Fix Chromecast disconnects from phone (YouTube, Netflix)

Google’s Chromecast device is used to stream videos directly from YouTube, Netflix, etc on onto TV. A common issue faced by new phone owners is that after playing a video on YouTube, the phone disconnects from Chromecast. It usually happens after they put the phone in sleep mode by turning the screen off. Whether it is done manually by pressing the power button or the phone’s screen turns off automatically. In this article, learn how to fix the issue when Netflix, YouTube, or similar apps get disconnected from Chromecast and videos keep playing anyway.

Applicable Queries / Problems

This article discusses the solution for Chromecast disconnecting from the phone even when a video is playing on TV (Chromecast device). Here, we are going to lay down the possible issues that can be solved by using this method:

• YouTube App disconnects from Chromecast. The video can no longer be controlled unless you refresh the app. It does not allow forwarding or reversing in the video. Users have to restart the app and connect it again to get back controls.
• Netflix app disconnects from the Chromecast device but a movie or TV show keeps playing. When users try to move the show forward or some other controls like that, it does not work.
• The volume controls on YouTube or Netflix apps do not work.
• YouTube, Netflix, or another similar app stops working a little while after the phone’s screen turns off. By stop working, we mean that it is no longer connected to the Chromecast device that it was casting to.
• Chromecast keeps disconnecting on phone sleep or after leaving it idle for a while.

Apps List

This is a brief list of the apps that can easily get affected by this issue. These apps lose connection to Chromecast a little time after the phone’s screen turns off. When the user does not use the phone for a few minutes, these apps need to be refreshed (closed and reopened) to cast to Chromecast again.

• YouTube
• Netflix
• Hulu
• SoundCloud
• HBO Now
• IPTV Apps
• Sling TV
• and other similar apps

Fix to “Apps disconnecting from Chromecast (YouTube, Netflix, etc)”

As we mentioned at the start of this post, mostly new phone owners face this issue. The phones like Galaxy Note 8, Note 9, Galaxy S9, S9+, and others especially have this problem. Its root cause is the battery saving feature.

Phone manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, etc are adding battery saving features to prolong the battery lives. Since there are so many battery-draining apps, high DPI screens, and backend services, it does help a little.

The battery-saving feature regulates the usage of all apps on phone. If any particular is running in the background and using battery more than the safe limit, then it automatically kills that app. Therefore, when users cast YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, or similar apps on Chromecast, they are automatically killed in the background by battery saver. Even if the app does not close, their on-going connection with Chromecast is cut.

To fix this issue, follow these steps:

• Open Settings and head into the battery menu.
• Now open the Battery Saver menu.
• Next up, enter the Un-monitored/monitored apps tab.
• Here tap on the “Add new App” button.
• Search for Netflix for example in the list and select it.
• Once selected, add it to the un-monitored list of apps.
• Now it can use data in the background even when the phone is idle or in sleep mode.
• Using the same method, add any apps that keep disconnecting from Chromecast on phone.

Note: This particular method does not apply to every brand of phone. Since the user interface is different for all brands, minor details will be different. If you are having trouble, ask for help in the comments below. The overall concept and method however are the same for all brands of phones.

Feel free to share your comments and queries with us in the comments section below