Having a Google Chromecast is the perfect way to get all of your favourite streaming sites and platforms onto your TV, without having to purchase an expensive smart TV.
With the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus taking over the industry, it comes as no surprise that when your Chromecast fails, you can be a little more than frustrated.Â
Picture this: you’re just about to catch up on your favourite TV show after the last one ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger…and the Chromecast won’t connect to the TV.Â
What a nightmare! There is nothing worse than getting excited for the next episode of the latest hit series to find that you cannot cast to your TV, or the Chromecast button simply is not there.
The good news is you do not have to despair, or start searching for some old videos and DVDs to watch like some sort of caveman. There is actually a simple fix if your Chromecast button is missing or not showing up at all, and we are here to help you with it! Â
What is the Chromecast button?
If you are unsure if a missing Chromecast button is your issue, but your Google Chromecast is failing to connect, then you will need to know what you should be seeing.
If you are on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney Plus, and you want to cast this to your TV screen, then you should be looking for a little square, that looks like a TV screen, with a WiFi signal coming out of it.Â
If you want to cast the video or content to your TV screen, then all you have to do is select this button, and highlight it until it connects to your screen. You should then see the movie or TV show on your television, instead of on your smartphone screen.
Where is the Chromecast button usually?
The Chromecast button should be located near the top right-hand corner of your screen, on any streaming application that you are using.
If you are on an app that is capable of casting video, movies and content to your TV screen, then you should be able to see this little TV and WiFi symbol in the top corner of the application screen. If you cannot, then we may have a problem.Â
What to do if your Chromecast button is not showing up
Your Chromecast button may not be available to press on your phone screen, however, this is a common issue, so try not to worry too much. One of the main reasons the Chromecast symbol is not showing up is usually down to the network connection and the WiFi.Â
If this seems to be the issue, then the best thing to do is ensure that your phone or tablet device is on the same WiFi network as the Chromecast and that the two are connected.
If it is not, then you may need to unplug the power to your internet router or WiFi box at the mains and wait for a couple of seconds, and then plug it back in. Then, both your smartphone and your Chromecast should connect back up to the WiFi.Â
If your Chromecast is still not connecting, or showing up the cast icon, then you can unplug your Chromecast at the mains so that it loses power. Then, please wait a few seconds before plugging it back in.Â
On the other hand, it could be an issue with the application itself. If you have already been using your Chromecast, and you switch applications, yet on the new one you cannot see the Chromecast icon, then you will have to close down the application.Â
This can be done by double-tapping your home button and closing the application completely. Then, once it has closed down, you are going to need to reopen the application. This time, the icon should be there.
If any of these quick fixes do not seem to work, then you may have to reset and reboot your Chromecast completely. This will not damage or harm your Chromecast in any way, or alter the way it functions, it will just simply reset it to factory settings as if it is the first time that you are using it.Â
How to reset your Chromecast completely
If you are struggling to connect your Chromecast to your television, or you cannot find the cast button on any of your applications, then there may be a connectivity issue with the Chromecast itself.Â
Without the cast button, you will not be able to stream any movies, videos, TV shows or content from your smartphone or tablet to your TV, and so this is a problem that definitely needs to be fixed.Â
The best way to fix this problem, or any connectivity issues with your Chromecast that you may have is to reset and reboot the Chromecast. To do this, you will need to follow these simple steps, and we will have you streaming in no time at all.
The first step is to ensure that your Chromecast is powered on, and connected to the power cable and plugged in. Once this is done, you will also need to check that the Chromecast is plugged into the HDMI port on your TV correctly.Â
Then, you are going to need to reach behind the back of the Chromecast, and feel for a button. Once you have located a button, you will notice that there is also a light on the side of the Chromecast.
Whilst keeping an eye on the light, you are going to need to hold down the button on the Chromecast for about 25-30 seconds, until you see the light start flashing. Once this light turns to flashing white, it should stop flashing completely. If it stops, then it is okay to release the button.Â
Then, the Chromecast should start the reboot and reset sequence. During this sequence, it should walk you through how to connect your Chromecast to the WiFi network again, and how to connect your smartphone to the Chromecast.
To do this, you will need the Google Home application which can be found here for Android and here for Apple devices.
Once you have the app installed, you will be able to control your Chromecast via your smartphone or tablet, and you should now see the cast icon in the top far right corner of your phone screen, ready to cast.Â
Summary
Losing your connection with your Chromecast can be frustrating. Luckily, this problem is easily fixed with a little bit of troubleshooting. In addition, there is no problem with a Chromecast that cannot be solved with a simple reset and reboot, and this only takes a matter of seconds to do.
With a few of these tips in mind, you can get back to your favourite TV show, or movie within no time at all!Â
