The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Use Cast tab for a video that should play on the TV with its sound. Use Cast screen only when you need to show the entire desktop; in that mode, Google warns that audio might remain on the computer. Tab casting keeps unrelated tabs and applications playing locally, so it is the dependable way to send one video to the TV without losing control of the computer.
Choose the casting mode that matches your goal
Chrome offers two different jobs under its Cast menu. They look similar, but they route audio differently. Choosing the wrong one is the most common reason a TV shows the picture while the computer keeps the sound.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| What you need to show | Chrome mode | Where the video appears | Where audio is expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| One web video, with other computer work continuing privately | Cast tab | The selected tab and the TV | The TV for the selected tab; other tabs and applications stay on the computer |
| The whole desktop, including windows and menus | Cast screen | The computer screen and the TV | Audio might play on the computer rather than the TV |
Google Chrome Help states that when you cast the screen, “the audio might play on your computer.” Its recommended way to put the sound on the TV is to cast the tab instead. That is a limitation to plan around, not a setting you should assume can be overridden.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat you need before casting
Check the connection and software before changing audio settings. Casting depends on the receiver being discoverable and the browser being able to communicate with it.
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
- A supported receiver: Google lists Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast Ultra, Google TV Streamer (4K), and televisions with Google Cast.
- One Wi-Fi network: The computer and receiver must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A strong connection is recommended for reliable discovery and playback.
- An up-to-date Chrome installation: Update Chrome before troubleshooting a missing Cast destination or unexpected behavior.
- macOS permission, when applicable: On a Mac running macOS 15 or later, Chrome needs the system access permission described by Google before it can discover or use casting features.
- A playable source: Web content must use a route Chrome can cast. Older or unsupported plug-ins can prevent video or audio from working.
A television without built-in Google Cast can still be used if a supported receiver is attached. A receiver adds compatibility; it does not correct a blocked macOS permission, a weak network, an outdated browser, or content that Chrome cannot cast.
Cast a Chrome video so the TV gets picture and sound
For a video playing in a browser tab, follow this sequence. It deliberately uses tab casting rather than screen casting.
- Open Chrome and load the page containing the video.
- Start the video in that tab and confirm that it plays on the computer.
- Open Chrome’s Cast menu. Depending on the current Chrome layout, the control may be available from the browser menu or the Cast button.
- Choose the receiver or Google Cast television you want to use.
- Select the option to cast the current tab, not the option to cast the entire screen.
- Leave the video tab open while it is casting. The tab’s image appears on both the computer and the TV, and its audio is sent to the TV.
Sounds generated by other Chrome tabs or by separate applications remain on the computer. This separation is useful when you want a film on the TV while keeping notifications, a meeting, music, or other work private on the computer.
Keep the computer usable during playback
Tab casting does not turn the whole desktop into a mirror. You can switch attention to another application or continue working in another tab while the selected video remains the cast source. Do not close the source tab until you are finished; ending that tab also ends the cast content.
Stop or change the cast
Reopen Chrome’s Cast control to stop casting or select another available destination. If you need to show a different video, cast the tab containing that video rather than switching to screen casting simply because the desktop has changed.
Show the entire desktop when the picture matters more than TV audio
Use screen casting when the audience must see windows, a presentation, a game interface, or other desktop content that is not confined to one browser tab.
- Open Chrome’s Cast menu.
- Select the command to cast the screen.
- Choose the receiver.
- Confirm the desktop or display you want to share, if Chrome presents more than one choice.
- Accept that the sound may continue to come from the computer.
Google specifically cautions that whole-screen audio might play on the computer. Therefore, do not promise viewers that screen casting will carry system audio to the TV. If TV sound is essential and the content can be displayed in one Chrome tab, cancel the screen cast and cast that tab instead.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
When screen casting is still the right choice
- The material spans several windows and cannot be represented by one browser tab.
- You need to demonstrate desktop controls, software, or a document alongside a browser.
- The TV audience must see changes outside Chrome, even though audio will remain local.
If the audience needs both a full-desktop view and guaranteed TV audio, the documented Chrome behavior does not provide that guarantee. Treat those as separate requirements and choose the mode according to which one is essential.
