Chromecast LED light

Chromecast has an LED light on the side of the device that visually explains what the device is doing. The following table shows the different LED status indicators and what the states mean. Choose your device below.

Chromecast with Google TV

Description of LED light	What this means
Solid white	Chromecast is connected to the network and ready to begin casting content, or is already casting content.
Solid white (dim)	Chromecast is in an idle state.
Pulsing white	Chromecast is disconnected or needs to be set up.
Alternating pulsing white and orange	Chromecast is receiving an update and is not available for casting. You can begin casting once the update is finished and the LED status has turned solid white. Do not disconnect your device from the power source.
Blinking orange	Chromecast is performing a short self-diagnostic check and is temporarily unavailable.
Blinking orange and then turns white after a few seconds	Chromecast is being or has just been reset. Learn how to factory reset your Chromecast.

For Chromecast (2nd gen), Chromecast (3rd gen), and Chromecast Ultra

LED status	LED indicator meaning
Solid white	Chromecast is connected to the network and is ready to begin casting content, or is already casting content.
Pulsing white	Chromecast is disconnected or needs to be set up.
Pulsing orange (during update process)	Chromecast is receiving an update and is not available for casting. You can begin casting once the update is finished and the LED status has turned solid white. Do not disconnect your Chromecast from the power source.
Pulsing orange and black TV screen	If there’s a pulsing orange LED light on your Chromecast device and a black TV screen, try the first step below and check if it resolves the issue. If it doesn't, move on to the next steps: Unplug your Chromecast from the power source, wait about one minute, and then plug it back in. Power off your TV. Plug your Chromecast into another TV. Perform a factory reset.
Solid orange	There may be an error with your device. Unplug your Chromecast from the power source, wait about one minute, and then plug it back in. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, perform a factory reset.

For Chromecast (1st gen)

LED status	LED indicator meaning
Solid white	Chromecast is connected to the network and is ready to begin casting content, or is already casting content.
Pulsing white	Chromecast is disconnected or needs to be set up.
Pulsing red (during update process)	Chromecast is receiving an update and is not available for casting. You can begin casting once the update is finished and the LED status has turned solid white. Do not disconnect your Chromecast from the power source.
Pulsing red and black TV screen	If there’s a pulsing red LED light on your Chromecast device and a black TV screen, try the first step below and check if it resolves the issue. If it doesn't, move on to the next steps: Unplug your Chromecast from the power source, wait about one minute, and then plug it back in. Use the HDMI extender provided with your Chromecast device if you have one. Plug your Chromecast into another TV. Perform a factory reset.
Solid red	There may be an error with your device. Unplug your Chromecast from the power source, wait about one minute, and then plug it back in. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, perform a factory reset.

Support for Chromecast (1st gen) has ended, which means these devices no longer receive software or security updates, and Google does not provide technical support for them. Users may notice a degradation in performance.

Here's more info on why your Chromecast update may be taking longer than expected.