Chromecast has become a popular tech gadget by Google. It enables its users a smooth way for streaming content from a connected device to a PC or TV via HDMI cable. Chromecast can be used for streaming media from devices such as smartphones and tablets. You can also connect to Chromecast through your laptop or PC using the Google Chrome browser. By doing so, the content you are viewing on your smartphone or PC screen will appear on your Smart TV. In this article, you will learn about how to setup Chromecast on PC.
Chromecast is quite an affordable option which can be used between several monitors or televisions. Moreover, you can also take it along with you on your trips. Google released a few versions of Chromecast. They all work in the same way.
Features of Chromecast
The Google Chromecast device receives data over the WiFi network via your connected smartphone, laptop or PC for displaying media apps, videos, photos or your device’s entire screen. If you are watching a YouTube video on your laptop and want to cast it on your Smart TV for enjoying the video with your family, you can use the Chromecast device and cast the video on the TV screen quickly. To sum it up, Chromecast makes your connected TV or PC a reflection of your laptop or smartphone screen. The services of Google such as YouTube, YouTube Music and Google Play can be streamed directly on your device screen through Chromecast.
How to Setup Chromecast on PC: Step-by-Step Description
The Google Chromecast is one of the most used casting devices/streaming sticks and Windows is the most used OS in the world. Thus, there’s likely a possibility there are numerous users like you who want to Setup Chromecast using Windows PC. This article will also be useful for those users who face issues while setting up Chromecast on their Smart TVs through Windows.
Some time back, there was a Chromecast Setup for Windows PC running Windows 7 (or higher versions). However, Google has now given casting support in v72 of Google Chrome and other above versions. To know how to use Chromecast on laptop you will need the Google Chromecast device and the Google Chrome browser on your PC.
The following are the steps for setting up Chromecast using Windows PC:
- Plugin the Google Chromecast device into your Smart TV. Ensure that your Windows PC and Smart TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
- Open the Google Chrome browser. Tap on the top-right and then, click on the 3-dot menu. Find the option of ‘Cast’ in the list.
- Now, a list of all Chromecast-enabled devices will appear on the screen. The ‘Cast Tab’ option will be selected by default and so, only a specific chrome tab will be cast on your Smart TV. When you click on the ‘Sources’ button, you will have access to the following 3 types of casting options:
- Cast Tab:
This option will allow you to only cast only a specific chrome tab.
- Cast File:
This mode will enable you to stream an audio or video file. After choosing this option, you can select the file you want to cast on the TV screen. Further, select the Chromecast device on which you want the file to be played. This will allow you to enjoy your media content on a larger screen.
- Cast Desktop:
This option will allow you to cast your entire Windows PC screen. Select the device on which you want to conduct such casting to enjoy your PC screen’s content on the device you chose.
Once you have learned how to set Chromecast on PC, you should also see how to activate EPIX NOW to use your Chromecast to its highest potential.
Troubleshooting: Setup Chromecast using Windows PC
Problems related to Chromecast are rare. But sometimes glitches do occur. We have mentioned below the most common issues faced by Chromecast users along with the solutions.
- Chromecast is not displayed as a device option
If your PC doesn’t display Chromecast as an option for connection, you should first check if the Chromecast device is installed properly. Unplug the Chromecast cast device and plug it back in to allow its reconnection with the WiFi network. If your PC still doesn’t recognise Chromecast, reinstall it by pressing the reset button for a minimum of 25 seconds (or until the light flashes again).
- The lag between Chromecast device and PC
If you observe significant lag between the Chromecast device and your PC, there’s a chance of connectivity issues. Check your router to determine if other devices are facing any connection problems. In case your wireless router has a priority of devices, set your PC and Chromecast device as the higher priorities than the rest of the devices. The issue of lag can also occur due to memory issues with your PC. Open the Task Manager on your PC to check which programs are running in the background and close all unnecessary programs. If the lag continues, restart your PC and reconnect to the Chromecast device.
- Some portions of the screen are not visible
In this case, check if you have chosen ‘Cast Desktop’ as an option while setting up Chromecast and not any other option. If you already chose the required option, click on the 3-dot menu present in the right corner to check if the ‘Zoom size’ is selected as ‘100%’. Also, check the aspect ratio of your Monitor/TV.
- No Sound
If the sound of the media is not audible, check if audio is enabled on your PC. In case you are watching media directly from Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, ensure that you haven’t clicked the ‘Mute’ icon present at the bottom of the video. Check if your PC’s audio is on.
How to Use Chromecast on Laptop: 8 Tips and Tricks
Conclusion
We hope that you successfully setup Chromecast on PC after going through this article. There are some common issues that one can face while using a Chromecast device. We have mentioned the solutions for the same in this article. If you face any problem related to Chromecast setup, you can re-read this article for fixing the problem immediately.
If you own a macOS device, this blog on setup Chromecast on PC will not work for you. You can see how to use Chromecast on Mac, here.