.8.93 or later (for your Android phone)
  4. The latest version of the Google Home app
  5. iOS 14.0 or later (for your iPhone)

Step 2: Pair Your Smartphone With Your TV

Once your phone and TV meet the minimum technical requirements, you should start pairing both devices together. To do so, you need to work on two platforms simultaneously. Here’s how:

From the Google Home App

  1. Start the app on your phone and TV
  2. Select the Google TV or Android TV device you want to control
  3. To use your phone as a virtual remote control, select “Open Remote”

From the Google TV app

  1. Open the Google TV app on your Android phone
  2. Select “Remote” from the bottom right side
  3. Select “Scanning for Devices” on the top
  4. Select your device

Step 3: Connect Your Chromecast to Wi-Fi

Now that you’ve paired your phone to your Chromecast, you can use it to connect your Chromecast dongle to a Wi-Fi network. Follow these steps to set up the connection:

  1. On your phone, go to settings
  2. Select the name of your Chromecast from the list of networks. This allows you to connect directly to the Chromecast
  3. Open the Chromecast app. You’ll get the message “Found a New Chromecast”
  4. Press “Reset” in the upper left corner
  5. Check that the code on your phone is the same as the one on your TV screen
  6. Press “Next”
  7. Choose the country. Then press “Next”
  8. Select the Wi-Fi network from the list provided
  9. Insert your Wi-Fi password and press “Next”

Now your Chromecast is all set and connected to your Wi-Fi network.

How to Reset Chromecast Without a Remote?

Read more: Can I stream downloaded movies to Chromecast?

Resetting your Chromecast is a non-reversible step that erases all your data and history, but sometimes it’s necessary to start a glitch-free connection.

How you restore factory settings depends on the model of your Chromecast device. While all devices allow for manual reset, only some support resetting via the Google Home app.

We’ll explain how to do each right below.

How to Manually Reset Your Chromecast

Read more: Chromecast keeps turning off the TV

This method differs from one model to another. Here’s how to manually reset the different versions of Chromecast.

1st Generation Chromecast

  1. With your Chromecast plugged into your TV, press and hold the button on your Chromecast for about 25 seconds
  2. The LED button should blink red
  3. Release the button when the LED light turns white and the TV screen turns blank

2nd and 3rd Generation Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra

  1. Press and hold the button on the side of your device while it’s plugged into your TV until the LED blinks orange
  2. Release the button when the light on your LED turns white
  3. Your Chromecast dongle should be reset

Chromecast With Google TV

  1. Press and hold the button on the back of your device while it’s connected to your TV until the LED blinks yellow
  2. Release the button when the light on your LED goes white

How to Reset Your Chromecast Via the Google Home App

To be able to use your Google Home App, you need to have access to the same network to which your Chromecast is connected. Here’s how to do it on different models. Note that the Chromecast with Google TV doesn’t allow this feature.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra

  1. Launch the Google Home app
  2. Press and hold your device icon
  3. Tap on “Settings” at the top right corner
  4. Select “More” and choose “Factory Reset”

Conclusion

So, how to connect Chromecast to Wi-Fi without a remote? 

Easy! You can turn your smartphone into a virtual remote to control your Chromecast. 

Hopefully, after reading our article, you now know the right steps to follow to make this happen!