Google has made it quite easy to set up Chromecast on PC or laptop. If you are still not aware of how to set up Chromecast on PC or laptop and use it, go through the complete article, as here we will discuss the process in detail.
Let’s start:
How to set up Chromecast on PC?
Chrome is no doubt one of the most popular browsers available on the internet. To set up and use Chromecast on your computer, in the initial step, you will have to install and run Google Chrome on your PC. Follow the below steps to set up Chromecast on your computer.
First, make sure that your Google Chromecast is powered on.
Ensure that your PC and Google Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Download the latest version of Google Chrome and run that on your computer.
Then, click on the Chrome kebab menu button (It is a vertical ellipsis ⋮) that you will be able to see at the top right corner of your screen
Now, from the menu cast tab, select the Cast… command
It is when Google Chrome will automatically start searching for all the available cast devices. Once it finds your Google Chromecast, you will be able to see that appearing on the menu.
Select it when you see it, and you can cast or mirror your screens from your computer to the Chromecast directly.
As we already know how you can set up Google Chromecast on your computer, it’s time to know how you can use it properly.
How to use Google Chromecast on PC/laptop?
In Google Chromecast, you have to select what you want to cast from your computer, and for doing that, you will be able to see the options from the sources menu.
There are three options in the sources menu.
Cast tab – Select this tab/option if you want to mirror the active Google Chrome tab of your computer.
Cast desktop – You’ll have to select this option if you are willing to cast your default desktop screen to the Chromecast.
Cast file – You’ll need to choose this option if you are willing to cast a specific media file on the Chromecast.
Note:
Sometimes, Chromecast fails to appear on the computer’s cast menu. If you face the same issue, you must ensure that you have connected your Chromecast and computer to the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re still having the same issue repeatedly, you have to reset your Chromecast and start from the beginning.
- Now, if you need to stop casting, you can click on stop casting or the stop button (⏹).
- When you cast a tab on your TV, you will also see a display button (a blue square icon).
Note– If you mirror videos to your TV from your PC, you will only get the sound played from your TV.
Add the cast button to the Chrome toolbar
In case you need to cast regularly, it will be easier for you if you add the cast button to your Google Chrome toolbar. Follow the below steps for that:-
First, you have to cast your Chrome tab or PC/desktop to your Google Chromecast.
You will see a blue cast button in your address bar (Activate cast extension button) to indicate a cast session.
Right-click on the button, and you will be able to see the “always-show” icon from the context menu. Select the button.
Now, you will be able to find the cast button on your Google Chrome toolbar in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
Name some of the Chrome-enabled websites
There are some websites that have native casting, known as Chrome-enabled websites. When you play media from one of those websites, you will be able to see the Chromecast button (inactive cast extension) on the websites media player (on the media player toolbars or as a floating icon on the website screen)
Here is a list of some Google Chromecast-ready websites and apps for PC
- TV
- Fullscreen
- FXNOW
- Google Photos
- Google Santa Tracker
- Google Slides
- RealPlayer Cloud
- Red Bull TV
- Revision3
- Sesame Street Go
- Showtime
- Showtime Anytime
- TuneIn Radio Play
- Twitch
- UFC
- Vevo
- Viaplay
- Viki
- VLC Media Player
- VUDU
- CBS
- CBS Sports
- Curiosity Stream
- Daily Burn
- Disney+
- Encore Play
- Eurosport Player
- Fluster (the US only)
- Fox Now
- Crackle
- Crunchyroll
- Fox Sports Go
- Songza
- SoundCloud
- Spotify
- Stadia
- Starz Play
- 5by
- ARD
- BBC America
- BBC iPlayer (the UK only)
- Canal Play (France only)
- CBC
- SVT Play
- Google TV
- HBO Max
- HBO Nordic
- Hoopla
- iHeartRadio
- NBA Game Time (Outside of the USA)
- Nebula
- Netflix
- NFL Game Pass (Non-USA)
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- NPO (Netherlands)
- NRK TV2
- Plex
- Popcorn Time
- Pornhub
- Post TV
- Rdio
Some of these services are locked for certain regions and in that case, you will need a VPN for getting access to those websites.
FAQ
What are the advantages of using Chromecast-enabled websites?
You are having a misconception if you think there is no advantage to using Chromecast-enabled websites when you can cast any website using the Cast tab.
While you cast content from any Chromecast-enabled device, you can switch your computer screen or even shut down the PC without interrupting your viewing.
As the Chromecast-enabled websites play the media content directly on your Chromecast device, participation from your computer is not important.
These websites use very little resources from your computer to play the content
Using a Chromecast-enabled website will also require less power
Where casting a tab limits your resolution to 720p, when you use a Chromecast-enabled website, it will let you cast and stream high-definition videos along with precise surround sound.
Can Chromecast be added to a computer without a Wi-Fi network?
You can do that with the latest versions of Chromecast, as the latest Chromecast comes with internal Wi-Fi beacons. You can do this by following the methods mentioned below.
Make sure that your device has guest mode
Run the Google Home application on your tablet or phone
Now, select the device from the list and tap on the settings menu that you can see in the top right-hand corner.
Now, select recognition and sharing, followed by selecting the guest mode.
Now, put the dial next to guest mode on.
You will be able to connect your computer to your Chromecast.
Note– You can also use an ethernet cable instead.
Ending words
Unlike the previous days, connecting to Chromecast has become a child’s play nowadays because of the Google upgrades.
Hope this article has helped you successfully connect Google Chromecast to your PC or laptop.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