Cast a video or music file stored on the computer
Chrome can use a local file opened in a browser tab as the source. This is useful for a downloaded video or audio track when there is no web page to cast.
- Open a new Chrome window or tab.
- Open the local file in Chrome. On Windows, press
Ctrl+O; on Mac, pressCommand+O, then choose the file. - Verify that the file plays in the Chrome tab on the computer.
- Open the Cast menu and choose the receiver.
- Cast the tab containing the local file.
The local-file workflow is documented by Google, but it is not a promise that every format or player will work. Chrome’s guidance warns that some plug-ins do not work when web content is cast. If the file fails in the tab, casting cannot make that unsupported playback route reliable.
Plug-in limitations
Google names Silverlight, QuickTime, and VLC as examples of plug-ins that may not work when casting web content. If a file or page depends on one of these, try a supported browser-tab playback route only when the content can be opened and played directly in Chrome. The documentation does not establish a universal workaround for a black screen or an unsupported plug-in.
Keep unrelated computer audio private
Tab casting is selective. The tab you choose supplies the TV’s video and audio, while audio from other tabs and applications remains on the computer. This behavior lets you separate the audience’s program from your own computer activity.
- Cast the tab that contains the program intended for the TV.
- Keep work, chat, alerts, and other media in different tabs or applications.
- Do not switch to Cast screen merely to make the browser window larger; doing so changes the audio behavior and may leave sound on the computer.
This is a routing distinction, not a volume control. If the selected tab is silent on the computer before casting, casting will not create audio; first confirm that the source itself plays normally.
macOS 15 and later: allow Chrome to access casting features
On a Mac running macOS 15 or later, Chrome may need an operating-system permission before casting works. If the receiver does not appear or Chrome cannot start casting, review Chrome’s access in macOS system settings as described in Google’s current instructions.
Rank #3
- No More App-Switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. TiVo Stream 4K enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps..DC Input Range 5V/1.0A. Power Consumption : Maximum 5 W
- Recommendations Across All of Your Apps: Get rid of the walls between what you watch. TiVo recommends your next favorite shows and movies based on what you love, not where they live.
- Say it and watch it. The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated Google Assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.
- One place for all your favorite streaming apps. TiVo Stream 4K includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock plus many more, so you can get to your shows fast.
- TiVo Stream 4K is one of Time Magazine’s “2020 Best Inventions, Special Mention” and PCMag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for TV lovers.” Operating Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C
- Open macOS system settings.
- Find the privacy or system-access area that controls application permissions.
- Locate Chrome and enable the access required for casting or local-network discovery.
- Return to Chrome and reopen the Cast menu.
The exact label and location can vary with macOS updates. Use the current wording shown on the Mac rather than relying on an older screenshot. This check applies to the Mac permission layer; it does not replace the same-Wi-Fi and supported-receiver requirements.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A troubleshooting order that avoids guesswork
Work from the casting mode outward. Each step tests a documented prerequisite or behavior before you change anything else.
1. Confirm whether you cast a tab or the screen
Look at the active Cast control. If you selected screen casting and the TV has video but no sound, stop and cast the video tab. Google’s guidance specifically recommends tab casting for TV audio.
2. Check Chrome and the network
Update Chrome. Confirm that the computer and receiver are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the connection is strong. A receiver on a guest network or a different access point may not be discoverable even when both devices have internet access.
3. Check the Mac permission, if relevant
For macOS 15 or later, verify that Chrome has the required system access. Reopen the Cast menu after changing the permission.
4. Test the source in a Chrome tab
For a local file, use Ctrl+O on Windows or Command+O on Mac and make sure the file plays in Chrome before casting. For web content, confirm that the video starts in the tab without relying on a separate unsupported plug-in.
5. Treat plug-in failures as compatibility limits
If the page relies on Silverlight, QuickTime, VLC, or another unsupported route, Chrome’s documentation does not promise that casting will work. Try a supported source only if one is available; do not assume that changing volume or screen mode will repair a plug-in limitation.
