Electronic devices, big or small, have a definite lifespan. How long depends on the device, the built-in components, support, and other things.
A gadget reaches its end if the hardware breaks beyond repair—for instance, a water-damaged phone. Devices also die a slow or induced death.
If your phone is too old to receive software updates or its previous-gen hardware could get crippled by the latest software, the abandoned device is borderline dead.
Google Chromecast is one of the many pieces of electronic gadgets that require hardware and software support to remain functional.
The first-gen Chromecast, launched in 2013, is unarguably “old” in 2022. But is it dead? And what about other Chromecasts? What is the average lifespan of a Chromecast?
Read on for the answers to the questions and more.
Quick Navigation
Google Chromecast Warranty
All Google Chromecast devices come with a one-year limited warranty. During the warranty period, Google may process an exchange if the Chromecast has a hardware defect or no damage was inflicted during use.
Kindly note that the warranty is region-specific. If you bought the Chromecast in the States, Google would not issue a replacement device for it in Europe, Asia, or any region outside the U.S.
Not to mention, a purchase proof (physical or digital) is mandatory, and you should have bought the device at a Google-authorized store (online or offline). Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Home Depot are the major authorized stores in the U.S.
Voiding Chromecast Warranty
Chromecast warranty ceases to exist if the user repairs the device on their own or at a third-party service center. Unauthorized modifications or repairs could damage Chromecast hardware, which Google would not want to touch or take responsibility for.
Physical damage to the device caused by reckless use or non-ideal environments also voids the warranty. The ideal ambient temperature to use a Chromecast in is 32°F (0°C) to 95°F (35°C).
Jamming the device directly into the TV and not using an HDMI extender, like this UGREEN HDMI Extension Cable , could suffocate the streaming device and cause its operating temperatures to rise, possibly contributing to its premature demise.
Click image for more info
How Long Should I Expect My Chromecast to Last?
On average, expect your Chromecast to last two to three years of regular use. Mainly, the device shall continue to function beyond the three-year mark if taken good care of and used wisely.
Non-stop use could be detrimental. People have reported their Chromecasts dying completely with round-the-clock usage.
Less than eight hours of Chromecasting a day can be considered normal. But there’s no hard and fast rule. Several first-gen Chromecasts bought on the first day of launch are still in use despite being used extensively.
But if your Chromecast stops working like it did when brand-new after a couple of years of use, don’t be surprised.
Although you can partially restore the device to its original health through resetting and updates, the built-in hardware may have worn out too much to work like new.
Signs Your Chromecast is Nearing Death
The Chromecast won’t die cold turkey or will not stop working one day. Its functionality will degrade over time to indicate it has started to age. Here are some tell-tale signs that your Chromecast has been too long in the tooth.
- Frequent Wi-Fi disconnections: If your Chromecast has frequent connection issues for no fault of the router, Wi-Fi signal strength, or the TV, and updating or resetting the device doesn’t help, the Chromecast hardware is declining.
- Occasional crashing: A Chromecast is dying if it occasionally crashes, requires frequent rebooting and setting up, etc.
Although not a sign of your Chromecast crashing, an unstable power supply could reduce your Chromecast’s lifespan. The streaming dongle requires power through the TV’s USB port or a wall adapter.
If your TV’s port cannot meet your Chromecast’s power requirements, but you still plug it into the unit, the lack of power may hinder performance and wear out the dongle over a period.
How Long Should Chromecast Remote Batteries Last?
Chromecast with Google TV comes with a dedicated remote, unlike prior Chromecasts. The standalone remote uses two AAA removable batteries for power.
Google supplies the batteries in the box. Once they deplete, you can always buy a AAA battery pack separately.
But how long do Chromecast remote batteries last?
According to Google, Chromecast remote batteries should last at least six months. But that’s not very realistic.
Some users have reported batteries draining within a month. If you’ve had similar concerns, perhaps tweaking the Chromecast’s settings in the Google Home app could help. Contact Google for individualized help.
Some claim third-party batteries drain faster. But those claims are unsupported.
The bundled-in Chromecast batteries are regular AAA batteries with a color wrap to match the remote’s aesthetics. Google did not make those batteries from scratch or tweak cell chemistry to boost performance or longevity.
A firmware update could have bricked the remote, causing the batteries to drain faster than usual. Or the batteries could have been damaged due to mishandling the remote or throwing it around recklessly.
Unfortunately, the Chromecast doesn’t provide a low battery sign on the Google Home app or the TV screen. But thankfully, the remote’s performance doesn’t dip as the battery loses juice. The remote control stops working abruptly, letting you know the batteries are dead.
Can I Use Rechargeable Batteries in Chromecast Remote?
Technically, you can use rechargeable AAA batteries in a Chromecast remote. But you’ll have to have a pair of charged AAA batteries handy each time the in-use batteries get depleted.
Non-rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, can be easily swapped, and you can use the remote again within seconds with the new batteries.
The only downside is the cost of buying a new pair. But those are negligible expenditures. Moreover, recharging batteries entails power use. Although the power consumption is insignificant—so is the cost of new AAA batteries.
In short, rechargeable batteries are not a one-time investment as they might seem.
As far as why rechargeable batteries are not standard in Chromecast remote controls, that could be due to power output, battery drain, and other things.
Conclusion
It’s hard to estimate the number of years a Chromecast will last as many variables are at play: usage pattern, ambient temperatures, device handling, etc.
Although a Chromecast’s average lifespan tends to be two years or more, it’s not rare to see the device lasting longer. You may encounter workability concerns during the first two years or after, but those are unlikely to render the device unusable.
The update situation with the device is pretty decent and is one of the reasons Chromecasts come good for so long. Although the first-gen Chromecast isn’t qualified to receive major software updates from Google anymore, it still receives security and bug fixes.
By the way, the one-year warranty is not set in stone. Google could process an exchange request outside the stipulated warranty period for a defective device in some instances, as reported by a Reddit user.
Catherine Tramell has been covering technology as a freelance writer for over a decade. She has been writing for Pointer Clicker for over a year, further expanding her expertise as a tech columnist. Catherine likes spending time with her family and friends and her pastimes are reading books and news articles.