Chromecast is a portal HDMI device that you connect to your TV, particularly nonsmart TVs. This allows the TV to connect to the internet, play YouTube videos, stream content to it from your computer, and much more. It’s also used for Google’s Stadia gaming service to stream games to your television while Google’s servers do the processing in the background.
Resetting a Chromecast device can be useful when troubleshooting connectivity issues that do occasionally arise (Especially on the older devices). Regardless of your generation of Google Chromecast, this process should work for any of them.
How To Factory Reset Google Chromecast
Step 1
There is a button that is located on your Google Chromecast device. You will need to click and hold this button for around 10 seconds until that blinking light turns to a solid white ring. Once you have the white light you have successfully reset the Chromecast to its factory settings.
Step 2
After the device has been reset you will need to reconnect it to your TV. Afterward, select the port that you plugged it in using your input key on the TV until the Chromecast user interface is displayed.
Step 3
You should go ahead and install the Google Home app at this point if you haven’t had it already. After that you will want to have Bluetooth turned on if you’re using an Apple device.
Step 4
Finally open up the Google Home app and find the Chromecast device in the Google Home App. If you’re on an Apple Device you will need to have Bluetooth enabled as I mentioned previously. Once you’re connected to the Chromecast you will need to go ahead and do the basic setup and give the device a name. Afterward you have successfully factory reset your Chromecast and set it back up for general use.
Recommendations
During the reset process it might be preferable to go ahead and disconnect the Chromecast from the TV. After your light is solid then you can go ahead and reconnect it. If you have reset the device and you’re not getting any output on the TV simply disconnect and reconnect the Chromecast to the TV.
On most modern Chromecast devices you can reset the device using the Google Home app. However, from my experience it’s simply better and easier to reset it by holding the black button near the USB port. I wouldn’t use the software implementation for actual debugging unless I was simply going to be selling the device on a website like Swappa.
To reset the Chromecast in Google Home find the Chromecast device and click it. After you’ve taken to its own screen tap the triple dots at the top right of the app and you will be given a new dropdown. In that drop-down you should have a Factory Reset option go ahead and tap it and if your device is functioning properly the reset process should start.
