Change your Chromecast's WiFi in settings, not by factory reset

You can change which WiFi network your Chromecast connects to without unplugging it or starting over. Open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the device, go to Settings, then WiFi, and select a new network. The whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need to reset the device or lose any of your saved shows and preferences.

The reason to know this: many people assume they have to factory reset when the WiFi changes — when they move, switch providers, or rename their network. That erases everything. The settings method keeps your device exactly as it was.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Google Home, find your Chromecast, tap Settings, then WiFi to see and change networks without resetting.
  • You need the WiFi password for the new network, even if you have already connected other devices to it.
  • If your Chromecast cannot see the new network, restart the device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • Changing networks keeps all your apps, preferences, and linked accounts — only the WiFi connection changes.

Step-by-step: changing your WiFi network

Start on your phone or tablet. Open the Google Home app (the colorful house icon). If you have multiple Chromecast devices, you will see them all listed. Tap the one you want to change.

At the top right of that device's card, tap the three dots (Settings). Scroll down and tap WiFi. You will see the network your Chromecast is currently on, marked as "Connected". Below that is a list of other networks in range. Tap the one you want to join.

When you tap the new network, a box will appear asking for the WiFi password. Type it in exactly as it is — capitals, numbers, and special characters all matter. Tap Connect. Your Chromecast will disconnect from the old network and join the new one. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

Once it reconnects, the Google Home app will show the new network name under that device. You are done. Cast something to test it — open YouTube or Netflix on your phone and send a video to the Chromecast to confirm it is working.

What to do if your Chromecast cannot find the network

If the network you want does not appear in the list, the Chromecast may be out of range or the router may not be broadcasting the network name. Move the Chromecast closer to the router and try again. If it still does not show up, restart the Chromecast: unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then open Google Home and try the WiFi change again.

If the network still will not appear after a restart, check that your router is actually broadcasting that network name. Some routers have a setting to hide the network name (called SSID broadcast). If yours is hidden, you can manually enter the network name and password in the Google Home app instead of selecting it from the list — tap "Add network" or "Other network" at the bottom of the WiFi list.

When you need the WiFi password even if you already know it

You may have connected your phone, laptop, or other devices to this WiFi network before, so you think you should not need the password again. Chromecast does not share saved passwords with your other devices. You have to enter it fresh each time you connect a new device, even if that device is in the same room as your phone.

If you do not remember the password, you can find it on your router. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself — it usually shows the network name and password. If the sticker is worn off or missing, log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 in a web browser) and look for the WiFi settings there. You will need the router's admin password for that, which may be different from the WiFi password.

Difference between changing WiFi and factory reset

Changing the WiFi network in Settings keeps everything else on your Chromecast intact: your Google account, any apps you have installed, your watch history, and any custom settings you have made. Only the WiFi connection changes.

A factory reset erases all of that and returns the device to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. You would have to set it up again from the beginning, sign back into your Google account, and reinstall any apps. Do a factory reset only if the device is not working properly or if you are giving it away. For a straightforward WiFi change, use the Settings method.

Troubleshooting: Chromecast connects but then drops the WiFi

If your Chromecast connects to the new network but keeps disconnecting, the problem is usually distance or interference. Move the Chromecast closer to the router. If that is not possible, check whether anything large or metal is between them — microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can interfere with WiFi on the 2.4 GHz band.

If moving it does not help, restart the Chromecast again (unplug for 30 seconds), and also restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds). Sometimes the two devices need to reconnect cleanly. If the problem continues after that, the router itself may have a problem — try connecting a different device to the same network to see if it also drops the connection.

Changing WiFi on older Chromecast models

The steps above work for Chromecast (3rd generation and newer), Chromecast with Google TV, and Chromecast Audio. If you have an older first or second generation Chromecast, the process is the same: open Google Home, tap the device, go to Settings, then WiFi. The interface looks slightly different but the steps are identical.

If you have a Chromecast built into a TV (like some Sony or LG models), the WiFi settings may be in the TV's own settings menu instead of the Google Home app. Check your TV's manual or search for the specific model number to find where WiFi settings are located.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my apps and watch history when I change WiFi?

No. Changing the WiFi network in Settings keeps everything on your Chromecast exactly as it was. Your apps, watch history, and linked accounts all stay. Only the WiFi connection changes. You only lose those things if you do a factory reset, which you should not do for a straightforward WiFi change.

Can I change WiFi if I do not have the Google Home app?

The Google Home app is the easiest way, but if you do not have it, you can also change WiFi by factory resetting the device and setting it up again on the new network. However, this erases everything, so it is worth downloading the free Google Home app instead — it takes two minutes and saves you from losing your preferences.

What if I changed the WiFi password but not the network name?

Your Chromecast will lose connection because the password no longer works. Open Google Home, go to Settings, WiFi, tap the same network name, and enter the new password. You do not need to do anything else.

Can I connect my Chromecast to a 5 GHz WiFi network instead of 2.4 GHz?

Yes, if your router broadcasts both bands. When you open the WiFi list in Google Home, you will see both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz versions of your network (they usually have the same name or names like "NetworkName" and "NetworkName-5G"). You can choose either one. The 5 GHz band is faster but has shorter range, so pick whichever one your Chromecast can reach reliably.

Why does the Google Home app say my Chromecast is offline after I changed the WiFi?

It usually takes 30 to 90 seconds for the Chromecast to fully connect to the new network and show as online in the app. Wait a couple of minutes and refresh the app. If it still shows offline after that, the Chromecast may not have connected successfully — go back to Settings, WiFi and try entering the password again, making sure there are no typos.