Chromecast is a device that allows you to stream media (Such as music, video, and images) from your laptop, phone, or tablet to a TV or other display within an HDMI port. It works by creating a connection between your device and the Chromecast, which is then plugged into the HDMI port on your TV.
Once the connection is established, you can use your device
as a remote control to select and play media on the TV. Chromecast supports a
wide range of apps, including Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and many others, and is
compatible with both Android and IOS devices.
To project your laptop screen to a TV using s Chromecast
device, you will need to ensure that your laptop and Chromecast are connected
to the same Wi-Fi network. Then follow these steps:
- Open
the Google Chrome Browser on your laptop. If you do not have a Chrome
browser installed, click here to download and install one from their
download page.
- Click
on the three dots in the upper right corner of the window to open the
Chrome menu.
- From
the list of options in the settings, select “Cast” from the menu.
- A
“Cast’ window will appear. If your Chromecast device is connected to the
same network as your laptop, it should appear in the list of available
devices.
- Select
your Chromecast device from the list. For example, when I do it from my
laptop, my TV is displayed on the available devices as “TV47”.
- Choose
whether you want to “Cast the tab”, “Cast the desktop”, or “Cast a file”
from the options provided. If you select “Cast the Tab”, the Chrome
browser tab that is opened will be the only one shared with your TV. If
you select, “Cast the desktop”, your entire desktop will be shown, meaning
that anything you open will be displayed on your TV screen.
- Click
“start” to begin casting your screen on the TV.
If you are having trouble connecting your Laptop and
Chromecast, you may need to check that both devices are on the same WI-FI
network and that your Chromecast is set up correctly. You can also try
restarting both your laptop and Chromecast to see if that helps resolve any
connectivity issues.
Note: when you project your screen to your TV, you risk also
sharing information that might be sensitive, like passwords. So ensure that you
disconnect the connection when you input passwords to sites when you are screen
sharing to your TV.
How to connect Your TV and Chromecast device to the same Network
Connecting both devices to the same network is essential for
this process to be successful. Doing this is very easy, and can be done in the
following ways:
Using your Wi-Fi router
If you have a Wi-Fi router in your house, you can connect
your TV to the network. In most TVs, you will need to access the “Settings”
menu, and then the “Connections” option. You will then need to connect to your
network and input your password. Also, ensure that you connect your laptop to
the network. You can also connect both of them using an ethernet cable.
Using your smartphone hotspot
You can also connect both devices using your smartphone’s hotspot. Most smartphones’ hotspot can be found in the settings menu, and network section. You do not require data bundles to perform this connection.