Casting audio from a tab

Use the Chrome browser to cast what's playing on your computer to your speakers. To get started, make sure that you're fully set up to use Chromecast Audio with Chrome.

Set up casting from Chrome

1. If you're not already running Chrome, download Chrome. 
2. Make sure that you're running the latest version of Chrome. If you're having trouble, here's how to get Chrome updates.
3. Though not required, it’s recommended to pin the cast button to your Chrome toolbar.
4. Make sure that your laptop or computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast Audio device.

Cast audio from a tab

There are several ways to cast audio content from a Chrome tab:

Option 1. From the cast button

1. If you’ve pinned the cast button to your toolbar, click the cast button  in the Chrome toolbar in the top-right corner of your browser. 
2. Choose the device to which you want to cast. 

Option 2. From a Chromecast-enabled site

1. Open up a Chromecast-enabled site like YouTube.
2. Click the Cast button  in the bottom-right corner of the video player. Note: The Cast button may be in a different location on some Chromecast-enabled sites. 
   
3. Choose the device that you want to cast to.

Option 3. From the Chrome Settings menu

1. Navigate to the Chrome Settings menu in the Chrome toolbar in the top-right corner of your browser  click Cast….
   
2. Choose the device that you want to cast to

Option 4. From a web page in Chrome

1. Open a tab in Chrome browser.
2. Right-click (on Mac, Control+click) on the web page  click Cast… 
   
3. Choose the device that you want to cast to.

Cast your laptop or desktop audio content

You can cast your desktop or laptop content. This is available on Mac, Windows and Chrome OS.

Important: You can only cast your desktop audio from Windows. If you cast your desktop from a Mac or Chrome OS computer, the contents of your screen will appear on your TV but you won’t hear any audio from your computer.

To cast your desktop or laptop audio content from the Chrome settings menu, follow these steps: 

1. If you’ve pinned the cast button to your toolbar, click the cast button  in the Chrome toolbar in the top-right corner of your browser. Otherwise, navigate to the Chrome settings menu in  the Chrome toolbar in the top-right corner of your browser click Cast….
   
2. Next to where it says, 'Cast to', click on the drop-down button to change the source selection.
   
3. Click Cast desktop.
   
4. Choose the Chromecast Audio device to which you want to cast.

 

How to know when content is casting

​The Cast button will turn blue  when it’s active. A glow will also appear around the button of the tab that is being cast.​

What you can cast

You can cast most web content. Sites using plug-ins, such as Silverlight, Quicktime and VLC, aren’t supported and this may result in a lack of sound.

How the audio and video plays

Videos and images for the selected tab will still appear on your computer. However, you’ll only hear sound from the selected tab on your speaker. Note: Sounds for other tabs and applications will continue to play on your computer.

How to change what tab to cast

1. Click the cast button .
2. Select the device you’re using to cast. A short description of Chromecast Audio’s current activity should appear.
3. Click the 'Cast this Tab' button to stop what’s showing and cast the current tab instead.

Shortcuts

• Switch to other tabs and/or applications while casting using the Alt-Tab (Mac: Command-Tab) keyboard shortcut.
• Close the Cast dialogue to return to the original tab.
• Click the Stop button or close the tab to stop casting.
• More keyboard shortcuts can be found in the Chromecast forum.   

 

If you're having trouble, try our Chromecast Audio troubleshooting tips.

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