If you’re stuck with the issue of Sling TV Chromecast not working, don’t sweat it. In all honesty, it’s only in a perfect world where Sling TV would work with Chromecast without a glitch.
But that’s not the case, and my best guess is you’re here so we can combine two heads to figure out a workaround.
Great!
So, stick with me because I’ll quickly explain why the issue occurs and help you understand the practical solutions. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be an IT pro to crack this.
Sling TV often stops working with Chromecast due to internet connectivity problems, bugs, and other software hitches. You need to establish a proper internet connection, reboot your devices, or factory reset them to fix the issue. You can also update your Sling TV app and Chromecast firmware.
I’ve just given you a quick highlight of what we’re about to discuss, so let’s dive into the details.
Why is Sling TV Not Working With Chromecast?
First off, I think it’s important we wrap our heads around why Sling TV can become stubborn in the first place.
Here’s a quick highlight:
- Weak or lost internet connection
- Bugs and other software errors
- Faulty Chromecast device
Remember, the Sling TV programming “slings” to your Chromecast device because they’re connected to the same home WiFi.
You must, therefore, have a stable internet connection to enjoy the best video quality and consistent streaming. Anytime the WiFi signal grows weak or disconnects altogether, Sling TV stops working with Chromecast.
Moreover, the Sling TV app must be running in the foreground until it connects successfully with Chromecast.
Once it has established a strong connection, you can leave it running in the background and navigate to another app. Otherwise, it will stop.
Finally, Sling TV may stop working with Chromecast if you’re using an outdated app. Bugs usually occur with the old app until you upgrade the firmware.
How to Fix Sling TV Chromecast Not Working?
These are the 7 practical ways to resolve the issue if Sling TV stops working with Chromecast:
Solution #1: Confirm if There’s a Service Outage
While service outages are rare, they can be the reason Sling TV stops working with Chromecast.
You’ll experience loading issues if Sling TV servers are overloaded and can’t handle multiple requests at once.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you can only wait until this is resolved on Sling’s end.
One thing you can do is to contact the company, so you’re sure it’s a service outage causing the problem.
They’ll also advise you on how long a fix will take, so you take a load off your mind.
Solution #2: Use a Reliable Internet Connection
Chromecast won’t work with Sling TV if you’ve connected the devices to the wrong WiFi network.
Therefore, I recommend you first check that your Chromecast device is on the same WiFi network as your mobile device.
You should also connect Chromecast to your TV HDMI port and plug in its power supply before you can stream.
At times it’s also a lost internet connection that’s causing your Sling TV stream to buffer and get stuck on loading.
In this case, I highly recommend you check your modem and router for any warning lights, especially if the WAN light is blinking red.
Moreover, check if all the other lights that are usually ON during regular use are working, like the WiFi light.
If the WAN light is OFF, you’ve lost your internet connection. Ensure your ethernet cable fits snugly in the WAN port on your router.
You can also restart your router to clear temporary settings that may be causing the issue. If it doesn’t contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for more technical advice.
If your wired internet connection is having issues, you can also switch to using mobile data.
Turn on the mobile hotspot on your smartphone and connect your TV as you would to the router WiFi.
Note: Mobile data plans often become more expensive and restrictive than regular WiFi. Be careful not to exceed your data plan as you may incur extra charges.
Solution #3: Reboot Your TV or Smartphone
A temporary hitch on your TV or smartphone may prevent Sling TV from loading correctly. This can be due to a malfunction in a different app altogether.
Moreover, some temporary changes in settings may be the reason. Restart your TV or phone and see if it clears the loading problems.
Solution #4: Troubleshoot the Sling TV App
Let’s be blunt here: expect the Sling TV app to run into bugs and software malfunctions once in a while.
As it turns out, these cause it to stop working smoothly with Chromecast.
First, sign out of your Sling TV account, then sign back in. Next, go to the app properties and clear cache memory.
Here’s how to clear the cache if you’re using an Android smartphone:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Find Sling TV on the apps list and tap on it.
- Navigate to Storage > Clear Data.
- Select Clear Cache.
If you’re using an iOS device, here’s how to clear Sling TV cache memory:
- Open your Settings app.
- Navigate to the General settings.
- Tap iPhone Storage, then select the Sling TV app.
- Select Offload App and confirm to clear the cache.
Once you’ve completed the above steps on Android or iOS, I recommend you check for app updates. The latest apps usually have bug fixes.
Solution #5: Switch WiFi Bands & Channels
Most WiFi routers can operate in the 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi bands.
If the device on which you’re watching Sling TV doesn’t work with Chromecast, you can switch WiFi bands and frequency channels.
Tip: The 5 GHz WiFi band allows incredibly fast internet speeds, but it can only connect devices within a short-range.
On the other hand, the 2.4 GHz band connects devices to a broader range but offers considerably slow internet speeds.
Steps for Changing the WiFi Band
Here’s how to change the WiFi band and channel on your router:
- Open your router’s web GUI by typing 192.168.1.1 in your browser URL field.
You could set the router to obtain a dynamic IP address, so you can also type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.2.1 as well.
- Log in to your router and go to the Wireless Settings.
- If your router supports dual-band, select a different band other than the current setting.
- Also, set Wireless Channel to Auto so it can choose WiFi frequencies automatically.
You can also find the Administration settings on your router and do a few more WAN configurations as follows:
- Set WAN speed to Auto.
- Clone MAC address.
You can then log out of your router’s Web GUI and try playing Sling TV. If it doesn’t fix the issue, proceed to the next step.
Solution #6: Reboot Your Router and Modem
You might want to reboot your router and modem to fix the connectivity problems.
Unplug the router and modem from the power supply, then disconnect the network cables. Wait 30 seconds, then restore the connections.
If your connection isn’t restored, long-press the reset button on the back of your router until the lights flash rapidly.
Next, log in to your router’s Web GUI as I explained in Step 5 above, and configure it afresh.
Solution #7: Factory Reset Chromecast & Update
If you’ve tried all the fixes above but it doesn’t fix the issue, it’s time to reset the Chromecast device and check for firmware upgrades.
Please note that you’ll lose all your previous settings and data if you do a factory reset.
To restore the settings to default, ensure your Chromecast is plugged into the power supply and connected to the TV HDMI port.
Next, perform these steps:
- Press and hold the reset button on the side of your Chromecast device.
- Release the button when the LED turns white.
Once you’ve restored all the settings to default, your Chromecast device usually installs updates automatically.
You can also check for the latest firmware update by visiting the Google Support page.
The best way to solve the issue if Sling TV doesn’t work with Chromecast is by ensuring you have a stable internet connection. You can also reset the device on which you’re streaming together with the Chromecast itself.
Read Next: How to Cancel Sling TV on Amazon?
Bottom Line
I hope you can now fix the issue of Sling TV Chromecast not working without a hassle.
If you’ve tried all the above fixes but can’t solve the problem, contact Sling Customer Support for more professional assistance.
If your Chromecast device is damaged, you can only fix the casting issue by getting a replacement.
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.