How to Use VLC With Chromecast

VLC is a media player that you can use on your computer, but it’s also a convenient way to send videos and music to Chromecast. Using VLC with Chromecast lets you stream virtually any media file to your TV in seconds.

Maybe you want to play iTunes on your TV, send your home video to the big living room screen, or stream something live through VLC and send it to your HDTV. Whatever the reason, VLC makes it easy to connect your computer to your Chromecast.

Cast VLC Media Files to Chromecast

Step 1: Download and install VLC If you already have one, make sure it’s version 3 or newer, because that’s when the Chromecast feature was added.

Tip. You can check your version in Help About.

Step 2. Go to Play Renderer and select your Chromecast from the list.

If your Chromecast isn’t listed, double-check that it’s turned on via a USB port on your TV or a power outlet. Also make sure the Chromecast and your computer are on the same network.

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Step 3. Use the Media menu to import the file you want to play on your Chromecast. It is possible to select only one file or an entire folder. You can even stream a network stream or drive from your drive.

VLC accepts many file formats, including popular ones like MKV, MP4, FLV, MP3 and WMA.

Note. If you see a Performance Alert notification and nothing is playing on the Chromecast, click OK to convert the file to a format that VLC can use.

This is it! Your TV should now be playing what you told VLC to.

You can also play other things via Chromecast like Netflix, YouTube, Chrome Tab, or even your entire desktop, but none of those things require VLC.

• The video or audio file should start playing right after connecting VLC to the Chromecast, but you may have to wait a few seconds depending on your computer and network speed. If the file does not start, click the play button in VLC.

• Another way to stream media from PC to TV via Chromecast is to first open the file in VLC and then connect to Chromecast as described in step 2 above. From there, you may have to hit the play button to start the video / audio.

• The conversion can take a long time, especially if you are trying to stream a long video. If you know that VLC will not process the file until it is converted, consider converting the file to something compatible before adding it to VLC.

• Click the stop button in VLC to quit playing a video or audio file on both TV and computer. Or, to simply stop playing your Chromecast and watch or listen only on your computer, go back to step 2 above, but select .

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Things to Remember

• The video or audio file should start playing immediately after VLC connects to the Chromecast, but you may have to wait several seconds depending on the speed of your PC and network. If the file doesn’t start, click Play in VLC.

• Another way to transfer media files from your PC to TV via Chromecast is to first open the file in VLC and then connect to the Chromecast device as shown in Step 2 above. From there, you may have to press the play button to start playing the video / audio.

• Conversions can take a long time, especially if you are trying to send a long video. If you know VLC won’t handle the file unless it’s converted, consider converting the file into something compatible before adding it to VLC.

• Press the VLC pause button to end the video or audio file playing on both the TV and the computer. Or, to just turn off playback from Chromecast and only watch or listen on your computer, go back to step 2 above but choose .