The Chromecast is certainly one of the most used devices in the living room or on old LCD TVs without a Smart component, since it allows you to view the video content and streaming streams taken from the Web and also to show the content taken from Facebook or other social apps. Unfortunately it sometimes happens that the Chromecast does not behave as it should: the video starts to sob, the video playback is slowed down or worse it does not start at all, showing only a black screen or a buffer that loads indefinitely.
If we have come across one of these problems, we are in the right guide: here we will show you all the tips to be applied to restore a Chromecast that does not work or is seen in spurts .
After following the suggestions we will be able to see the streaming content again at the highest quality, without interruption.
Article Index
- Change Wi-Fi channel on the router
- Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Use a wireless repeater
- Connect the Chromecast directly to the power outlet
- Reset the Chromecast
- Conclusions
Change Wi-Fi channel on the router
The first suggestion to apply if the Chromecast does not work or is seen in spurts plans to change the transmission channel of the home wireless network.Assuming we have connected the Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz home network, we open any computer connected to the same network, select our favorite browser and type in the address bar one of the following IP addresses: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, 192.168 .1.254.
A login window will open, where you can enter the credentials for the router's control panel.
To learn more about this topic we can read our guide on how to enter the router to access the settings in a simple way .
After entering the control panel, we identify the Wireless or Wi-Fi menu, we access the advanced settings (it may be available as a separate menu, at the top) and, in the settings offered, we look for the item Channel or Transmission channel .
We change the Automatic mode, setting one of the channels offered by the router; to avoid interference with nearby wireless networks, we recommend setting a little used channel like 3, 8, 9 or 10 .
Finally, click on Save and restart the router, so that we can communicate the change of channel to all connected devices.
To learn more about the channel change and how to avoid interference, we refer you to reading our guide on how to connect to the wireless channel of the wifi network with the most powerful signal .
Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi
If the situation does not improve and we have the latest generation Chromecast, we can connect it to the 5 GHz wireless network, faster and less prone to interference than the normal network.
To take advantage of the 5 GHz network we will need to have a modern router, which offers this possibility; to check, simply go to the control panel (as seen in the previous chapter) and check, in the Wireless or Wi-Fi section, if there is a menu called 5 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network .
If we find this menu, make sure that the wireless network is active and that it has a different name than the 2.3 GHz network (it can also be similar, the important thing is to be able to recognize it, perhaps adding a suffix like 5G ).
Once the network is enabled, we will have to make sure that the Chromecast connects to it and ignores the 2.4 GHz network.
To make this change on any smartphone, we open the Google Home app (for Android and iOS), touch the Devices icon to see the tabs for all the Google devices available on the network,
Once the Chromecast icon has been identified, touch the tab menu at the top right, go to Menu > Settings > Wi- Fi. The Wi-Fi network, touch Delete and then Delete network .
The Chromecast will forget the network used so far: now you just have to repeat the configuration procedure from Google Home, this time indicated the 5 GHz wireless network for the connection.
If we don't have any 5 GHz network, our modem is too old to take advantage of this feature.
In this case we advise you to focus on a new router, such as those recommended in our guide on which Wifi Router to buy for the wireless network in the home .
Use a wireless repeater
If the Chromecast is used in a room very far from the modem / router, videos can be jerky on virtually any occasion.
To be able to approach the modem without having to change the position of the devices, we can use a wireless repeater .
These simple devices connect to our main wireless network at a specific point in the house (the ideal is halfway between the modem and the Chromecast) therefore they generate a new wireless network, which will act as a "bridge" for the connection.
In this way we can obtain high speeds even if the Chromecast is far from the home modem.
To understand how a wireless repeater works and how to configure it, we refer you to reading our guide to the best 5 GHz WiFi repeaters, to increase internet coverage .
Connect the Chromecast directly to the power outlet
The Chromecast can be connected to one of the USB sockets on the TV, so as to supply electricity without having to stretch the cable too much and turn off the dongle when we turn off the TV.
In some cases the USB port does not provide enough electricity to be able to properly power the Chromecast, thus leading to malfunctions when we play any streaming content.
To remedy this, connect the Chromecast power supply to the wall outlet, using any USB charger for mobile phones or by purchasing a dedicated one for the purpose, such as the one supplied by AmazonBasics.
Using the wall socket, the Chromecast will always receive the right amount of current and we will be able to reproduce anything without electrical problems.
Reset the Chromecast
If all the tips have not taken effect and the videos continue to be seen in spurts, perhaps the right time has come to start the recovery procedure of the device.
To do this we have two options: if the Chromecast is connected to the TV, we press the button on the side of the device for 10 seconds: when the LED turns white, release the button.
Alternatively, go to the Google Home app, then to Devices, tap on the menu at the top right of the Chromecast icon, tap Menu and then Settings -> Other.
To start the reset mode, tap on Factory data reset or Reset and then on Reset .
The procedure will start, which will cancel all the Chromecast settings, returning it to the factory settings
Conclusions
We have shown you all the effective methods to try if the Chromecast does not work or goes into fits and starts (clicks).
Remember, however, that the fault is not always the Chromecast: many times even the Internet sites that provide streaming content may become clogged, effectively blocking playback on all connected devices.
If we want to watch videos and movies using Chromecast, we invite you to read our guide on how to watch videos and movies streaming from PC with Chromecast on TV .
If, on the other hand, we are passionate about IPTV and want to find out how to use it on Chromecast, we invite you to read the following guide -> IPTV streaming on Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast .
READ ALSO -> Chromecast guide with 18 tricks and applications to make the best use of it
