The Complete Guide to Casting from Windows PC to Chromecast (2026)

If you have a Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, or the newer Google TV Streamer plugged into your TV, your Windows PC can cast to it in several ways — no extra hardware needed. This guide covers every method, every app worth using, and how to fix the most common problems.

Before You Start: What You Need

• A Chromecast (any generation), Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer (4K), or any TV with Google Cast built in
• Your Windows PC and your Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network — this is the most common reason casting fails
• Google Chrome installed on your PC (free at google.com/chrome)
• Both devices updated to their latest software versions

That’s it. No special hardware, no paid subscription for basic casting.

Method 1: Cast from Google Chrome (Built-In, No App Needed)

The simplest way to cast from a Windows PC is built right into Chrome. No downloads, no setup beyond having Chrome installed.

Cast a Single Tab

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to the page or video you want to cast.
2. Click the three-dot menu (top right).
3. Click Cast, save, and share, then Cast…
4. Your Chromecast will appear in the list. Click it.
5. The current tab mirrors to your TV. Use your PC to control playback.

Tab casting works well for YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and most streaming sites. The video is rendered locally in Chrome and sent to the TV — quality is good but can vary with your Wi-Fi speed.

Cast Your Entire Desktop

1. Click the three-dot menu in Chrome, then Cast, save, and share > Cast…
2. In the Cast dialog, click the Sources dropdown.
3. Select Cast desktop.
4. Choose your Chromecast from the list.
5. Select which screen to share if you have multiple monitors, then click Share.

Desktop casting mirrors everything on your screen — useful for presentations, apps, games, or anything else. Audio is included. To stop, click Stop in the Chrome casting bar or the Cast dialog.

Cast from Microsoft Edge

Edge also supports Chromecast casting as of 2024. Click the three-dot menu, go to More tools, then select Cast media to device. The device list and casting options work the same as Chrome from this point.

Method 2: Stream Local Videos with Plex (Best for Personal Media Libraries)

If you have a large collection of movies, TV shows, or home videos stored on your PC, Plex is the most powerful way to cast them to your Chromecast.

Plex turns your Windows PC into a personal media server. Install Plex Media Server on your PC, point it at your video folders, and it organises everything into a polished library with artwork, descriptions, and subtitles. Then you can cast any of it to your Chromecast from the Plex website in Chrome, or from the Plex app on your phone.

• Free tier: Local streaming and casting to Chromecast is free
• Plex Pass ($4.99/month): Adds offline downloads, live TV recording, and hardware transcoding
• Supports MKV, MP4, AVI, and most other formats with automatic transcoding
• Download at plex.tv

Method 3: Stream Local Videos with VLC (Free, No Account Needed)

VLC Media Player added Chromecast support in version 3.0 and it has been stable since. If you want to cast a local file quickly without setting up a media server, VLC is the fastest option.

1. Open VLC (version 3.0 or later — download free at videolan.org).
2. Open the file you want to cast via Media > Open File.
3. Click the Playback menu and select Renderer.
4. Your Chromecast should appear in the list. Click it.
5. VLC will cast the video to your TV and continue controlling playback from your PC.

VLC handles nearly any file format, including MKV with embedded subtitles. It transcodes on the fly if needed. The latest stable release is version 3.0.23 (January 2026).

Method 4: PlayTo TV (Windows Store App)

PlayTo TV is a Windows app that supports casting to Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and DLNA devices. You can stream content from the internet or play local files directly from your PC.

PlayTo TV for Windows

• Free with optional in-app purchases
• Supports Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, DLNA/UPnP
• Install from the Microsoft Store

Method 5: AV Cast (Windows Store App)

AV Cast is a free Windows Store app designed specifically for Chromecast and Google Cast devices. It lets you cast compatible songs, images, and videos from your Windows PC to any Google Cast device on your network.

AV Cast App

• Free
• Simple, straightforward interface
• Install from the Microsoft Store

Method 6: Video Caster

Video Caster casts videos directly to any Chromecast or Google Cast device from Windows. It handles local files and online streams.

Video Caster App

• Free and paid tiers
• Install from the Microsoft Store

Method 7: Videostream (Chrome Extension)

Videostream is a Chrome extension that lets you stream local video files from your Windows PC to your Chromecast in up to 1080p. It is not a native Windows app, but it works very well for streaming downloaded videos without needing a full media server like Plex.

