How To Connect an External Speaker to Chromecast (Google TV)

Trying to get better sound out of your Chromecast can be kinda frustrating sometimes, especially if the audio just refuses to play through your Bluetooth or wired speakers. Not sure why it works on some setups and fails on others, but here’s what I’ve found from messing around with different Chromecast models and setups. Hopefully, this saves someone a few hours of head-scratching.

Power on your Chromecast and get your Bluetooth speaker or soundbar ready before starting. A few of these steps are trial and error, but sticking to this should help you figure out what’s happening behind the scenes.

Step 1: Know Your Chromecast Model (because that matters)

This might seem obvious, but it’s key. Different generations handle audio differently:

Chromecast (1st–3rd Gen, Ultra): These are mainly just screens for casting, no direct support for Bluetooth or external audio port here. They send audio through HDMI, kind of relying on your TV to handle sound, or use the ARC port if your TV supports it.
Chromecast with Google TV (HD or 4K): These are like mini Android boxes, so they support Bluetooth directly, plus HDMI ARC/eARC, and you can pair speakers without much fuss.
Chromecast Audio (discontinued): It’s basically built for audio output through 3.5mm, RCA, or optical, but it’s older and not getting updates anymore. Might be worth a shot if you’ve still got one lying around.

Step 2: Connecting a Bluetooth Speaker (because wireless is just easier)

This is usually the go-to for wireless audio. Here’s the deal:

Put Your Bluetooth Speaker in Pairing Mode

Power on your Bluetooth speaker or soundbar.
Hold down the pairing button—often labeled as Pairing or Bluetooth—for about 5–10 seconds. Some might flash, others beep, depends on the model. Just make sure it’s blinking or ready to connect.

How to Access Chromecast Settings (varies by model)

Depending on what you’ve got, the steps differ a bit:

Google TV or new Chromecast with Google TV:
1. From the home screen, click on your profile photo in the top right or press Select on the remote.
2. Choose Settings, then Remotes & Accessories. Select Pair remote or accessory.
Older Chromecast (1st–3rd Gen):
1. Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select your device, then head to Settings (gear icon) > Device Settings > Paired Bluetooth Devices.

Pair Your Speaker

Tap Add Bluetooth Device or scan for devices. Wait a sec, your Chromecast will hunt down nearby Bluetooth devices.
Tap your speaker’s name when it appears. Sometimes it’s slow, or the device takes a minute to show up—be patient.
Once paired, you should see a confirmation message, or hear a tone from the speaker confirming connection.

Quick tip: Chromecast with Google TV can handle two Bluetooth audio devices at once, which is kinda weird but handy if you want a backup speaker or headset.

Step 3: Wired Connection (for those who still like cables)

Prefer a wired setup? Just plug an audio cable (3.5mm or RCA) into your TV’s audio out port. Then connect the other end to your speaker or soundbar. Easy enough, but you gotta make sure your TV is set to output audio through that port—sometimes it defaults to internal speakers.

In your TV’s settings, look under Sound > Audio Output and pick External Speakers or similar. Because of course, Windows has to make it more complicated than it should.

Step 4: Use HDMI ARC/eARC for Soundbars (the cleaner way)

If your TV and soundbar support HDMI ARC or eARC, that’s probably the best wire solution. Just connect an HDMI cable from the ARC port on your TV to your soundbar’s ARC port.

Change your TV’s audio settings to enable ARC or eARC, and set the audio output to your soundbar. That way, no extra cables or devices needed, and the sound should be much better.

Extra Tips & Common Frustrations

Keep Bluetooth speakers within about 10 meters, no obstacles—that’s the magic radius.
If stuff isn’t showing up or pairing fails, restart both the Chromecast and the speaker. Seems basic but often works.
Make sure your Bluetooth device isn’t connected elsewhere; sometimes, your phone or tablet might be grabbing the connection without you realizing.
Check your TV’s audio settings—sometimes, turning off internal speakers or switching to external sound makes a difference.

In a nutshell

Know your model, because it affects options.
Put your speaker in pairing mode and handle Bluetooth on the right settings screen.
Wired connections are straightforward—just check your TV settings.
Use HDMI ARC if you want a cleaner setup and better audio quality.

Getting all this working isn’t always instant, but with some patience, most of these issues can be nailed down. Just keep in mind that Bluetooth can be flaky sometimes, especially if a lot of devices are trying to connect at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect multiple Bluetooth speakers to my Chromecast?

Well, Chromecast with Google TV supports two Bluetooth audio devices at once, but older models? Usually only one. So, if you’re planning a multi-room setup, it might be tricky unless you use a Bluetooth transmitter with multi-device support.

My Bluetooth speaker doesn’t show up. What now?

Make sure it’s in pairing mode, close enough to the Chromecast, and not connected somewhere else. Restart both the device and Chromecast if needed. Sometimes, just toggling Bluetooth off and on helps clear up the ghost in the machine.

Can I use a soundbar with Chromecast?

Definitely. Wireless via Bluetooth or wired via HDMI ARC/eARC, it all works as long as your TV supports it, and you can usually switch the sound output manually.