Your Chromecast remote pulsing white light and you don’t have an answer to the problem?
After going through many Chromecast forums discussing this exact problem, we’ve come up with an explanation for the problem’s occurrence and the best way to take care of it!
Make sure to keep reading out guide, because you won’t find anything as effective as this out there!
To fix when the Chromecast remote is constantly pulsing in white light, reconnect the Chromecast to WiFi and then replug the device from your TV. After that, make sure the Chromecast is exposed to the remote and replace the unit’s batteries before resetting it.
To review the following solutions in proper detail, proceed further into our guide!
What Does Chromecast Controller White Light Mean?
A white light on your Chromecast remote/controller could be quite confusing, especially if you’ve been using the device for a while now.
We’re here to get everything cleared up for you so you could understand what’s going on with your Chromecast remote and how to fix it!
Pulsing white light on a Chromecast remote means that the device is unable to connect.
This problem could take place at any time, without a warning, and immediately get your remote disconnected from the Chromecast.
It could be related to a battery malfunction, software issues with the remote/Chromecast, or a WiFi outage in your household.
Guessing won’t really take us far, so let’s start troubleshooting the problem!
Chromecast Remote White Light Pulsing – Fixed!
In order to resolve the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible, you must do your best to stick with our guide and not skip any of the solutions.
Even if you’ve tried something already, it’s better to do it again, than to skip a whole chunk of our guide.
Let’s proceed with the solutions now!
Solution #1 Connect the Chromecast to WiFi
One of the reasons that your Chromecast remote has disconnected and is pulsing in white light is that your Chromecast is not hooked up to WiFi.
Internet is required for most of the operations that your Chromecast usually does, so reconnecting it to the WiFi is a must.
Connecting your Chromecast to the WiFi requires you to head over to a specific setup link, through an online browser on your mobile device or PC.
Follow these instructions:
- Get a device that is already connected to the network.
- Launch an online browser.
- Tap the search field so you could begin typing.
- Do “chromecast.com/setup” and press the Enter key.
- On the following page, follow the required instructions to sign in to your account.
- Head to the WiFi Tab once within the Chromecast settings.
- Select your home network from the list.
- Insert the password and press “Connect”.
Once your Chromecast gets connected, your remote should automatically reconnect with the Chromecast and resume functions. The reconnection may take up to 60 seconds.
Note: Make sure that your network device is up and running or the Chromecast won’t pair.
Solution #2 Re-Plug the Chromecast
Perhaps, the issue in your situation is with the Chromecast’s connection with the TV.
If the remote doesn’t detect a plugged Chromecast, it’ll blink in white to indicate that there is no device to pair with.
What you should do is re-establish the Chromecast’s connection both with the TV and the power source.
Follow these steps to re-plug the Chromecast:
- Disconnect the Chromecast from your TV’s HDMI.
- Unplug the Chromecast’s USB Cable from both the device and the power adapter.
- Wait for 5 minutes while the Chromecast is disconnected.
- Re-attach both of the cables going into the Chromecast.
- Test the device…
Once your Chromecast has been successfully disengaged from the system, give it at least 5 minutes of cooldown before installing the device back in.
This is the average time needed for your Chromecast to fully discharge and start working again.
Alert: Plugging the Chromecast back in straight away does not guarantee proper discharge.
Solution #3 Reset the Remote
Another quick way to take care of things is through the Reset (Power Cycle).
This process will discharge the electricity of your Chromecast remote and give a refresh to both the hardware and software of the device.
This has been most effective for Chromecast issues for many users and there’s a high chance that it’ll also be the resolution for you.
Here’s how to reset the Chromecast remote in easy steps:
- On your remote, hold the Home Button.
- While holding the home button, take out the batteries of the device.
- Wait for 10 seconds, while the batteries are taken out.
- Place the batteries back into the remote.
- Keep holding the Home button for 15 more seconds.
- Wait for the light on the remote to start pulsing.
- Let go of the Home Button.
- Test the remote…
Once the reset has been triggered, the process will last for a round of 30 seconds. After that, your remote will be ready to use and you’ll be able to pair it back to the TV.
Note: Do not interact with the remote for the next 30 seconds after triggering the reset.
Solution #4 Fix “Line of Sight” Problems
Whenever the Chromecast remote pulsing white light your remote has been unable to connect with the Chromecast itself.
This problem could be occurring due to an obstructed line of sight between the devices.
Since the remote uses IR to connect with the Chromecast, the devices must be visible to one another in order for the remote to work.
If you’ve stuck the Cast behind your TV, without a single opening for the remote’s IR signal to reach, no wonder the controller will give you the white light.
Figure out a better position for your Chromecast, so it could remain exposed to the remote at all times.
Tip: You could use an HDMI Extender to place the Chromecast in a remote place!
Solution #5 Replace the Chromecast Remote’s Batteries
Perhaps, it’s the batteries that are giving the fault with your Chromecast remote.
As time passes, batteries could get reduced in charge, and even if your remote works overall, its functions will be suppressed. To fix this, you must replace the batteries straight away.
- The Chromecast remote uses 2 AAA batteries inside its compartment!
Here’s how to replace the batteries inside your Chromecast:
- Place the remote with the buttons facing down.
- Locate the battery compartment.
- Uninstall the battery compartment cover.
- Eject both batteries, out of the remote.
- Unpack the fresh set of two AAA batteries.
- Begin placing the batteries inside your Chromecast remote one by one.
- Once finished, reinstall the battery compartment cover back in place.
- Test the Chromecast remote…
Be thoughtful about what position the batteries take inside the compartment. If they are not matching the electrical poles of the compartment, no power from them will be withdrawn.
Alert: Do not use second-hand or any old batteries for the remote. Be sure to use new ones.
Solution #6 Factory Reset the Chromecast
If nothing worked so far, then perhaps you should Factory Reset your Chromecast device!
A Factory Reset is triggered quite easily since all you have to do is press a button, installed in the panels of the Chromecast.
This will cause the device to go into a factory reset mode and after a while, all information from the device will be wiped out.
- Locate the reset button on the Chromecast and press it for 10-15 seconds!
Let go of the button once there is no longer a picture on your TV and the Chromecast has started rebooting itself.
This means that the factory reset has begun and it’ll last for around 2-3 minutes before the Chromecast starts up again.
Alert: Do not interact with the Chromecast during the reset, or you may cancel it accidentally.
Quick Recap:
Thus, to fix when Chromecast remote pulsing white light, you should reconnect your Chromecast and put the remote to a power cycle.
After that, replace the remote’s batteries, fix “line of sight” issues and perform a Factory Reset on the remote.
You should contact Google if you’re still experiencing issues with your Chromecast!
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.