As an exasperated owner of a Chromecast, I was frustrated to discover that my device was only casting audio and no video. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share my experience and the solutions I found to this common problem. In this blog post, I’ll be discussing the possible causes and fixes for this issue with Chromecast not casting video, only audio.
Several factors could be causing this, including insufficient power supply, HDMI issues, internet connectivity problems, and software glitches. Thankfully, this also means there are also several ways to fix your problem.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Insufficient Power Supply | Plug Chromecast directly into a socket using the power cord and adapter that came with your purchase, instead of using the TV’s USB port. Try rebooting your Chromecast by unplugging the power cord and waiting a few minutes before plugging it back in. |
| Wrong HDMI Port | Test different HDMI ports on your TV and ensure your TV supports HDCP 1.3 (HDCP 2.2 for 4K streaming). Set your TV’s source to the HDMI input you’re testing. Inspect HDMI ports for any signs of damage. |
| Internet Connectivity | Perform an internet speed test and ensure no other devices are using the internet during testing. Move your router closer to the Chromecast or restart your router by unplugging it for a few minutes before plugging it back in. |
| Outdated App, Browser, or Device | Update your Chromecast, apps, browsers, and devices. To update Chromecast, use the Google Home app and tap on Settings -> Reboot. To update Google Chrome, click on Settings -> About Chrome -> relaunch to install any updates. |
| Faulty Apps or Devices | Stop and restart your cast. Test your devices by plugging the Chromecast into a different monitor, using a different Chromecast on the same TV, or casting from a different phone or PC. If the Chromecast itself is faulty, contact Google’s customer support for further assistance. |
5 Common Reasons Why Chromecast Isn’t Casting Video
If you find your Chromecast isn’t casting video but still plays audio, you may be experiencing one of the following issues.
- Insufficient Power Supply
Chromecasts need a sufficient, steady power supply to perform well. Without it, the device’s capability is limited.
How to Fix Power Issues
If your Chromecast isn’t plugged directly into a socket, try doing so with the power cord and adapter that came with your purchase. There may not be enough power if the Chromecast is just connected to the TV’s USB port.
If it’s not a power issue, you can try rebooting your Chromecast by unplugging the power cord. Then you can wait for a few minutes before plugging the device back in. If this doesn’t work, unplug all HDMI cables from your TV and unplug the TV itself for around 30 minutes.
- Wrong HDMI Port
For your Chromecast to work, it needs a TV that supports at least HDCP 1.3. You’ll need HDCP 2.2 if you want to stream in 4K resolution.
How to Fix HDMI Issues
You can try testing your Chromecast with your TV’s other HDMI ports to see if one of them will work. Make sure your TV’s source is set to the HDMI input that you’re testing out.
In case this doesn’t work, you may want to inspect your HDMI ports for any signs of damage.
- Internet Connectivity Issues
If the issue isn’t caused by the power supply or your TV’s ports, it could be because of your internet connection.
A poor internet connection will cause your Chromecast to keep buffering, which may result in a black screen. If you can still hear the audio, it could just be loading faster than the video.
How to Fix Internet Issues
First, check if your Wi-Fi is stable by doing an internet speed test. You’ll need to stop using the internet on other devices to get an accurate result.
If your Wi-Fi is working fine, it might be because the Chromecast is too far away to get a good signal. Try moving your router to a better position near the Chromecast.
You can also restart your router by unplugging it from its power supply and then plugging it back in after a few minutes.
- Outdated App, Browser, or Device
To get everything running smoothly, make sure to update all apps, browsers, and devices (including your Chromecast). Even if just one of these is outdated, it might become incompatible with the rest.
How to Update Your Chromecast
Your Chromecast device will usually update automatically, but just in case, you can check it yourself by downloading the Google Home app.
Make sure to connect all your devices to the same Wi-Fi network, then open the app to spot your Chromecast device. Tap on it, then head to the gear icon or Settings.
From there, tap on the three dots, then select “Reboot.” This will download all the latest updates for your Chromecast.
How to Update Your Browser
If you’re using Google Chrome to cast, you can update your browser by clicking on the three dots on the top right of your window.
Click on Settings, then go to “About Chrome.” Your browser will then automatically scan for new updates. If there are any, you can relaunch Chrome to install them.
- Faulty Apps or Devices
If none of the previous steps got the Chromecast to play video, one of your devices might be faulty.
How to Fix Faulty Device
Before suspecting the hardware, stopping and restarting your cast might help. Just click on the cast icon, then select “Stop Casting.” See if the issue is consistent throughout all apps and browsers.
Afterward, try testing the devices out if you have several TVs or Chromecast devices. Do this by plugging in your Chromecast to a different monitor or using a different Chromecast on the same TV. You can also try casting from a different phone or PC to see if this is the issue.
If you find that the Chromecast itself is faulty, you may contact Google’s customer support for further assistance.
Final Thoughts
Understandably, it can be frustrating when your Chromecast only casts audio with no video, and you can’t figure out the cause.
Many small factors contribute to how casting works. So, you’ll want to check that all of them are functioning smoothly, from power supplies, internet connection, ports, and app software.
Before you consider replacing your Chromecast device, try out the simple troubleshooting steps, like restarting or checking the HDMI connection, to see if one of them brings the video back.
