I see a black screen / I have no signal
Initial troubleshooting
- 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 wall outlet.
- The LED light on the side of the Chromecast should be lit up.
- 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 (e.g. HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.).
- If you still see a black screen after completing the above steps, reboot your Chromecast.
- 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 you're seeing on your TV screen and Chromecast device from the list below:
Black screen + White (solid or blinking) LED light- Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet).
- Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the wall outlet, disconnect it.
- Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
- Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
- If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
Trying using the HDMI extender that came with your Chromecast device to improve connection. If you were already using it, try removing the HDMI extender to see if that makes a difference.
If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
If you have another TV with an HDMI display, try setting up the Chromecast on that TV.
If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
- Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet).
- Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the wall outlet, disconnect it.
- Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
- Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
- If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
Important! Performing a factory data reset should be a last step.
The FDR will reset 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 Backdrop settings again (if applicable) after the FDR process is complete. 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.
Perform a factory data reset (FDR) of your Chromecast using one of the two methods listed below:
Chromecast (1st generation)
- While the Chromecast is plugged into the TV, hold down the button on the side of the Chromecast. The LED will begin blinking red. When the LED light turns white, release the button and the Chromecast will begin the reboot sequence.
Chromecast
- 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.
- Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet).
- Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the wall outlet, disconnect it.
- Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
- Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
- If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below.
Use the HDMI extender that came with the Chromecast device to improve connection. If you were already using it, try removing the HDMI extender to see if that makes a difference.
If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below.
If you have another HDMI TV, try setting up your Chromecast on that TV.
If you have tried powering the Chromecast from both the wall outlet and from the USB port and have no LED light on the device:
- Make sure the outlet/USB port is functional for other devices (for example: try plugging in your phone to the outlet or USB and see if it charges).
- Try powering the Chromecast from another power source (ie. wall outlet).
- Try a different power cord (USB-to-micro-USB cable and adapter) than the one that came in the box with the Chromecast device.
- Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet).
- Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the wall outlet, disconnect it.
- Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
- Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
- If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
Use the HDMI extender that came with the Chromecast device to improve connection. If you were already using it, try removing the HDMI extender to see if that makes a difference.
If you still see a black screen, try the step below.
If you have another HDMI TV, try setting up the Chromecast on that TV.
- Shut down the TV completely (power off and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet).
- Disconnect the Chromecast from the HDMI port and if the Chromecast is plugged into the wall outlet, disconnect it.
- Power on the TV and reconnect the power source to the Chromecast device but do not put the Chromecast into the TV HDMI port.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the TV.
- Change the TV to the same HDMI input as the Chromecast.
- If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below.
Use the HDMI extender that came with the Chromecast device to improve connection. If you were already using it, try removing the HDMI extender to see if that makes a difference.
If you still aren't getting a signal, try the step below.
If you have another HDMI TV, try setting up your Chromecast on that TV.
If you're still having trouble setting up your Chromecast, please contact Chromecast Support Team.
Elise is a Chromecast expert and author of this help page. Leave her feedback below about the page.