Chromecast 2nd Gen and Audio Devices Experience Widespread Casting Outage
Users of the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio are experiencing a significant outage, preventing them from casting audio or video content. The issue presents itself as an "Untrusted device" error message, indicating a potential firmware verification problem. This error prevents users from proceeding with casting, although other functionalities like the screensaver and time/weather display remain unaffected.
Key Details:
- The outage appears to affect all users of the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio.
- The error message suggests an issue with device verification, possibly related to outdated firmware.
- No user-side workarounds, such as reboots or resets, have been effective.
- Newer Chromecast models, including the 3rd gen and Ultra, seem to be unaffected.
While the error has led to speculation about Google bricking the devices or discontinuing support, this is likely a bug. Google has not made any announcements regarding end-of-life support for these models. The issue may stem from a server-side problem, and a fix is expected soon. For more information on Google device updates, check out Wear OS 5.1 Arrives for Pixel Watch 2 & 3.
Both the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio were released in 2015 and currently run on 1.56.x firmware. This incident highlights the potential vulnerabilities of older smart devices. For insights into extending the life of your devices, you might find 12 Easy Tweaks to Extend Android Battery Life helpful. You can also explore MWC 2025: Top Tech Innovations to stay updated on the latest advancements in the tech world.