Chromecast 2nd Gen and Chromecast Audio Users Face Widespread "Untrusted Device" Error, Google Working on a Fix

For several days, owners of the Chromecast (2nd generation) and Chromecast Audio devices have been experiencing a frustrating and widespread issue that prevents them from casting any audio or video content. The problem, which manifests as an "Untrusted device: [name] couldn’t be verified. This could be caused by outdated device firmware" error message, has effectively rendered these devices unusable for their primary function. The error appears within casting-enabled apps, such as YouTube, after users attempt to select their Chromecast (2nd gen) or Chromecast Audio device as the target for their content.

The issue seems to have originated on March 9th, and since then, users have been reporting the problem across various online forums and social media platforms. Affected users are met with a dialog box displaying the "Untrusted device" warning, leaving them with only the option to dismiss the message. Unfortunately, no user-side troubleshooting steps, such as rebooting the devices, performing factory resets, or attempting alternative network configurations, have proven effective in resolving the problem.

Despite the inability to cast content, the ambient mode or screensaver functionality of the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio continues to operate as expected. Users are still able to display Google Photos, art, photography, and other visual content on their TVs, along with the time and weather information. This suggests that the core hardware functionality of the devices remains intact and that the problem is likely related to software or authentication issues.

Notably, the "Untrusted device" error appears to be limited to the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio models. Owners of newer Chromecast devices, such as the Chromecast (3rd generation) and Chromecast Ultra, have not reported similar issues. This suggests that the bug may be specific to the firmware or authentication protocols used by the affected devices.

The sudden emergence of this error has sparked concerns among users that Google may have intentionally bricked their older Chromecasts or is planning to discontinue support for these devices. The "Untrusted device" message, along with the inability to cast content, has led some to believe that Google is signaling the end-of-life for the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio.

However, the more likely scenario is that this is a software bug or an authentication error that Google is actively working to resolve. Unlike the original Chromecast (1st generation), which Google officially deprecated support for in May of 2023, the company has not made any announcements regarding the end of support for the Chromecast (2nd gen) or Chromecast Audio. Furthermore, the original Chromecast (1st gen), despite being officially unsupported, continues to function as expected, including its ability to cast content. This suggests that Google is not intentionally disabling older Chromecast devices.

Google has acknowledged the issue and is actively investigating the cause. On March 10th, the company stated that it was "aware of an issue with Chromecast v2 and Chromecast Audio devices" and was "working on a fix." The following day, March 11th, Google provided an update, stating that its "team has identified the cause of the issue impacting Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio devices." However, the company has not yet provided a timeline for when a fix will be released.

On March 12th, Google sent an email to Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio owners, offering more direct communication about the situation. While the email confirmed that the company is aware of the problem and is working on a solution, it did not provide any specific details about the cause of the error or an estimated time frame for its resolution. The email only stated that Google is working to fix the issue "as soon as possible."

The Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio are two of Google’s older streaming devices, having been announced at the same event in September of 2015. Both devices run on the 1.56.x firmware version, which may be a factor in the current issue. Whether the problem lies within the firmware itself or in Google’s authentication servers remains unclear.

In the meantime, owners of the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio are left with little choice but to wait for Google to release a fix. The lack of a concrete timeline for resolution is understandably frustrating for users who rely on these devices for their daily entertainment needs. Hopefully, Google will be able to deploy a server-side fix or a firmware update in the near future to restore functionality to the affected Chromecasts.

Until then, users are encouraged to monitor Google’s official support channels and online forums for updates on the situation. In addition, users can submit feedback to Google through the Google Home app to provide more information about their specific experiences and configurations. This can help Google’s engineers better understand the issue and develop a more effective solution. The affected users are waiting for Google to fix this frustrating issue.