• Free tier available; paid tier removes ads and adds subtitle support
• Supports Chromecast, Android TV, Shield, and other Google Cast devices
• Install from the Chrome Web Store

Method 8: Playcast (Paid, Windows Store)

Playcast is a full-featured media player and caster for Windows. It handles videos, music, and photos and supports Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, Apple TV (AirPlay), DLNA Smart TVs, Miracast, Xbox, and more.

Playcast app for Windows

• Paid app
• Multi-room Chromecast Audio support
• Install from the Microsoft Store

Method 9: Screen Mirror to Chromecast (Paid, Windows Store)

If you specifically want to mirror your entire Windows desktop to a Chromecast-enabled TV without using Chrome, this dedicated screen mirroring app does the job.

Screen Mirror to Chromecast

• Paid app
• Mirrors the full desktop, not just a browser tab

Method 10: DoCast (Free, Lightweight)

DoCast is a newer free, open-source casting tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux that mimics the Chromecast protocol directly. It is a good choice if you want a lightweight tool for quick desktop casting without installing Chrome or a full app suite.

• Free and open source
• Works with Chromecast, Fire TV, and Google Cast devices
• Good for developers, presenters, and anyone who wants a minimal no-account-required option

What About the Google Home App on Windows?

The Google Home app is available on Windows (via the Microsoft Store) as of 2023. It lets you manage your Chromecast devices, check what’s playing, adjust settings, and reboot devices — but it does not stream content directly from your PC. Think of it as a remote control and device manager rather than a casting tool.

You still need Chrome, Plex, VLC, or one of the apps above to send content from your PC to the TV.

Which Method Should You Use?

• Quickest start: Cast from Chrome — no downloads needed if Chrome is already installed
• Local video files (MKV, AVI, MP4): VLC for a one-off cast; Plex if you want a full library
• Entire desktop mirroring: Chrome desktop cast (free) or Screen Mirror to Chromecast (paid, more stable)
• Streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify): Cast the Chrome tab — most services have a native cast button in the browser player too
• Presentations and work: Chrome desktop cast or DoCast

Troubleshooting: Chromecast Not Showing Up on Windows

If your Chromecast doesn’t appear in the Cast device list, work through these fixes in order.

1. Check the Wi-Fi network. Your Windows PC and Chromecast must be on the exact same network. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks with different names, make sure both devices are on the same one.
2. Disable your VPN. Chromecast cannot communicate with a PC through a VPN or proxy. Disconnect it before casting.
3. Update Chrome. Go to the three-dot menu, then Help > About Google Chrome. Chrome will update automatically if there’s a newer version.
4. Check Windows firewall. Your firewall may be blocking Chrome’s ability to find the Chromecast. Temporarily disable the firewall to test. If that fixes it, add Chrome as a firewall exception.
5. Turn on Network Discovery. Go to Start > Settings > Network and Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings and make sure Network discovery and File and printer sharing are turned on for private networks.
6. Reboot everything. Restart your PC, your Chromecast (unplug and replug), and your router. Then try again.
7. Try Chrome flags. In the Chrome address bar, go to chrome://flags and enable both Connect to Cast devices on all IP addresses and Allow all sites to initiate mirroring. Restart Chrome.
8. Check antivirus software. Some antivirus tools block mDNS discovery, which Chrome uses to find Chromecast devices. Add Chrome to the exclusion list, or temporarily disable the antivirus to test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast 4K video from Windows to Chromecast?

Tab and desktop casting from Chrome is limited to 1080p. For 4K, use a streaming service that has native 4K Chromecast support (like Netflix or YouTube) and cast from within the site’s own player rather than casting the desktop.

Does casting work on Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E networks?

Yes. All current Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer support Wi-Fi 6. Casting performance is generally better on newer routers due to lower latency and less interference.

Can I cast from Windows without the Chrome browser?

Yes — VLC, Plex, Videostream, Playcast, and DoCast all cast without Chrome. Microsoft Edge also supports Chromecast casting natively as of 2024.

Can I cast audio only from Windows?

Yes. If you have a Chromecast Audio or a Chromecast plugged into a receiver, you can cast Spotify, YouTube Music, or any audio playing in Chrome to it. Playcast also supports multi-room Chromecast Audio casting.

Does the Google TV Streamer (4K) work the same as Chromecast for casting from Windows?

Yes. The Google TV Streamer supports all the same casting methods as Chromecast. It appears in the Chrome Cast device list and works with all the apps listed here.