Chromecast lets you turn your standard TV into a smart TV. While Chromecast allows you to enjoy various streaming apps on your standard TV, it does come with problems. Are you experiencing a delay, lag, or slow response while using Chromecast?
Experiencing delay, lag, or slow response on your Chromecast could be due to Wi-Fi interference. To fix this issue, ensure your Chromecast is in close proximity to the router, reduce other devices’ Wi-Fi usage, or consider using a 5GHz Wi-Fi network if available for faster and more reliable streaming.
Network congestion and interference from other devices can cause delays on your Chromecast. To address this, move your Chromecast closer to the router, limit the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, and use a 5GHz network if possible for smoother streaming.
Outdated firmware on your Chromecast can lead to performance issues. To resolve this, open the Google Home app on your mobile device, select your Chromecast, and check for any available firmware updates. If updates are available, install them to improve performance and reduce lag.
This article will help you troubleshoot some common issues when using Chromecast and how you quickly and easily fix it. You will be back on your couch in no time.
How To Fix Lag On Chromecast
When are settled in to enjoy the movie you’ve been waiting to rent or to catch up on your favorite television show, you don’t want to spend your evening waiting for the content to buffer.
You can fix a lag on Chromecast by strengthening your network signal. If able, adjust your router to a 5GHz connection instead of the standard 2GHz. Keep Chromecast and the streaming device within 15 feet of each other. Move the router closer to the TV.
There could be multiple reasons why Chromecast is experiencing a lag. Before you get upset with Chromecast, make sure there are no internet issues in your area.
You can go to the website downdetecor.com to see if anyone in your area has reported network or other streaming issues. You will also see if others are experiencing the same problem with a certain app or if the streaming provider is experiencing a network issue.
Network Speed
If your internet connection is slow or weak, there will be a noticeable lag when using Chromecast, especially if you are streaming from another device. You can test your network speed by going to fast.com.
How To Fix Audio Delay On Chromecast
Streaming video content is not very enjoyable if there is a lag in the audio. Here is what you can do if your audio is lagging while trying to use Chromecast.
You can fix an audio delay on Chromecast by restarting both Chromecast and your router. Restarting these devices will refresh the internet connection. Unplug both devices and allow them to rest without power for at least 30 seconds.
As wonderful as the internet is, not everything connects at the same speed.
Chromecast Audio Group
Depending on the area you live in, where your router is in relation to your TV, even how many speakers you have, these all affect the speed at which they connect to the internet. They all connect at different speeds so it doesn’t take much for there to be a lag.
There will always be a chance of momentary internet and network lag, causing an audio lag or other buffering issues. But you can manually adjust the audio settings for Chromecast, reducing the amount of lag.
Step 1: Open the Google Home app.
Step 2: Find your device.
Step 3: Select the ‘Settings’ icon.
Step 4: Go to the ‘Advanced’ section.
Step 5: Select the ‘Group Delay Correction’ setting.
Step 6: Adjust the audio settings.
Adjust the HDMI Mode
Typically electronics come with pre-selected settings already installed. While these options are usually the best choice, it is a good idea to adjust them to a higher setting if you are experiencing an audio delay on Chromecast.
Step 1: Open the Google Home app on your streaming device.
Step 2: Go to ‘Your Devices’.
Step 3: Select ‘Chromecast’.
Step 4: Select ‘Settings’.
Step 5: Select a higher mode such as ‘50 Hz HDMI Mode’.
How To Fix Chromecast Slow And Choppy
Is Chromecast running slowly or is the quality choppy? Here are some simple solutions to resolve the issue.
You can fix Chromecast slow and choppy by downloading the content you want to watch. Close any apps that are running in the background. Delete any unused apps to free up memory space for streaming live content. Reduce the number of connected devices on the same network as Chromecast.
Two additional reasons for Chromecast being slow and choppy are bandwidth and video playback quality.
Bandwidth
Chromecast uses your device to stream content. Because both Chromecast and the device you are streaming from require an internet connection, the two devices are consuming large amounts of bandwidth.
