TV has no signal or only shows a black screen

If your TV screen is black or you're unable to get a signal when you try to set up or use your Chromecast device, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Initial troubleshooting

1. Make sure the Chromecast is plugged directly into a power source. Use the power cord and adapter that came with the Chromecast.
2. Make sure the TV is set to the HDMI input your Chromecast is plugged into, for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
3. If the TV still only shows a black screen, reboot your Chromecast: Unplug the Chromecast power cord wait one minute plug the cord back in.
   • Note: Make sure to unplug the power cord, not the HDMI cable plugged into the TV.
4. If the TV still only shows a black screen, remove all HDMI devices plugged into the TV, then unplug the TV power cord for 30 minutes.

Next steps

If your screen is still black, follow the steps below.

Chromecast with Google TV

Black screen with HDMI connection

If you get an HDMI error on your Chromecast with Google TV, try these steps:

1. Make sure the HDMI cable fits firmly into the TV's HDMI port.
2. Try a different HDMI input, for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
3. Use a compatible HDMI extension cable.
   • Note: For Chromecast with Google TV (4K), the extension cable must support 4K and HDMI 2.0.
4. If you get the HDMI error while using a specific application, make sure the app is updated to the latest version.
5. Make sure your Chromecast has the latest firmware version.
6. Make sure your TV has the latest firmware version.

Black screen with HDCP connection

If you get an HDCP error on your Chromecast with Google TV, try these steps:

1. Unplug your Chromecast from the TV, AVR, or soundbar.
2. Reboot your Chromecast and the TV, AVR or soundbar.
3. Reconnect Chromecast. Make sure the HDMI cable connection fits firmly into the TV's HDMI port.
4. Check whether you can now view your content.

If this issue persists:

1. Try a different HDMI input, for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
2. If you're using an HDMI switch, AVR, or soundbar, connect your Chromecast directly to your TV.
3. Make sure your Chromecast has the latest firmware version.
4. Make sure your TV has the latest firmware version.

Any Chromecast device

Black screen and white (solid or blinking) LED light

Try the following steps:

Turn off your TV

1. Shut down the TV completely by turning off and disconnecting the power cord from the power source.
2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port. If the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
3. Turn on the TV, then reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device. Don't put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
4. Wait for 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 there are multiple ports available on the TV, try steps 1-6 with a different HDMI port
8. 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 to set 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. 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.

Turn off your TV

1. Shut down the TV completely (turn off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port. If the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
3. Turn 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 for 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 the last step.

When you perform a factory reset, it resets the Chromecast device to its default factory settings. You'll need to set up the device, reconnect 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 using one of the 2 methods listed below.

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

 Chromecast with Google TV

With the Chromecast Voice Remote

1. In the upper right of your TV screen, select your profile Settings .
2. Select System About Factory Reset.

From the Chromecast device

1. While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV and powered, press and hold the button on the back of the Chromecast. The LED should start to blink yellow. 
2. When the LED light turns solid white, release the button, and the Chromecast should then reset.

 Chromecast (2nd gen), Chromecast (3rd gen), 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 .
2. Touch and hold your device's tile.
3. At the top right, tap Settings   More   Factory reset  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 should begin to blink orange. When the LED light turns white, release the button and the Chromecast should then restart.

 Chromecast (1st gen)

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 .
2. Touch and hold your device's tile.
3. At the top right, tap Settings   More   Factory reset  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 flashes red.
2. Once the LED light blinks white and the TV goes blank, release the button. The device should then restart.

Black screen and red or orange (blinking) LED light

Turn off your TV

1. Shut down the TV completely (turn off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port. If the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
3. Turn 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 for 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 to power 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 to plug in your phone to the outlet or USB and check if it charges).
2. Try to turn 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:

Turn off your TV

1. Shut down the TV completely (turn off and disconnect the power cord from the power source).
2. Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port. If the Chromecast is plugged into the power source, disconnect it.
3. Turn 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 for 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

Turn off your TV

1. Shut down the TV completely (turn 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. Turn 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.