How to factory reset your Chromecast

To factory reset Chromecast devices of the newest generations, the simplest method involves pressing one button on the device. After returning your Chromecast to default factory settings, all of your data and personalized info will have been wiped and cannot be recovered. With that in mind, follow these steps to reset your Chromecast.

1. Make sure the Chromecast is plugged into your TV and powered on.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the Chromecast until the Chromecast LED light starts blinking yellow.
3. Continue to hold the button until the LED light stops blinking and turns white.
4. Release the button and wait until the Chromecast has finished resetting.

Once you’ve gone through the setup process, following the steps appearing on your TV screen, your device will be ready to use.

You can also perform a reset using your Chromecast voice remote. To do this, take the batteries out of your voice remote and then, while holding down the power button, reinsert the batteries. Once the LED light stops blinking, you can release the button, and the reset will finish.

If you have a Chromecast Ultra, you can perform a reset using the Google Home app, or using the factory reset button.

Through the Google Home app

You can use the Google Home app to perform a reset. The device on which the app is installed must be using the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Follow the instructions below.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap “Settings” > “More” > “Factory reset” > “Factory reset.”
4. Wait until the reset is complete and then set up your Chromecast Ultra.

Through the Chromecast Ultra device

If you don’t have access to the Google Home app, you can still reset your Chromecast Ultra through the device itself.

1. Make sure the Chromecast Ultra is plugged into your TV and is powered on.
2. Press and hold the button on the side of the Chromecast Ultra until the Chromecast light starts blinking orange.
3. Continue to hold the button until the light stops blinking and turns white.
4. Release the button and wait until the Chromecast Ultra has finished resetting.

The process for resetting the third generation Chromecast is the same as for the Chromecast Ultra, and can be carried out on the Google Home app or via the device itself.

Through the Google Home app

You can use the Google Home app to perform a reset. The device on which the app is installed must be using the same network as the Chromecast. Follow the instructions below to perform the reset.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap “Settings” > “More” > “Factory reset” > “Factory reset.”
4. Wait until the reset is complete and then set up your third generation Chromecast.

Through the third generation Chromecast device

To reset your third generation Chromecast using the device button, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the third generation Chromecast is plugged into your TV and powered on.
2. Press and hold the button on the side of the Chromecast until the Chromecast light starts blinking orange.
3. Continue to hold the button until the light stops blinking and turns white.
4. Release the button and wait until the Chromecast has finished resetting.

You can reset your second generation Chromecast by following the steps below, either using the Google Home application or the device buttons. These steps also work for third generation Chromecasts and Chromecast Ultras.

Through the Google Home app

You can use the Google Home application to perform a reset, but the device on which the app is installed must be using the same network as your second generation Chromecast. Carry out the steps below to complete your reset.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap “Settings” > “More” > “Factory reset” > “Factory reset.”
4. Wait until the reset is complete and then set up your second generation Chromecast.

Through the second generation Chromecast device

You can perform a reset on your second generation Chromecast without using the Google Home application, of course. To do so, just follow these instructions:

1. Make sure the second generation Chromecast is plugged into your TV and powered on.
2. Press and hold the button on the side of the Chromecast until the Chromecast light starts blinking orange.
3. Continue to hold the button until the light stops blinking and turns white.
4. Release the button and wait until the Chromecast has finished resetting.

If you have a first generation Chromecast, you can reset it using either Google Home, or a button on the device. It is important to note that first generation Chromecast devices are no longer supported by Google and so software and firmware cannot be updated with the latest security patches. As a result, they are less safe to use than later generations.

Through the Google Home app

As with other models, you can use the Google Home application to reset the first generation Chromecast, provided the device on which the app is installed uses the same network as the first generation Chromecast.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap and hold your device’s tile.
3. Tap “Settings” > “More” > “Factory reset” > “Factory reset.”
4. Wait until the reset is complete and then set up your first generation Chromecast.

Through the first generation Chromecast device

The process for resetting a first generation Chromecast via the device is similar to other models, but not exactly the same. Follow these steps to complete your reset.

1. Make sure the first generation Chromecast is plugged into your TV and is powered on.
2. Press and hold the button on the side of the Chromecast for 25 seconds.
3. After 25 seconds, or when the Chromecast light flashes red, the device will restart.
4. Release the button and wait until the Chromecast has finished resetting.

You might want to reset your Chromecast for a variety of reasons, from technical troubleshooting to solving security threats.

• Troubleshooting Chromecast errors. If your Chromecast is not working or is regularly crashing and experiencing bugs, a factory reset is likely to solve the problem. If it doesn’t, this might suggest an issue elsewhere, perhaps on the device that your Chromecast is connected to.
• Selling or giving your Chromecast away. If you plan to sell or give your Chromecast away, you should perform a factory reset. This will remove all your own data and personalized settings, giving the new user a clean slate and protecting your own privacy.
• Performance optimization. Even if there are no specific bugs or errors on your Chromecast, performance may slow down over time as the device saves more data. A factory reset should completely wipe the Chromecast’s data storage, potentially improving speed and performance.
• Preventing cyber threats. If you think your Chromecast is being targeted by hackers, malware, or any kind of unauthorized access, performing a full factory reset can prevent threats from escalating. As a further precaution, reset your Wi-Fi password if you think your network is at risk, and get NordVPN for Chromecast to encrypt data moving to and from the device.