Chromecast + UPC + Asus RT-N66U = Frustration

BenEadir

Hi all,

Got myself a Chromecast but can't set it up. The Chromecast is seen on the 2.4khz network no problem by the set up app (both Win 8 and Android) and both apps identify "ChromecastXXXX" and try to set it up but after at least 50 attempts and varios tweaks to the Router plus factory resetting the Chromecast (resulting in it's name changing from ChromecastXXXX to ChromecastYYYY) I'm at my wits end.

I constantly get error messages saying the Android app cannot communicate with the Chromecast and the Win 8 app says the same plus suggests disabling a VPN if one is being used.

A couple of times when using the Chromecast Android app I managed to get the Chromecast screen on the TV to change and display a 4 digit code in the bottom right corner e.g. "SB43" which I'm guessing you then have to enter back into the app to connect the two (a bit like how some bluetooth devices require a pin) but although the app changes screen to something which looks like a box to enter the 4 digit number into an error message stating the app can't communicate with the Chromecast covers the input screen and on pressing "OK" the whole app reverts to the home screen.

I did have a smart DNS enabled on my router but I subsequently reset the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. and rebooted everything so that should no longer ne an issue.

I'm out of ideas and looking for help!!

Ben

micks_address

Try disabling all smart dns routing till you get it working chrome cast and you casting device have to be on the same network and using the same dns routing to get it working. I have Asus merlin firmware running on my router and it allows be to direct dns for the chrome cast and my phone based on Mac address so I can use American Netflix.. It works but it's messy

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

Got myself a Chromecast but can't set it up. The Chromecast is seen on the 2.4khz network no problem by the set up app (both Win 8 and Android) and both apps identify "ChromecastXXXX" and try to set it up but after at least 50 attempts and varios tweaks to the Router plus factory resetting the Chromecast (resulting in it's name changing from ChromecastXXXX to ChromecastYYYY) I'm at my wits end.

I constantly get error messages saying the Android app cannot communicate with the Chromecast and the Win 8 app says the same plus suggests disabling a VPN if one is being used.

A couple of times when using the Chromecast Android app I managed to get the Chromecast screen on the TV to change and display a 4 digit code in the bottom right corner e.g. "SB43" which I'm guessing you then have to enter back into the app to connect the two (a bit like how some bluetooth devices require a pin) but although the app changes screen to something which looks like a box to enter the 4 digit number into an error message stating the app can't communicate with the Chromecast covers the input screen and on pressing "OK" the whole app reverts to the home screen.

I did have a smart DNS enabled on my router but I subsequently reset the DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. and rebooted everything so that should no longer ne an issue.

I'm out of ideas and looking for help!!

Ben

micks_address

Also I take it you have the chronecast app on your phone for setup? I have set one up from a pc

micks_address wrote: »

Try disabling all smart dns routing till you get it working chrome cast and you casting device have to be on the same network and using the same dns routing to get it working. I have Asus merlin firmware running on my router and it allows be to direct dns for the chrome cast and my phone based on Mac address so I can use American Netflix.. It works but it's messy

Ste-

Also try putting your wifi on channel 1-10.

BenEadir

Thanks Guys,

Both my 2.4Ghz network and the Chromecast are showing up on Wifi Analyser and InSSIDer as being on channel 1 with no interference from any other neighbouring networks which are on channels 9-13. My 5Ghz network (the Asus is dual network) is on channel 36 but doesn't really get used by anyone.

All smart DNS and VPN's etc have been disabled with DNS settings reverted to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 followed by a reboot of both the Asus Router and the UPC modem - to be sure to be sure!!

My 2.4Ghz network uses WPA2-Personal security. Could that be an issue? I see the Chromecast is "open".

Do I somehow need to manually add the Chromecast MAC address to the router or set up the guest facility on the router for Chromecast to use? How does the Chromecast communicate with the network if it doesn't know/enter the network security key??

Apologies for the lame questions but network/IP is pushing the envelope of my comfort zone!!

Ben

murphaph

I set one up recently. Definitely no need to manually add a Mac address. I even set it up with a smart DNS set I'm my router. The chromecast uses 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 internally and you can't force it to use something else so when you do get it set up you'll need to ensure requests to those Google DNS servers are either redirected to your smart DNS or sent to a local dead end so your router's settings are used as a fall back. The latter is what I do in my router (send requests to 8.8.*.* back to the chromecast itself actually) as my router only supports local routing tables.

You have some other problem but you'll need to solve the above as well if you want to stream anything via your smart DNS.

Edit: WPA 2 is fine for me.

BenEadir

Thanks Murph,

UPC support helped me set up my router with Static IP addresses so I'm reluctant to hit the "reset to default settings" button. I also had some help from D-Link to set up a Wifi extender which may (I can't remember) have changed a setting on the router but the extender is no longer in use so I guess I could reverse that setting if I could remember it

Ben

_Whimsical_

Have you tried setting it up with the extender plugged out?
I had weeks of frustration trying to set mine up, I had the same issue as you but with an eircom router. I bought a wifi extender and suddenly the chromecast will work if the extender is plugged in. Either it needs a strong wifi signal or else it now connects to my extender access point which must be slightly different even though it's just cloning the wifi signal.

