Chromecast is one of the most popular streaming devices on the market, and for a good reason: it’s affordable, easy to use, and compatible with various platforms.
However, in some instances, Chromecast may turn on your TV even when you don’t want to watch anything.
This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to conserve energy.
When Chromecast turns on your TV, it may be due to enabled Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), active Google TV apps running in the background, or a faulty HDMI port connected to the Chromecast. Solutions include disabling CEC, changing the Chromecast HDMI port, and closing all Google TV apps.
The rest of this article is for you if you keep asking, “Why does Chromecast turn on my TV?” I’ll discuss the reasons for this issue and how to fix it without spending a dime. Let’s get started!
1. Enabled Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)
CEC is an HDMI feature that makes it possible to control all connected devices with one remote.
When CEC is enabled, it allows your Chromecast to control other connected devices and vice versa.
For example, you can use your TV remote to turn on/off your Chromecast or adjust the volume.
While this is a great feature, it can also be the reason Chromecast turns on your TV.
It’s worth noting that CEC is known by other names in different TV brands. Some of the common names include:
- AOC: E-link
- Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
- Emerson: Fun-Link
- Loewe: Digital Link Plus or Digital Link
- LG: SimpLink
- Samsung: Anynet+
- Sony: BRAVIA Link, BRAVIA Sync, Control for HDMI
How To Fix
If you don’t want Chromecast turning on your TV through CEC, you can disable this feature on the TV.
However, it’s worth noting that disabling CEC on some TV brands may interfere with sound transmission from the TV through the HDMI cable to other devices.
Here’s the procedure to disable CEC on your TV:
- Power on the TV.
- Press the menu button on the TV or the “SETUP” button on the remote control. If the system menu fails to appear, check your HDMI source input on the TV to ensure you’ve selected the right source.
- Navigate to “CEC Settings” on the system menu.
- Scroll and select HDMI-CEC settings. Press “OK” after selecting.
- Choose your preferred CEC setting.
- Select “Disable” to disable the CEC feature on your TV.
- You can select “Alternate On” if you face unexpected control with your Chromecast.
- Press “Exit” to complete the process.
2. Faulty HDMI Port Connection
Modern HDMI ports use the High-Definition Multimedia Interface to create an immersive experience.
However, some TVs have HDMI ports that use MHL, an old standard that isn’t compatible with some HDMI features, including CEC.
An MHL port may interfere with your HDMI Chromecast connection, leading to issues like turning on the TV.
How To Fix
To fix this problem, you’ll need to change the HDMI port connected to the Chromecast.
The good thing is that most TVs come with multiple HDMI ports, so you can easily shift the Chromecast to a different HDMI port.
You should start by identifying all the HDMI ports on your TV.
Once you’ve done that, unplug the Chromecast from the current HDMI port and plug it into another one.
After connecting the Chromecast to a different HDMI port, check to see if it turns on your TV without your knowledge.
If it doesn’t, then the problem was with the initial HDMI port.
3. Google TV Apps Running in the Background
Most people turn off their TVs while leaving apps like Netflix running in the background.
If you have a Chromecast, this can be one of the reasons it keeps turning on your TV.
When an app runs in the background and tries to connect to the Chromecast, it will automatically turn on the TV.
Apart from turning on your TV through Chromecast, apps running in the background can drain your TV’s battery.
How To Fix
To prevent apps from turning on your TV or draining its battery, you need to close them when they are not in use.
Here’s how to do it:
- Power on your TV.
- Press the menu button on the TV or the “SETUP” button on the remote control.
- Navigate to “Apps” on the system menu.
- Scroll and select the app you want to close. Press “OK” after selecting.
- Choose “Force Stop.”
- Select “Exit” to complete the process.
You can also prevent apps from running in the background by disabling them.
To do this, follow the steps below:
- Press the menu button on the TV.
- Navigate to “Apps” on the system menu.
- Scroll and select “Settings.” Press “OK” after selecting.
- Choose “Manage All Installed Applications.”
- Select the app you want to disable.
- Press the “Disable” button.
- Select “Exit” to complete the process.
Most smart TVs have a feature that allows you to turn off the TV completely, including apps running in the background. The feature is often called “deep sleep” or “ECO mode.”
If your TV doesn’t have this feature, you can try disconnecting the Chromecast from the power source for a few minutes. This should close all apps running in the background and prevent your TV from turning on without your knowledge.
4. An Issue With the Remote Control
As already discussed, the CEC feature makes it possible to control all devices connected to an HDMI cable using one remote controller.
Therefore, an issue or any fault on the remote control can make Chromecast turn on your TV.
A stuck key is the main reason a remote control may initiate the automatic TV turn-ons.
If the remote’s power button is stuck, it will keep turning on the TV automatically.
How To Fix
You first need to check the remote control for any dirt, dust, or debris that might be stuck under the keys.
If there’s anything stuck under the keys, use a can of compressed air to remove it.
If that doesn’t work, try resetting the remote control.
Here is the procedure:
- Open the remote’s battery compartment.
- Remove the batteries.
- Press and hold the power button for five seconds.
- Put the batteries back in and close the compartment
- Power on the remote and check whether the issue is solved.
Why Does Chromecast Turn On My TV? Summary
An enabled CEC is the main reason Chromecast may keep turning on your TV.
Although this feature is crucial as it makes controlling your TV and other connected devices easier, it can be challenging for some TV brands.
Before disabling the CEC feature to prevent Chromecast from turning on your TV, you should check to ensure the move doesn’t affect sound transmission on your type of TV.
