Months later, Google yet to fix Chromecast's random WiFi disconnection issue

Google’s Chromecast with Google TV users are still dealing with a frustrating WiFi connectivity bug that first surfaced months ago, and there’s no sign of a permanent fix coming anytime soon. The problem has been driving users up the wall for months now, with devices randomly dropping their internet connection right in the middle of binge-watching sessions.

The trouble started rolling out with Android 14, turning what used to be reliable streaming devices into headache-inducing gadgets that lose WiFi at the worst possible moments. Users describe watching their favorite shows only to see that dreaded “no internet access” notification pop up out of nowhere. Sometimes the connection comes back after a couple of minutes, other times you’re stuck manually diving into settings to toggle WiFi off and back on again.

What makes this particularly maddening is how unpredictable it all is. A Reddit user mentioned their Chromecast would disconnect three times in fifteen minutes, then work perfectly fine during an entire Lord of the Rings marathon. There’s no rhyme or reason to when these dropouts happen, which makes troubleshooting feel like shooting in the dark.

After reading multiple threads, it seems users have tried just about every workaround imaginable. Factory resets? Some users report temporary relief, but the problem creeps back. Switching from WPA2/WPA3 mixed security to WPA2-only helps certain setups, but that creates new headaches since newer devices like iPhones prefer the mixed security standard. One frustrated user even bought a USB-C Ethernet adapter just to sidestep WiFi altogether.

Google’s official response has been pretty lackluster. When pressed by users reaching out through support channels, the company acknowledges it’s a known issue tied to the Android 14 update and claims they’re working on it. But that was months ago, and here we are in September with the same old problems plaguing users who just want to watch Netflix without interruption.

What’s particularly annoying is that this affects both the 4K and HD versions of the Chromecast with Google TV. The bug doesn’t discriminate based on which model you own or how strong your WiFi signal is. Users with mesh networks and enterprise-grade routers report the same issues as people using basic ISP-provided equipment.

Some longtime Chromecast fans are already jumping ship, fed up with waiting for Google to get its act together. I see chatter about users considering the Apple TV 4K. As an Apple TV 4K user, I have not had a single instance where the WiFi dropped out on its own. So if you’re constantly being let down by the problem on your Chromecast, maybe hopping over to Apple’s alternative isn’t such a bad idea.

Recent threads on Reddit show the problem is actually getting worse for some people. Users who managed to live with occasional disconnects are now seeing their devices drop WiFi more often than not, making streaming more of a headache than something to relax to.

Google’s silence on any timeline for a proper fix is telling. Nearly nine months into this mess, there’s still no official acknowledgment of when users might see relief. For a company that prides itself on software updates and user experience, this prolonged radio silence feels pretty out of character. Until Google steps up with a real solution, Chromecast owners are stuck playing the waiting game while their streaming experience continues to suffer.