How to update Chromecast
As well as the computers, smartphones and tablets we use every day, even the devices we connect to our televisions need software updates. Thanks to software updates, the devices in question acquire new features, become more secure (as updates correct the security holes that are detected in them) and offer better performance. Google’s Chromecast is no exception.
If you are one of the many users who bought the dongle produced by the Mountain View giant, you are trying to configure it to the best and you need information on how to update it, know that you have come to the right place at the right time! In fact, with today’s tutorial, I’ll explain how to check the latest version of Chromecast firmware, how to update Chromecast automatically or manually and how to participate in a special program that allows you to receive preview updates. It’s all very simple, as you’ll find explained below. Enjoy reading and have fun!
Note: I for the guide I will use a 1st generation Chromecast updated to firmware version 1.29.104827, but the indications in the article are to be considered valid also for the most recent models of Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast Audio regardless of the version of firmware installed on them.
Index – How To Update Chromecast
- Check the Chromecast firmware version – How To Update Chromecast
- Update the Chromecast firmware – How To Update Chromecast
Forced Chromecast update – How To Update Chromecast
Update Chromecast to the Preview Program – How To Update Chromecast - In case of problems – How To Update Chromecast
Check the Chromecast firmware version
Does your Chromecast need an update? You can easily find out by comparing the firmware version installed on your device with the latest version released by Google, which is reported on the official Chromecast support site.
For starters, start the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device, press the Devices icon located at the top right (the screen with the cash box next to it) and find the name of your Chromecast (eg Living Room) on the page that opens. At this point, tap the button with the three vertical dots that is in front of the name of Chrome and select the item Settings from the menu that opens: you will see a screen with, at the bottom, next to the written version of Google Cast firmware, the firmware version currently installed on the device.
Now, to find out if the firmware version installed on your Chromecast matches the latest version released by Google, linked to this page of official Chromecast support, move to the Current version of the production firmware section and find the Chromecast model you have (eg Chromecast (first generation), Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra).
If the firmware version next to your Chromecast model name matches the one shown in the Google Home app, it means the device does not need to be updated. If, however, the two versions do not match, you should soon receive the update automatically on your Chromecast. If not, try to start a forced update of the device as reported in the appropriate chapter of this tutorial.
Update the Chromecast firmware
If the firmware version installed on your Chromecast is less recent than on the Google site, you just have to wait: the device should update itself in a matter of days. Just make sure your Chromecast is connected to the TV, the power supply (or a USB port on your TV, if you have a Chromecast or a Generation Chromecast) and connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
To check if your Wi-Fi connection is enabled on Chromecast, check to see if your Wi-Fi network name (bottom left) appears on the device’s home screen or alternatively, launch the Google Home app on the your Android or iOS device, brought in the Devices menu (top right), presses the button with the three vertical dots that is in front of the Chromecast name and select the Settings item from the menu that appears: if the “key” is connected to the Wi-Fi network, you will find the name of the network under the heading Wi-Fi. If the connection is not active, try restarting Chromecast by pressing the icon with the three vertical dots located at the top right and selecting Restart from the menu that opens.
During the Chromecast upgrade phase, you will see a screen on your TV screen with the progress of downloading and installing the update. Also, the LED on the device will start to flash red (1st generation Chromecast) or orange (Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra). The whole process should not take more than 10 minutes and should not require user intervention. In the end, the Chromecast automatically restarts to be ready to send the contents again.
If the update is to last longer, make sure that Chromecast is not too far from the router you use to connect to the Internet and that there are no connection problems (check, then, with other devices if the connection is working).
Forced Chromecast update
Although several days have passed since the release of new firmware, does your Chromecast not update? Are you in a hurry and would you like to upgrade Chromecast without waiting for the automatic update install? In this case, you can force the device to update by issuing a command from the Windows PowerShell or the macOS (or Linux) terminal.
If you’re using a Windows PC, all you need to do is make sure your computer is connected to the same Chromecast Wi-Fi network and the Chromecast is on, then you need to open Windows PowerShell (just look for it in the Windows Start menu) and give it the following command. Instead of [IP Chromecast] you must enter the local IP address of your Chromecast.
Invoke-WebRequest -Method Post -ContentType “application / json” -Body ‘{“params”: “ota foreground”}’ -Uri “http: // [IP Chromecast]: 8008 / setup / reboot” -Verbose -UserAgent ” curl “
If, however, you are using a Mac or a computer equipped with Linux, to force the Chromecast update you have to open the Terminal and give the following command. Instead of [IP Chromecast] enter the local IP address of your Chromecast.
curl -X POST -H “Content-Type: application / json” -d ‘{“params”: “ota
To find the IP address of your Chromecast, start the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device, go to the Devices menu (top right), press the button with the three vertical dots placed in front of the Chromecast name and select the item Settings from the menu that appears: you will find the IP address of the device at the bottom of the screen that will open.
Note: if the screen stays on the message Retrieving the update in progress, most likely there are no updates to install. In that case, you can restart Chromecast via the Google Home app as I’ve explained to you previously.
Update Chromecast to the Preview Program
Google offers the chance to try out some preview features of Chromecast: just subscribe to the Preview Program and, instead of the traditional firmware updates of the device, you begin to receive updates in preview version with features that will be introduced only in the future in the stable version of software.
To sign up for the Chromecast Preview Program, open the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device, press the Devices icon (top right), tap the button with the three vertical dots in front of the name of your Chromecast and select the Settings item from the menu that appears.
At this point, select the Program Preview item from the Google Home app menu, tap the button Subscribe to the program and you’re done. Membership of the program will be confirmed by an on-screen warning and a message that you will automatically receive in your inbox.
If you change your mind, you can remove your account (and therefore your Chromecast) from the Preview Program by launching the Google Home app, going back to the Devices> Settings> Program Preview menu and pressing the Exit program button. Easier than that?!
In case of problems
Despite my indications, have not you been able to update Chromecast yet? Is the update process freezing and the software is not installed correctly on the device? Do not despair, there are several attempts you can make to solve the problem.
- Restart Chromecast – a reboot of the Chromecast could allow a new download and then a correct installation of the updates. To restart Chromecast, launch the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet, go to the Devices menu (top right), tap the button with the three vertical dots facing the name of your Chromecast and choose the voice Settings from the menu that opens. At this point, presses the icon with the three vertical dots located at the top right and select the item Restart from the menu that opens.
- Turn off Chromecast forcibly – if the reboot is not performed by Chromecast, remove the device from its power source (the power outlet or the TV’s USB port), wait a minute and reconnect it. Forced shutdown of the device could lead to a new download and then a successful installation of updates.
- Return Chromecast to factory status – if Chromecast’s reboot and shutdown does not work, all you have to do is bring the device back to the factory state. To do this, start the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet, press the Devices icon (top right), tap the button with the three vertical dots that is opposite the name of your Chromecast and choose the Settings item from the menu that opens. At this point, press the icon with the three vertical dots located at the top right and select the item Restore factory data from the menu that opens. If some steps are not clear to you and / or you need more information on how to reset Chromecast, check out my tutorial on the subject.
How to update Chromecast