Why Can I Not Cast to My Smart TV?

In today’s technological world, many TVs come with the built-in ability to “cast.” This can refer to a variety of functions, but in general, it refers to your ability to put your phone or tablet’s screen on the TV. What happens when this doesn’t work, though?

Many smart TVs do not have the inherent ability to cast your mobile device on the big screen. However, if you have a product like Chromecast and are still experiencing problems, make sure your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your mobile device is using data, it will not allow casting.

Whether you are looking to cast for the first time or have been doing this for a while, there are many possible solutions to your problem. Read on to learn more about casting your device and what measures could help you.

Reasons Why You Cannot Cast to Your Smart TV

If you have Chromecast or another similar device, there could be many reasons why your mobile device is not showing up on the big screen. Consider the following problems and solutions:

Your Devices Must Be on the Same Wi-Fi

We mentioned this issue earlier. To cast, both your dongle and mobile device need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. You can remedy this issue by going into each of your device’s settings.

If your phone is using data or you are playing downloaded offline content, you may need to connect to the internet to cast. If both of your devices are on the same network and you are not getting the desired result, try restarting your router.

When they both have reconnected, try casting again.

Your TV May Not Support Casting

Even if you have a smart TV, make sure that it allows you to cast videos and images. While smart TVs are revolutionizing the way we watch movies and shows, not all of them come with the ability to mirror your phone’s screen.

Be sure to refer to your smart TV’s user manual if you have any questions about your product’s features and capabilities.

Not All Apps Allow Casting

Many popular apps, like Netflix, allow you to cast video on your phone onto the big screen. Not all apps allow casting, however. Some of these apps include:

• Hulu
• Prime Video
• PBS Kids
• Pandora
• Sling TV
• Vimeo
• YouTube Music

In the future, these apps may allow for casting. At this time, however, this feature is not available. In the meantime, you may be able to use the apps on your smart TV to access them.  

You Are Too Far Away from the TV

Your devices need to all be in proximity so they can all “talk” to each other. This means that your router, TV, mobile device, and/or Chromecast will all need to be within a certain range to work.

For example, you cannot be more than 15 feet away from your Chromecast while using it. Going beyond this range could make it difficult to control the TV or play videos.

Your TV’s Sensor Is Obscured

Similarly, your TV’s sensor needs to be in reasonable proximity to your devices for them to function. For instance, if you are trying to cast from another room, this may not work. 

If you are within the recommended 15-foot range, however, try the following:

• Plug your casting device into a different HDMI port.
• Try plugging the charging end of your device into a new outlet.
• Make sure that your TV’s sensors are clear of objects, like DVD players, video game consoles, and speakers, as this could prevent the signal from going through.

Also, make sure that you are on the right input channel. If you are on the wrong input channel, your mobile device might say it is casting, but it is not.

Casting Devices Have Short Lifespans

It is an unfortunate reality that many electronic devices have short lifespans. If you have Chromecast, it could reach the end of its life in as little as two years, contributing to casting issues. This can be due to things like:

• Everyday use
• System updates that are too powerful
• A burnt-out internal battery

Your device’s lifespan could be even shorter if your home recently had a power outage. During a power surge, your device could effectively be “fried,” meaning that its components are no longer able to support its day-to-day function.

If you bought Google’s Chromecast and ran into this problem, you can learn more about getting a replacement by contacting Google’s customer support team. If you have a non-Google casting device, you can learn more about your replacement options by visiting your product’s website.

Final Thoughts

So, there could be many reasons why you cannot cast to your smart TV. If your TV supports this function, there could be many easily solvable reasons why it is not working. Hopefully, the solutions we provided above can help!