How to Reboot or Factory Reset Your Google Chromecast
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Your Chromecast was working fine yesterday. But today? Laggy streams. Buffering mid-episode. Or worse—completely refusing to connect to Wi-Fi. It’s frustrating, especially when you just want to relax and binge-watch something.
The good news? Most Chromecast problems can be fixed with one simple trick: a reboot.
But before you go pulling the plug, let’s break down the different types Chromecast Models and different types of resets, how (and when) to use them, and what to do if a simple restart doesn’t cut it.
Which Google Chromecast Model Do You Use?
Google has been tweaking and upgrading these little streaming sticks since 2013, which is why not all Chromecasts are built the same.
Now, why does this matter? Well, if you’re troubleshooting—or considering a factory reset—it’s good to know which model you have since some steps (especially on the newer Google TV versions) might be a little different (more on this later).
Let’s have a look at a quick breakdown of the different models:
| Model | Model Number | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen (2013) | H2G2-42 | The original. Looked like a USB stick, plugged into HDMI, and supported 1080p. Simple but effective. |
| 2nd Gen (2015) | NC2-6A5 | Circular design, better Wi-Fi, and still rocking 1080p. Also, way less awkward to plug in. |
| Chromecast Audio (2015) | RUX-J42 | A special version just for music lovers. Had a 3.5mm jack to stream audio to speakers. |
| Chromecast Ultra (2016) | NC2-6A5-DGA3A00403 | The fancy one. 4K Ultra HD, HDR support, and better performance (but needed an Ethernet adapter for best results). |
| 3rd Gen (2018) | NC2-6A5B GA00439 | Smaller, faster, and still 1080p. A solid, no-frills upgrade. |
| Chromecast with Google TV (4K) (2020) | GZRNL/G9N9N GA01919 | Major redesign. Comes with a remote (finally!), a full Google TV interface, and 4K HDR streaming. |
| Chromecast with Google TV (HD) (2022) | G454V/G9N9N GA03131 | Budget-friendly version of the 2020 model, but capped at 1080p. Still comes with a remote. |
How to Reboot Your Chromecast by Unplugging the Power Cable
This is the universal fix. It works on every Chromecast, no matter the model, no matter the issue. It’s the first thing you should try before diving into deeper troubleshooting.
It’s pretty straightforward:
Find the power source.
Your Chromecast is either plugged into a wall outlet or drawing power from your TV’s USB port.
Unplug the power cable.
Now it’s time to unplug it.
Wait approx. 60 seconds.
This gives the device time to completely shut down.
Plug it back in.
Reconnect the power cable and let your Chromecast boot up.
Give it a moment.
It should automatically reconnect to your Wi-Fi and be back to normal.
Speaking from experience, using the original power adapter matters more than you think. A weak third-party charger can cause constant reboots and connection issues. If you lost your original adapter, make sure you replace it with one that delivers enough power. And if you have a Chromecast Ultra? Yeah, you have to use the included power supply—TV USB ports just won’t cut it.
How to Reboot Your Chromecast via the Google Home App
If getting up to unplug things sounds like a hassle, you can reboot your Chromecast straight from your phone using the Google Home app.
Here’s how:
Open the Google Home app.
Make sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.
Find your Chromecast.
Tap on “Favorites” or “Devices” to locate it.
Go to settings.
Press and hold your Chromecast’s tile, then tap the settings gear in the top right corner.
Hit “Reboot.”
Scroll down, tap “More settings,” and then select “Reboot.”
That’s it. Your Chromecast will restart itself without you having to leave your seat. Technology at its finest.
How to Reboot Your Chromecast with Google TV
If you’re using a Chromecast with Google TV, things get even easier. Instead of messing with cables or an app, just grab the remote.
So, here’s what to do:
Go to Settings.
Use your remote to navigate to the top-right corner of the screen.
Select “System.”
Scroll through the menu until you see it.
Choose “Restart.”
Confirm when prompted, and your Chromecast will take care of the rest.
What If Your Chromecast Is Still Not Working Properly?
Okay, so you rebooted, and it’s still acting up. That’s when it’s time to check for deeper issues.
Let’s have a closer look at some things to try:
Check your Wi-Fi.
Make sure your router is working and that your Chromecast is on the right network. You can confirm this in the Google Home app.
Update everything.
If your Chromecast, router, or streaming apps are outdated, weird bugs can pop up. Keep everything up to date.
Reduce interference.
If your Chromecast is buried in a mess of cables or tucked behind your TV, try moving it. Too much interference can mess with the signal.
Switch HDMI ports.
Sometimes, the HDMI port itself is the problem. Try plugging your Chromecast into a different one.
Use an HDMI extender.
If your Chromecast is directly plugged into your TV, an HDMI extender (which comes with some older models) can help improve signal reception.
Use a different power source.
Some USB ports don’t provide enough power. Try plugging Chromecast directly into a wall adapter instead.
Check your router’s frequency.
Most Chromecasts prefer 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz. If your router only broadcasts in 5 GHz, you might need to change the settings.
Reset your router’s DNS settings.
Some users have fixed persistent Chromecast issues by switching to Google’s Public DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) in their router settings.
Too many devices?
If your Wi-Fi is struggling, check how many gadgets are connected. Too many streaming devices can choke your network.
Disable your VPN.
Chromecast and VPNs don’t always play well together. If you’re running a VPN on your phone or router, try turning it off and reconnecting.
Try a wired connection.
If your Wi-Fi is really unreliable, consider using an Ethernet adapter to plug your Chromecast directly into your router. It’ll give you a rock-solid connection.
From my personal experience, one of the biggest issues people run into is network congestion—too many devices sucking up bandwidth at the same time. If your Chromecast is lagging every time someone starts gaming or downloading something huge, you might need to upgrade your internet speed.