Bandwidth is much like a highway. The size of the highway determines how many cars can travel on it at one time. If the highway is too small, too many cars on the highway mean cars will be sitting in traffic until space opens up.
The internet bandwidth is the same way. If too many devices are connected to the same network, the network will not have the space to accommodate all of the devices.
Reducing the number of devices that are streaming at the same time will increase network bandwidth.
Adjust Video Quality
Unfortunately, not all movies or television shows can be downloaded. In this case, you need to change the video playback quality.
While this isn’t the favorite option when watching your favorite movie, lowering the quality of the movie will increase bandwidth and will reduce the amount of lag you get from streaming directly from the app.
Step 1: Press the button located on the top-right side of Chrome.
Step 2: Go to ‘Options’.
Step 3: Select a lower resolution such as 720 or 480.
How To Fix Chromecast Lag When Casting Desktop
We have everything at our fingertips, literally, with a desktop. When it comes to streaming Chromecast from the desk top, however, there can be a lag.
You can fix Chromecast lag when casting from a desktop by increasing the internet signal. Move the router closer to the TV. Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi booster or extender to increase the network and extend the network signal.
If, after doing what you can to boost the network signal, here are a few more suggestions to try if you are experiencing a lag when casting from a desktop.
Close Out Apps
Because Chromecast and your desktop require an internet connection to stream content, any apps running in the background on your desktop will take away needed bandwidth.
Closeout any apps running in the background. Closing these apps will also increase the memory space needed to stream live content.
Use Hardwired Connection
Using a hardwired internet connection, such as with an Ethernet connection, lets you connect Chromecast directly to your router. This will increase your internet speed between the two devices and will reduce any lag.
A hardwire connection may not be ideal, especially if you are someone who hates seeing cords. But you will get a more stable connection that is stronger and less prone to audio and content delays.
How To Fix Chromecast Fetching Update Slow
If Chromecast is not updating, you can manually check for any pending updates and install them yourself. The steps are simple and the whole process only takes a few minutes.
You can fix Chromecast fetching updates slow by making sure you have a stable internet connection. If the internet connection is not stable, use a hardwired connection to connect the router directly to Chromecast. Open Google Home to manually install updates.
Firmware and software are both crucial elements to Chromecast. Firmware is the operating system within a device. Firmware rarely needs to be changed but Software is what provides the updates needed for our electronics to improve.
Firmware
Before updating Chromecast manually, you want to make sure Chromecast has the latest firmware. This will let you know if any updates are pending.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on March 5, 2022.
Step 1: Open the Google Home app.
Step 2: Select your device.
Step 3: Select ‘Settings’.
Step 4: At the bottom of the page you will see the latest firmware information. Compare that information with what is on Google’s Chromecast Support Page. If the numbers do not match, this means Chromecast does need to be updated.
Software
Updates are typically installed automatically and without us even knowing it. If your Chromecast is not updating, however, you can manually install the updates.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on March 5, 2022.
Step 1: Open the Google Home app on a mobile device.
Step 2: Make sure both Chromecast and your device are connected to the same network.
Step 3: On the Google Home app, select your Chromecast device.
Step 4: Go to ‘Settings’.
Step 5: Click on the three horizontal dots.
Step 6: Select ‘Reboot’. Chromecast will shut off and then automatically restart. Once the updates are successfully installed, LED lights on Chromecast will flash and a notification will appear on your TV screen. The update will take about ten minutes.
If the update is taking longer than ten minutes, unplug Chromecast from its power source and let it rest for at least 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, plug Chromecast back in and see if the updates were installed automatically.
If the updates are still pending, follow the steps outlined above again to manually install the update. If you continue experiencing issues with Chromecast updating, reach out to Google Support for additional help.
You can fix Chromecast fetching update slow by going to Chromecast’s homepage and checking for any pending updates. Open the Google Home app on your smart device. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Device Information’ > ‘Technical Information’.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on March 5, 2022.