How to Cast from VLC to Chromecast [PC\Android\iOS]

Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Tim Wells

The VLC media player is a lightweight, simple, cross-platform multimedia player. Not only does it play just about every type of media file imaginable, but it can cast content to your Chromecast.

This works on any generation of Chromecast and doesn’t need any cables or direct connections. Download the VLC media player and share content on your television.

This article will walk you through How to Cast from VLC to TVs with Chromecast Built-In or standalone Chromecast devices. 


How to Cast From VLC to TVs With Chromecast Built-in or Standalone Devices

Casting from a VLC media player to a TV with Chromecast-built-in or an HDMI-connected Chromecast device is easy.

While the process is the same for Windows and iOS devices, it’s slightly different for mobile Android and iOS devices, so we’ll cover that later.

Before starting, ensure your Chromecast and the VLC device are on the same network.

Casting From PCs and Macs with VLC

VLC looks the same for both Windows and IOS devices, so our steps will be the same.

Here is the process:

  1. Open the file you want to cast in VLC Media Player. 
  2. Navigate to the Playback tab in the top toolbar. 
  3. Under “Playback, click on the Renderer option.
  4. The VLC media player will scan your local network and display a list of available devices.
  5. Choose the Chromecast device you want to cast to. The video file will begin to play automatically.
Cast from PC using VLC to Chromecast with Google TV

After selecting your Chromecast, you may see an “Insecure Site” prompt on your PC or Mac. If so, verify that you chose the correct Chromecast device and select “View Certificate.”

Next, the prompt will show you the Chromecast device’s security certificate. You can select “Accept 24 hours” or “Accept Permanently.” Once you accept the certificate, the media should begin playing on your Chromecast.

If you choose to “Accept Permanently,” this will let you skip the security certificate step in the future.

Anytime you want to cast to that device from VLC in the future, go back to the Renderer option under the Playback tab and select your Chromecast device.

Casting From Android and Mobile IOS Devices with VLC

Go to the Google Play Store for Android devices and download the VLC media app. For IOS mobile devices, find it in the Apple App Store.

Again, ensure your device is on the same network as your Chromecast device.

The steps are as follows:

Launch the VLC media player on the device you want to cast from and open the media file you want to play.

Casting from Chromecast from VLC Android app

Click the Cast icon in the upper-right corner, and choose your Chromecast device. 

A performance warning will appear. Your smartphone will be doing the heavy lifting of making your video look good on your TV screen.

That could cause it to burn through its battery life quickly.

Casting from VLC performance warning

Once you click OK, the video should begin playing automatically on your Chromecast.

You can use your phone to play, pause, or change the VLC media player settings, which also adjusts them on your Chromecast device.


Troubleshooting

Do you still have issues getting your Chromecast content to appear on your TV? Here are a few troubleshooting tips to try.

My Device Doesn’t Have the VLC App

If the VLC Media Player App is unavailable on your device, you may need to sideload it.

For more on how to sideload apps, check out my tutorial here.

VLC Can’t Find My Chromecast?

Ensure all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re trying to cast from your phone, ensure you’re on Wi-Fi. 

You cannot cast files from your phone while using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. Devices that aren’t on the same network won’t be able to see each other. 

Additionally, ensure you have the newest version of the VLC media player installed. You need at least version 3.0 of the app to use the in-app renderer option. If you do not have an updated version of the VLC media player, download it here: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/.

What to do if You Still Can’t Cast to Your Chromecast

There is a way around it if you have issues using the VLC media player renderer unrelated to an update.

You can use Google Chrome’s built-in casting tool to cast to your TV.

Just open the VLC media player and click the fullscreen button.

How do I Cast from VLC to my Smart TV Without Chromecast?

To cast content from the VLC media player to a smart TV without Chromecast, you can use the “stream” feature in the VLC media player.

  1. Make sure your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Find the “stream” option under the “media” tab.
  3. Add the files you want to stream when the pop-up appears. 
  4. Under the capture device tab, select desktop.
  5. Select the stream option at the bottom.
  6. Do not change any settings in the subsequent windows.
  7. Click on the stream button.
  8. Under the media menu in the VLC media player, choose “open network stream.”
  9. Enter your IP address in the field labeled “Please enter a network URL.”
  10. Click play. Your video should start playing on your smart TV.
Tim Wells