Chromecast has no signal or only shows a black screen

If your TV screen is black or you're not getting a signal when trying to set up or use your Chromecast device, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Initial troubleshooting

  1. Make sure the Chromecast is plugged using the power cord and power adapter that came with the Chromecast. The Chromecast should be plugged in directly to a power source.
  2. The LED light on the side of the Chromecast should be lit up.
  3. Make sure the TV is tuned to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast. On most remotes, this is done using the Input, Source, or Menu button. You may have to cycle through a few inputs before finding the correct one (Example: HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.).
  4. If the TV still only shows a black screen after completing the above steps, reboot your Chromecast. 
    1. To reboot your Chromecast, unplug the power cord from the Chromecast device. Leave it unplugged for 1 minute before plugging the power cord back in. Note: Unplugging the Chromecast from the TV’s HDMI port does not reboot the device. It must be disconnected from the power source in order to reboot.

Next steps

If your screen is still black after the reboot, choose what best describes what your TV screen and Chromecast device are showing:

Black screen and white (solid or blinking) LED light
Try the following steps: Power off your TV
  1. Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
  2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
  3. Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
  6. Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
  7. If the TV still only shows a black screen, try the step below. 
Test the Chromecast on another TV, if available

If you have another TV with an HDMI display, try setting up the Chromecast on that TV. 

Are you still having problems? Help the Chromecast team better understand what you're experiencing by completing this short survey and feedback report. Your input will help our engineers investigate and find a fix. Take the short survey
Black screen and red or orange (solid) LED light

Try the following steps:

Use the power cord that came with the Chromecast

It’s recommended that you use the provided power cord and adapter that came with the Chromecast.
Plug the power cord that came with the Chromecast into a power source and verify that the power cord and power adapter have a secure connection.
If the TV still only shows a black screen, try the step below. 
Power off your TV
  1. Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
  2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
  3. Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
  6. Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
  7. If the TV still only shows a black screen, try the step below. 
Factory reset your Chromecast

Important: Performing a factory reset should be a last step.

When you perform a factory reset, it resets the Chromecast device to its default factory settings. You will need to set up the device, re-connect to Wi-Fi, and set up your Ambient Mode settings again (if applicable). If you've made any changes to your router settings since setting up your Chromecast device, it may affect your ability to set up the device again.

You can perform a factory reset on your Chromecast by using one of the two methods listed below.

Important: This action will clear your data and can't be undone.

From the Chromecast device

Chromecast (1st Gen) Chromecast (1st generation)

  1. While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV, hold down the button on the Chromecast device for at least 25 seconds or until the solid LED light turns into a flashing red light.
  2. Once the LED light turns blinking white and the TV goes blank, release the button. The device will begin the reboot sequence.

 Chromecast (2nd generation), Chromecast, or Chromecast Ultra

While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV, hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast. The LED will begin blinking orange. When the LED light turns white, release the button and the Chromecast will begin the reboot sequence.

From the Google Home app

Chromecast (1st Gen) Chromecast (1st generation)

From the Google Home app

Note: This option is only available if you still have access to the network your Chromecast was set up on.  

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your Chromecast device and then Settings .
  3. At the top right, tap More More menu and then Factory reset  and then Factory reset.

From the Chromecast device

  1. While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV, hold down the button on the Chromecast device for at least 25 seconds or until the solid LED light turns into a flashing red light.
  2. Once the LED light turns blinking white and the TV goes blank, release the button. The device will begin the reboot sequence.
Chromecast (2nd generation), Chromecast, or Chromecast Ultra

From the Google Home app

Note: This option is only available if you still have access to the network your Chromecast was set up on.  

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your Chromecast device and then Settings .
  3. At the top right, tap More More menu and then Factory reset  and then Factory reset.

From the Chromecast device

While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV, hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast. The LED will begin blinking orange. When the LED light turns white, release the button and the Chromecast will begin the reboot sequence.

Black screen and red or orange (blinking) LED light
Power off your TV
  1. Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
  2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
  3. Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
  6. Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
  7. If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below. 
Test the Chromecast on another HDMI TV

If you have another HDMI TV, try to set up your Chromecast on that TV.

Are you still having problems? Help the Chromecast team better understand what you're experiencing by completing this short survey and feedback report. Your input will help our engineers investigate and find a fix. Take the short survey
Black screen with no LED light

If you have tried powering the Chromecast from both the power source and from the USB port and have no LED light on the device:

  1. Make sure the USB port is functional for other devices (Example: try plugging in your phone to the outlet or USB and check if it charges).
  2. Try to power on the Chromecast from another power source (Example: wall outlet).
  3. Try a different power cord (USB-to-micro-USB cable and adapter) than the one that came in the box with the Chromecast device.

"Chromecast...", followed by the spinning Chrome logo

If your TV shows "Chromecast...", followed by the spinning Chrome logo, and then followed by a black screen, follow the steps below:

Power off your TV

  1. Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
  2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the power source disconnect it.
  3. Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
  6. Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
  7. If the TV still only shows a black screen, try the step below. 

Test the Chromecast on another HDMI TV

If you have another HDMI TV, try to set up your Chromecast on that TV.

 Are you still having problems? Help the Chromecast team better understand what you're experiencing by completing this short survey and feedback report. Your input will help our engineers investigate and find a fix.

Take the short survey

No Signal error and blinking red or orange LED light
Power off your TV
  1. Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
  2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
  3. Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
  4. Wait 30 seconds.
  5. Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
  6. Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
  7. If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below. 
Test the Chromecast on another HDMI TV

If you have another HDMI TV, try to set up your Chromecast on that TV.

Are you still having problems? Help the Chromecast team better understand what you're experiencing by completing this short survey and feedback report. Your input will help our engineers investigate and find a fix. Take the short survey

If you're still having trouble setting up your Chromecast, contact Chromecast Support Team. 

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