How to Update Chromecast Firmware to the Latest Version (2021)

Why do you need to update your Chromecast software and firmware to the latest version? The answer is obvious. You need the updates to fix the bugs and improve the performance of your device.

On a regular basis, Google released an update for Chromecast with Google TV. And the most recent update was published on June 10, 2021, with a build number: 210311.008 7350836. This update brings some enhancements and bug fixes that your device needs.

In this post, you will learn how to update Chromecast software/firmware to the latest version. Including how to check your firmware version manually and what to do if the progress is taking longer than usual.

Let’s dive right in!

Contents hide

1 How to Update Chromecast Software and Firmware to the Latest Version

1.1 How to Check your Firmware Version Manually

1.2 What will you get in the last update?

1.3 What to do if Chromecast update is taking longer than usual?

2 Conclusions

2.1 Related posts:

How to Update Chromecast Software and Firmware to the Latest Version

Basically, your Google Chromecast will perform the firmware or software update automatically. The device will do regular checking when it’s turned on and connected to the Wifi. And whenever there is an update, it will automatically download and install the update. There is nothing you can do, but wait until the process is completed.

This is done as a part of the setup in order to keep you get the latest and greatest feature updates effortlessly.

Here are some conditions that you should know when you update your Chromecast:

The LED light will be blinking red when it is receiving the update.
The updating process usually takes approximately 10 minutes.
Google Chromecast is not able to cast during updates.
The setup progress can be done via your Google Home app.
When installing the updates, your TV will display a blue screen with a spinner and a percentage progress bar in yellow.
A message “Ready to Cast” will appear on your TV screen once the update is complete and the Google Home app will recognize your Chromecast device on it.

Note: Make sure you have a fast and stable Wifi network before applying the update because the progress will take longer than usual if your connection is slow.

How to Check your Firmware Version Manually

If you are not sure whether you have received the latest update, you are able to check Google Chromecast’s firmware version manually.

Here’s how:

Connect your phone to the same Wifi network as your Chromecast device.
Open the Google Home app on your phone.
Tap your streaming device and go to Settings.
Scroll down and see Cast firmware version: X.XXX.XXXXX.

Here are the most recent Chromecast firmware updates. You can match the firmware version yourself based on your device’s model. If your device’s firmware doesn’t match, it means you need to update it.

Google Chromecast firmware latest version:

Chromecast (1st gen) — Firmware version 1.36.157768
Chromecast (2nd gen) — Firmware version 1.49.250946
Chromecast — Firmware version 1.49.250946
Chromecast Ultra — Firmware version 1.50.250947
Chromecast Audio — Firmware version 1.42.172094
Chromecast with Google TV — Firmware version 1.42.179832

What will you get in the last update?

The last update software of Chromecast with Google TV brought some improvements for the performance and bug fixes. This update also confirms that Chromecast with Google TV now has support for Stadia, a cloud gaming service developed by Google. Stadia allows you to stream video games to players of up to 4K quality at 60 frames per second, with HDR support.

In this update, Google Chromecast also fixed the HDMI-CEC issue which leads to the video quality and reliability improvements. The Bluetooth connection also receives some improvements that boost its performance for both Bluetooth speakers and headphones. If you happened to face a Bluetooth connection issue, then it’s time to get the update to fix the problem.

The video settings also get updates and bug fixes this time. This time, you don’t need to worry if your advanced video setting will get back to factory settings whenever you restart your Chromecast device.

What to do if Chromecast update is taking longer than usual?

Usually, it takes around 10 minutes to complete all the update progress, from download to installation. But if the “Downloading/fetching update” message appears longer than expected and the percentage bar is not moving, you probably need to check your internet speed.

To fix this issue, here are several things you can do:

Restart your router to reset your internet connection. Also, make sure you are using a 2.4GHz network. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, continue to the next step.
Connect Chromecast to a new Wifi network. Read here for the tutorial.
Reboot the Google Chromecast device by unplugging it from the power source and leave it for one minute before plugging it back in. The update will restart automatically. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, continue to the next step.
Do a factory reset to your Chromecast dongle.

RELATED:

Conclusions

Once again, all update progress in your Chromecast will be done automatically when it’s connected to the Wifi. Whenever the system detects an update, your streaming device will download and install it the next time you turn on the TV. Just make sure that you have a good internet speed and it will finish in less than 10 minutes.