Troubleshoot the Chromecast or Google TV Voice Remote

Note: For the best experience, we recommend that you use the remote included with your device. Some features like Find My Remote and creating a shortcut with the customizable button only work with Google TV Streamer.

General troubleshooting

If your Chromecast Voice Remote or Google TV Streamer Voice Remote isn't working, follow the steps below:

Remove both batteries from the remote.
While checking the LED on the remote, reinsert the batteries. If the LED doesn't flash twice, continue to the next step
Note: The LED is unmarked, on the front of the remote below buttons. It's only visible when it's showing a status light.
Complete within 2 seconds: While checking the LED, remove and reinsert the battery. If the LED still doesn't flash twice, repeat this step.
While checking for the LED to flash twice, replace both batteries with the original batteries that came with the remote. If those batteries aren't available, use 2 fresh 1.5 volt AAA batteries.
Remove both batteries and wait 5 minutes. While checking for the LED to flash twice, reinsert the batteries.
If the LED still doesn't blink, follow the troubleshooting steps under Voice Remote doesn't work at all.

More Voice Remote troubleshooting

Voice Remote doesn't work at all

Step 1. Reboot your Google streaming device

Follow the steps on how to reboot your Chromecast with Google TV
Follow the steps on how to reboot your Google TV Streamer (4K)

Step 2. Unpair your Voice Remote

If your Voice Remote is paired with your Google streaming device, unpair it:
1. To navigate the TV screen, set up your phone as a virtual remote.
2. On the TV screen, go to your account profile Settings Remotes & Accessories.
3. Select Voice Remote Forget Yes.

Step 3. Factory reset your Voice Remote

Note: A factory reset will reset your device to its default factory settings. This action will clear your data and can't be undone.

Chromecast Voice Remote

Factory reset your Chromecast Voice Remote:
1. Remove both batteries and wait 5 minutes.
2. Reinsert the batteries while pressing and holding the Home button.
3. Continue to hold the Home button while the LED light turns on and stays solid.
4. When the light starts to pulse, release the button.

If the remote didn't pair automatically, press and hold the Back and Home buttons for 3 seconds.
If the remote still didn't pair, use your phone as a virtual remote control to select Pair remote or accessory on the TV screen factory reset the remote again wait for the remote to appear on the screen tap the select button on your phone.
If the remote still doesn't work, factory reset your Chromecast with Google TV:
1. Check that the Chromecast is plugged into the TV and turned on.
2. Press and hold the button on the back of the Chromecast.
3. Continue to hold the button while the LED light turns on and blinks yellow.
4. When the light turns solid white, release the button wait for the device to reset.
Factory reset the remote again.

Google TV Streamer Voice Remote

Press and hold the Mute and Center (Select) buttons at the same time.
While both buttons are pressed down, the remote LED will blink white.
A countdown sound will play after 10-12 seconds of holding.
Keep holding the buttons until the LED turns solid white.

Note: It usually takes no more than 12 seconds to initiate a factory reset.

Step 4. Set up your Google streaming device

1. Set up Chromecast with Google TV and Voice Remote

How to install and set up Chromecast with Google TV

Set up Chromecast with Google TV and Voice Remote

2. Set up Google TV Streamer (4K) and Voice Remote

How to set up Google TV Streamer (4K)

Set up Google TV Streamer (4K) and Voice Remote

Voice Remote can't control specific TV settings

If your remote isn't working for some features but not others, the remote might not be able to send an infrared (IR) signal to the sensor.

Use another remote to ensure your Google streaming device is the selected input.
If the remote can navigate around the TV, but can't turn the TV on and off or control the volume, then it's probably an IR issue.

Check if you have your TV set as the configured remote buttons in the streaming device's settings:

On your TV, go to Settings Remotes & Accessories Set up remote buttons.
Select the relevant device to troubleshoot.
1. For example, Sony TV Set up buttons reconfigure the controls for Volume, Power, or Input.

If this doesn't fix the issue, follow the steps under the General troubleshooting section.

Voice Remote drops Bluetooth connection

If your remote LED light turns on, but can't control the Google TV interface, try this fix:

Remove and reinsert both batteries. Check if the LED flashes twice.
1. If the LED doesn't turn on, follow the troubleshooting steps under the General troubleshooting section.
Unplug the USB-C connection from the streaming device to disconnect it from the power source and Reboot your streaming device. Leave the streaming device unplugged for one minute, then plug it back in.
Perform a factory reset on the Voice Remote.

Note: To re-pair the Voice Remote, press the reset button on the streaming device to enter the pairing screen.

Voice Remote responds slowly

If the buttons on the Voice Remote work, but it takes a while for the action to register on the TV, you may be too far from the TV.

Move the remote closer to the TV.
Move the Wi-Fi access point away from the streaming device.
Use an HDMI extension cable to move the streaming device away from other HDMI cables.
Move the position of the streaming device, then flip it over.