Is Your Chromecast Remote Light Stays On? An Assessment Guide

Streaming content on Chromecast is usually a seamless and enjoyable process.

However, when your Chromecast remote’s light remains on, it can be annoying and frustrating. So, what causes this and how can you fix it? 

Your Chromecast remote light stays on because you need to update the firmware. It could also be due to issues with your Chromecast’s operating system, or a data overload. Luckily, these fixes are simple to perform. 

In this article, I will go over some common issues behind Chromecast’s stuck remote light. I’ll also thoroughly discuss how to re-pair or reset your device. Let’s get started! 

There’s a New Firmware Update

Before you start smashing your remote, consider that the problem may be in Chromecast’s software.

Sometimes, program developers release updates that your Chromecast cannot function without. 

The light stays on and the remote stops working because the developers don’t want you to use the un-updated version of Chromecast.

How To Fix

Fixing this usually entails using the Google TV remote app on your phone. If you haven’t yet, set up your phone as a remote for your Chromecast via the Google TV app. 

Once you’ve opened the app, you should quickly see Chromecast if your phone and the Chromecast are connected to the same WiFi network.

Follow these steps to get it done:

1. Go to Chromecast’s settings using your phone. 
2. Click the “Remotes & Accessories” tab and find the remote that is paired with your Chromecast. 
3. Click “Forget” as this will unpair the remote. 
4. Re-pair the remote by clicking “Pair remote or accessory.”

Now that your remote is paired, click on it and check if it says “Remote is up to date.”

If there is an available firmware update, click on it. Usually, the update takes about 10 minutes. 

After the update, you should be good to go. 

The Chromecast’s OS Has Issues

After prolonged use, your Chromecast’s operating system is bound to have a few minor issues, thus affecting its performance.

Sometimes these issues are caused by problems with Chromecast’s operating system. 

This could be the cause of it being stuck with the light on. 

How To Fix

Fixing this issue involves the following steps:

1. Unplug the Chromecast device from its power source and wait for around five to seven seconds. Note that you don’t have to unplug Chromecast from the TV.
2. After five to seven seconds, plug it back in, as this will restart it. 
3. Press the tiny button above the light behind your Chromecast once to put it in “Pair Mode.” Your TV screen should display “Searching for Accessories” after pressing the button.
4. Get your Chromecast remote and hold the “Back” and “Home” buttons at the same time, as this will have the remote on Pair Mode. If you see the light going from faint to bright in a pulsating fashion, the remote is in Pair Mode.

Pairing can begin with Chromecast and the remote in the same mode.

Note that this might take a while, but it shouldn’t exceed 5 minutes. 

If it does, you may have to take the batteries out of your remote to restart it.

After it restarts, set the device and the remote in pair mode again to restart the process.

By this time, pairing should be seamless. 

If your screen indicates that a device was found, the pairing was successful.

After this, the light on your remote should be fixed.

There Is Data Overload

Occasionally, Chromecast hardware and software may not be able to process the amount of data in all the media you consume.

Whenever there are data transmission issues, your remote cannot process an update, leading to a solid LED light. 

How To Fix

Solving this may require a typical last resort – a factory reset. Take note, we are not yet performing a factory reset on the Chromecast, just the remote. 

1. Have your phone with you, as you need to use it to navigate your Chromecast settings.
2. Take the batteries out of your remote and hold the home button as you place them back in. 
3. Release the home button. Ideally, this should place your remote on default settings. If the LED light stops being solid, then the remote is fixed. 

If this doesn’t work, you may have to perform a factory reset on Chromecast.

Only resort to this option if you really do not want to get a replacement for your remote, as this will erase all of the data in your device. 

1. To get started, make sure that your Chromecast is plugged in. 
2. Press the button near the light, hold it for 5 seconds, and then release it. You will see a glowing action for up to 45 seconds before it becomes solid white. At that point, your device has been reset.

Alternatively, you can also use your phone to perform the reset, but you will use the Google Home app this time.

This app is more suited to dealing with Chromecast issues than remote issues, as this article proves.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. On the app, tap on Chromecast, Settings, and then the three dots on the upper right. You will see the “Factory reset” option and be asked if you want to push through. 
2. Click “Reset” and you will see on your TV that your Chromecast is restarting. 

After a short while, the reset is done.

The Chromecast should show up on your phone afterward as a newly discoverable device. Re-pair your remote and check if the light issue still persists.

If it still does, you may consider calling an expert, as this may now be a hardware issue.

Don’t open your remote on your own, as this may lead to even more irreversible damage. 

Is Your Chromecast Remote Light Stays On? Conclusion

The Chromecast system, while impressive, has its limitations.

Your remote control malfunctioning is a testament to this.

Behind the light issues are most likely software problems, which your phone can assist in fixing.

So don’t go banging your remote just yet; a replacement will cost you $20.