NoGoogle Warns Chromecast Users Against Factory Reset Amid Ongoing Outage

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Google Warns Chromecast Owners Off Factory Reset While Outage Rages On
Google has acknowledged a widespread issue that has been affecting a lot of Chromecast users, particularly those who own second-generation Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices. The problem began when users were met with an “untrusted device” error, which prevented them from casting media to their TVs and other displays. The error message typically says that the issue could be due to outdated device firmware, but the real cause is more complex.
The issue comes from a previously expired intermediate certificate authority from Google, which expired on March 9, 2025. This certificate plays a significant role in verifying Chromecast devices with Google’s backend servers. As a result of this, affected devices are unable to securely connect and authenticate, rendering them useless for their primary function of casting content.
Google has also advised users against factory resetting their devices, as it will not resolve the issue. In fact, a factory reset could complicate matters so that it is more difficult to restore the device to a working state when the fix is out. The firm has reassured users that it is working to find a fix and provide status updates on the same.
For existing users who have already reset their devices, Google promised that they will post instructions on how to reinstall them once the patch is out. No release date, however, has been planned for the fix yet, leaving users without a resolution timeline.
There is a temporary user-proposed workaround, and this is to alter the date of the phone to before March 9, 2025, and then attempting to reauthenticate the Chromecast. This method works for a few users but not all of them, and one may be required to do it several times. Even after this workaround successfully works, other applications like Spotify might still cause issues.
The Google Chromecast series of devices was replaced last year by the Google TV Streamer, and the previous models have been phased out slowly since 2023. Nevertheless, there are still numerous users who continue to use the devices, which highlights the importance of updates and support even today.
The problem has been infuriating for users, with others speculating that the issue might be a deliberate action by Google to force users into upgrading. That is not true, however. There is no evidence of such claims. Google’s stance has been that it is working to resolve the issue, and users should just patiently wait for the solution.
In the meantime, customers are left with a non-functional Chromecast, unable to stream video or audio content. That a fix even has no specific timeline created further frustration, with some worrying that the issue would take some time to correct, possibly even a week.
Despite such problems, Google’s acknowledgment of the issue and its efforts to address it have provided some reassurance to affected users. The firm’s suggestion against factory resets and waiting for a proper fix illustrates its efforts at keeping matters under control and enabling users to eventually continue using their devices the way they were intended to be used.