This article will give you a step by step guide on how to setup your Chromecast. Before explaining how to setup a Chromecast dongle, it would be great to know what precisely a Chromecast is.
A Chromecast is a small dongle you can use to play internet-streamed, visual, and audio content on any high-definition television or home theatre system. It is owned by Google and was first released in 2013.
Chromecast is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of streaming from the internet. You can control the Chromecast to playback using a mobile device or personal computer through internet apps that support the Google cast protocol. You can also control the Chromecast using Google Assistant.
Later versions of the Chromecast have been released, particularly in 2015 and 2020. Follow the steps listed below to setup your Chromecast
How to Setup your Chromecast
We explain in details the steps to take to setup you Chromecast dongle as a beginner.
Plug your Chromecast into a Power Source
To setup Chromecast, the first step is to unpack it from the box and plug the USB cable into the wall using the USB adapter included in the package. Plug it into a power source, and wait for it to come up.
When it comes up, you will see a prompt on the screen with a randomly generated identifier showing at the bottom left corner of the screen.
When this appears, it means that your Chromecast is ready for the setup process.
Download the Google Home App to setup Chromecast
You would need to have the Google Home app; if you want to setup Chromecast, the Google Home app is available on both the Google play store and the Apple app store.
Once you have downloaded and signed in to the Google Home app, and you can see the prompt on your Chromecast home screen. Proceed to connect your Google Home app with the Chromecast.
Connect your Chromecast
The setup process for all versions of the Chromecast is almost the same. There is only one significant difference between the process of setting up a first generation Chromecast(it is a longer dongle with a thumb-like shape) and the other generations of the Chromecast(which are shaped like discs).
The following paragraph will discuss the difference and how to setup Chromecast for all versions.
If you use a first generation Chromecast, you will need to connect to the temporary ad-hoc WiFi network it will create. To do this, open your phone or tablet’s WiFi settings and search for a network with the randomly generated identifier that showed on your screen at start up.
However, the second generation Chromecast and the Chromecast Ultra have Bluetooth support. So when you plug in a new or factory reset a second generation or Ultra model and start the setup process with the Google Home app, you will be connected using Bluetooth immediately. Confirm that your phone’s Bluetooth is turned on if it does not connect.
Also note that the ad-hoc WiFi network is the fallback method for the second generation and ultra model version. If for a reason, you get an error trying to connect to the Bluetooth to complete the set up process on a newer model, open the WiFi menu on your phone and use the WiFi method.
How to Configure your Chromecast
If you have successfully connected your Chromecast to your phone, you can now open the Google Home app and complete the configuration process.
Most of the time, your Chromecast will automatically send you a prompt to begin the setup process immediately you open the app, but if you do not get the prompt, you have nothing to worry about. Just tap the device icon in the upper right corner, seen below.
- You will find the Chromecast you are trying to set up at the top of the screen of the Google Home app.
- Confirm that the Chromecast identifier on your phone is a match with the identifier displayed on your TV. If so, then click Set Up.
- The Google Home app will confirm the randomly generated identifier assigned to the Chromecast. Now, click Continue to proceed.
- Then, a confirmation code will appear on the screen of your Chromecast. You then have to confirm that you can see the code on the screen by clicking I See It.
- Then, a prompt will appear on your screen asking you to select your region(e.g. The United Kingdom) and tap Continue.
- After successfully setting up your region, you will be prompted to name your Chromecast, which by default has a randomly generated name. It is recommended that you give it a name you can conveniently remember.
In addition to naming your Chromecast, you can also decide whether or not you want your Chromecast to send crash reports to Google and also choose if Guest Mode should be enabled.
The crash report feature allows your Chromecast to send reports to Google in the event that it experiences a crash.
How to Setup your Chromecast [Precise Version]
Just follow the steps below as quickly as possible to setup your Chromecast dongle on your smart TV.
- Plug the Chromecast Dongle into your smart TV port.
- Download and install the Google Home App on your Smartphone [Android & iOS].
- Launch the “Google Home App.”
- Click on the “+” icon to the top left.
- Click on “Set up a device.”
- Choose “New Device” to scan for available devices.
- You should see the “Chromecast” device identified on the Google Home app.
- Select the name of the Chromecast.
- Select “Next” at the bottom right.
- Tap “Yes” on the screen to confirm the code.
- Agree to the legal fine print by clicking on the “I Agree” button.
- You can either opt-in or out of Google Data Sharing.
- You need to tell the Google Home App the room your device is in.
- Pair your Chromecast with a WiFi network.
- Tap “Continue.”
- To set up your Google Assistance on Chromecast you need to tap Next.
- You can add or skip a series of service options. This gives you the option for radio, video and lives TV.
- To receive emails about “Google hardware” you can Sign Up for one.
- Select the “Next.”
- To start using your Chromecast you can just take the basic tutorial.
With the steps above you should be able to setup your Chromecast as a beginner and have it running successfully.
Chromcast Guest Mode
The Guest mode is also a safe feature to use, as you do not worry about people randomly connecting to your Chromecast, as Guest Mode requires the guest to be in the same room as the Chrome cast and use the PIN showing on the screen before they can connect.
After you must have made your selection, select Continue and then input the details of the WiFi network you want to connect your Chromecast with.
You will be casting from your phone or tablet, so if you have multiple WiFi networks around you, it is important you ensure that your Chromecast and Phone or Tablet are using the same WiFi.
If you cannot successfully setup your Chromecast, some of the troubleshooting steps are listed below.
- Disconnect your Router, and reconnect.
- Restart your Chromecast.
- Connect manually to your Chromecast’s using the WiFi method(if you use a newer version of the Chromecast).
- If you have tried all of the above without any success, seek professional help.
Check out How to Reset Your Chromecast