Rank #4
- 4K Ultra HD with Cinematic Visuals & Sound: Supports 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) at 60FPS, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ for enhanced contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. Delivers immersive audio via Dolby Audio and DTS:X surround sound
- High-Performance Hardware: Equipped with a Quad-Core CPU (up to 2.5GHz) and ARM G310 V2 GPU for seamless navigation and multitasking. Includes 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage (ROM) for ample app and content space
- Google TV Smart Platform: Runs the latest Google TV OS, offering personalized content recommendations, access to thousands of streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, etc.), and voice control via Google Assistant
- Advanced Connectivity & Decoding: Features dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.2, HDMI 2.1, and USB 2.0 ports. Supports decoding of 4K 60FPS video formats and Google Cast for screen mirroring
- Complete Setup Included: Comes with Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen), voice remote control, power adapter, HDMI cable, and user manual. Compact design (95.25 x 95.25 x 16.7 mm) for discreet placement
6. Use the current device-specific troubleshooting guidance for unresolved symptoms
For a black screen, stuttering, lip-sync delay, or a receiver that never appears, consult Google’s current troubleshooting page for the specific receiver and operating system. The documented guidance for this setup does not establish one universal fix for those symptoms, so avoid making unverified router, restart, accessory, or hardware changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Diagnose the symptom without changing the wrong setting
| Symptom | First check | What the documented behavior means |
|---|---|---|
| Video is on the TV but sound is on the computer | Whether Cast screen was selected | Whole-screen casting may keep audio on the computer; cast the tab for TV audio. |
| The receiver is missing from the Cast menu | Same Wi-Fi network, strong connection, updated Chrome, and Mac permission where applicable | Discovery depends on those prerequisites and a compatible receiver. |
| A local file will not cast | Whether it plays in a Chrome tab and whether it depends on a plug-in | Google documents the local-file path but warns that some plug-ins do not work. |
| Black screen, stutter, or lip-sync delay | Use the current device-specific Google troubleshooting guidance | The available instructions do not establish a single general fix for these symptoms. |
Built-in Google Cast TV versus a separate receiver
The casting steps are conceptually the same when the television has Google Cast built in or when a supported receiver is connected to it. The difference is where the receiving function lives.
| Setup | What is documented | What it does not guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Television with Google Cast | The TV itself is a compatible receiver. | It does not remove same-network, Chrome-version, permission, or content-compatibility requirements. |
| Separate supported receiver, such as Google TV Streamer (4K) | The attached receiver can be selected as the Cast destination. | Buying a receiver does not fix permissions, Wi-Fi problems, outdated Chrome, or unsupported content. |
Choose a receiver based on compatibility with the television and the casting features you need. No price, availability, or retail condition is established here, so those details must be checked separately if you are shopping.
Practical scenarios and the correct choice
Watching a web film while working
Open the film in Chrome, cast its tab, and keep work in another application. The film’s audio goes to the TV while other computer sounds stay local.
Presenting a browser-based dashboard
Cast the dashboard tab when only that page belongs on the TV. This prevents unrelated browser tabs from appearing and keeps their audio on the computer.
Demonstrating software controls
Cast the entire screen because the audience needs to see menus or windows outside the browser. Plan for audio to remain on the computer, as Google warns.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPlaying a downloaded file
Open it with the operating-system shortcut in Chrome, verify playback, then cast that tab. If the file depends on an unsupported plug-in, the documented workflow may not work.
What Chrome casting can and cannot promise
- It can: send a compatible Chrome tab’s video and audio to a supported receiver.
- It can: mirror the computer screen to a supported receiver when desktop visibility is the priority.
- It can: keep other tabs and applications’ sounds on the computer during tab casting.
- It cannot promise: that whole-screen casting sends system audio to the TV.
- It cannot promise: that every local file, plug-in, or player will cast.
- It cannot promise: a universal fix for black screens, stutter, lip-sync delay, or a receiver that is not discovered.
The dependable rule is simple: cast the tab for one video and TV sound; cast the screen for the desktop and accept that audio may stay on the computer.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