How to Factory Reset Your Chromecast (Hard Reset)
Alright, so you’ve tried everything—rebooting, checking your Wi-Fi, updating your apps—and your Chromecast is still acting up. At this point, it is time for a factory reset (also called hard reset).
But fair warning: this wipes everything. Your Chromecast will be returned to its out-of-the-box state, meaning you’ll have to set it up from scratch. So if there’s anything you want to save (like Wi-Fi settings or account info), now’s the time to take note of it.
Depending on your Chromecast model, there are two ways to reset it:
Through the Google Home app (for those who prefer tapping over button-holding)
Using the physical reset button (for when the app isn’t an option or the Chromecast isn’t responding)
Soft Reset vs. Hard Reset: What’s the Difference?
Before you go all in, let’s clarify:
Soft Reset (Reboot) – Quick Fix
This simply restarts your Chromecast without erasing anything. It’s like when your phone starts acting up, so you restart it. Works most of the time.
Hard Reset (Factory Reset) – Last Resort
This erases everything—Wi-Fi settings, linked accounts, the whole shebang—and restores Chromecast to its out-of-the-box state.
When Should You Factory Reset Chromecast?
Only use this if:
A soft reset didn’t fix your issue.
You’re giving away or selling the device.
Chromecast is so broken it refuses to function.
How to Factory Reset Your Chromecast with the Google Home App
If your Chromecast is still somewhat functional and connected to Wi-Fi, this is the easiest way to reset it.
Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet.
Make sure you’re on the same Wi-Fi as your Chromecast.
Find your Chromecast in the list of devices.
Tap and hold its tile from the device list.
Go to settings.
Now select the Settings icon (gear symbol) n the top-right corner.
Factory reset.
Scroll down and tap “More” > “Factory Reset.”
Wait for it to wipe everything.
Confirm the reset, and your Chromecast will restart and wipe all data.
Once it’s done, you’ll need to set it up again like it’s fresh out of the box.
How to Factory Reset Your Chromecast without the Google Home App (Using the Physical Button)
If your Chromecast isn’t responding or isn’t showing up in the Google Home app, you’ll have to go old school: hold down the reset button on the device itself. The exact steps depend on which model you have.
Reset Instructions by Model:
| Chromecast Model | How to Reset |
|---|---|
| Chromecast with Google TV (4K & HD) | Press and hold the button on the back for 10-12 seconds until the LED blinks yellow. Release when it turns solid white. |
| Chromecast (2nd & 3rd Gen) & Chromecast Ultra | Press and hold the button on the side until the LED blinks orange. Release when it turns solid white. |
| Chromecast (1st Gen) | Hold the button for at least 25 seconds until the LED blinks red, then white. The TV screen will go blank before restarting. |
After the reset, your Chromecast will restart and erase all saved settings. You’ll need to set it up again through the Google Home app.
Final Thoughts
Most of the time, a simple reboot will fix things. But if your Chromecast is still glitchy, struggling to connect, or just completely unresponsive, a factory reset is your best bet. Just be prepared to go through the setup process again.
And if you’re still having issues even after a reset? Well… maybe it’s time to consider upgrading to a newer model (especially if you’re rocking the 1st-gen Chromecast from 2013).
Have you run into Chromecast problems before? What troubleshooting tricks have worked for you? Drop your tips, experiences, or frustrations in the comments below—let’s help each other out.
Also, if you enjoy tech breakdowns like this, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips, reviews, and recommendations on the latest gadgets.
Hope this helped! See you around, and thanks a lot for reading!
FAQ
-
A reboot (or restart) is like turning your Chromecast off and on again—it clears temporary glitches without erasing anything.
A factory reset is the nuclear option. It wipes all data, settings, and connections, restoring your Chromecast to its original state. Only do this if you’ve tried everything else and your Chromecast is still misbehaving.
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Nope! A simple reboot won’t touch your apps, accounts, or Wi-Fi settings. Think of it like restarting your phone—it’s just a refresh.
A factory reset, however, will erase everything, so be prepared to set it up again.
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If your Chromecast is frozen and won’t respond to the Google Home app, try unplugging the power cable, waiting at least 60 seconds, then plugging it back in.
If that doesn’t work, you might need to reset it using the physical button (check the reset steps in this guide).
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Check a few things:
Is the power adapter working? Try plugging it into a different outlet.
Are you using the original charger? Some third-party chargers don’t provide enough power, especially for the Chromecast Ultra.
Did you wait long enough? Some models take a minute or two to fully boot back up.
-
Yes! If your Chromecast is still responding, you can reboot it through the Google Home app:
Open the Google Home app.
Find your Chromecast and tap on it.
Go to Settings > More settings > Reboot.
Super easy, no need to leave the couch.
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Most likely, yes! A reboot can refresh the connection. If it keeps happening, though, check for these common culprits:
Weak Wi-Fi signal – If your Chromecast is far from the router, consider using an HDMI extender or switching to a 2.4 GHz network (older Chromecasts don’t support 5 GHz).
Network congestion – Too many devices on the same network can cause issues. Try disconnecting a few things and see if it helps.
Router settings – Restart your router or check if there’s a firmware update available.
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Yes! If your Chromecast isn’t showing up in the Google Home app, you can reset it using the physical button on the device. Hold it down until the LED changes color (see the reset instructions in this guide).
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There’s no set rule, but if you notice lagging, buffering, or Wi-Fi drops, a reboot can help. Some people reboot their Chromecast once a week as a preventive measure—kind of like restarting a computer to keep it running smoothly.
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If you’re still using a 1st-gen Chromecast from 2013, you’ve gotten your money’s worth. Newer models (like Chromecast with Google TV) have way better performance, 4K support, and a remote—so if your old one keeps acting up, it might be time for an upgrade.
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