In my thrawl through the internet to find an answer I saw lots of people saying it would only set up if they had it plugged into a socket rather than a usb power source. Didn't help me but might be worth a try.

I also saw someone mention somewhere on boards that they completed the initial set up at a friends house and when they then plugged it in at their house it worked. Might also be worth a try?

brianomc

Just going by where you ask "How does the Chromecast communicate with the network if it doesn't know/enter the network security key??", maybe you are skipping a step.
When you first plug in the chromecast it sends out its own wifi network, connect to that wifi network using your phone (no password required) then open the chromecast app on your phone/tablet and set it up in there with the password to connect to your normal network.

Kleine Hundin

brianomc wrote: »

Just going by where you ask "How does the Chromecast communicate with the network if it doesn't know/enter the network security key??", maybe you are skipping a step.
When you first plug in the chromecast it sends out its own wifi network, connect to that wifi network using your phone (no password required) then open the chromecast app on your phone/tablet and set it up in there with the password to connect to your normal network.

Because the chromecast creates its own hotspot first which the setup client has to connect to. Your PC or connecting client needs to be on wifi. If your PC is wired, it is not going to be able to communicate with chromecast to get it the credentials to use to logon to your wifi network.

BenEadir

brianomc wrote: »

Just going by where you ask "How does the Chromecast communicate with the network if it doesn't know/enter the network security key??", maybe you are skipping a step.
When you first plug in the chromecast it sends out its own wifi network, connect to that wifi network using your phone (no password required) then open the chromecast app on your phone/tablet and set it up in there with the password to connect to your normal network.

Hi Brian, that did the trick!! Thanks a million. I was really pulling my hair out.

I don't understand why both my laptop and phone tried connecting to the Chromecast on my 2.4Ghz network instead of first connecting the the Chromecast hotspot!!

Anyway, I now have the Chromecast working fine on my 2.4Ghz network so the next two questions are:-

1. What are the best apps to use with Chromecast? <- I'll research this myself, I'm not that lazy!!

2. How do I get the Chromecast to play US Netflix using my Smart DNS service?

Ben

murphaph

BenThere wrote: »

2. How do I get the Chromecast to play US Netflix using my Smart DNS service?

See my post above. Chromecast will always use it's hardcoded DNS entries (the Google ones) which you clearly do not want as it won't get around Netflix etc. geoblocking. You want your smart DNS address to be used for resolving URI's.

The ideal scenario is that your existing router (which is powered on all the time anyway) is capable of doing "something" to this end.

Some routers will allow you to set up a routing table so you can redirect all requests to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 transparently to your smart DNS IP's. Mine is not capable of that. Mine can however route all traffic to subnet 8.8.*.* to an INTERNAL IP address on my network. So, I tell my router to send all these requests back to the IP the Chromecast has. The Chromecast has no DNS server running so it will fail to resolve the names and the request will be sent to my router's default DNS servers (the smart DNS ones) and it will work as expected, geoblocking defeated.

If your router is really basic and can't do this either, you need to consider other options like running some other piece of hardware that can do these things and send all requests there from your router. Or buy a more capable router etc. The actual Netflix version you access under your smart DNS is determined by your smart DNS account config. You need to log in to most of them and instruct them which Netflix region you want to use. At least that's how it is with overPlay and UnoTelly (the only 2 I've used)

See here for a tutorial on what you need to do to get it working.

BenEadir

murphaph wrote: »

Mine can however route all traffic to subnet 8.8.*.* to an INTERNAL IP address on my network. So, I tell my router to send all these requests back to the IP the Chromecast has. The Chromecast has no DNS server running so it will fail to resolve the names and the request will be sent to my router's default DNS servers (the smart DNS ones) and it will work as expected, geoblocking defeated.

My router is supposed to be the dogs danglies, see http://www.engadget.com/products/asus/rt-n66u but unfortunately I'm not. I'm a self taught tech user who's happy flashing ROMs and replacing 8.8.*.* with the Unblock-us.com smart DNS settings on my router etc but that's about it. Networking has always been a weak point and the more I read about it the more my brain burns.

In the routers control panel there are loads of options but the terminology is foreign to me so I don't know how to route all 8.8.*.* traffic to a dead end IP address. I'm sure I'd get there by trial and error but the potential downside of messing up the entire set up outweighs the possible benefit. Basically I'm scared to mess around with the router settings

Ben

BenEadir

I've also just noticed that once you've connected to it and set it up the Chromecast no longer broadcasts as a WiFi hotspot. God I hope someone else who is having this struggle finds this thread before they start messing around with router setting etc!!

Ben

brianomc

No worries, had only bought one for my dad last week so had some recent experience setting it up in my house and then his.
If you find it locked to an old/wrong network i think you can hold down some button on it for 25 seconds to do a factory reset.
Only app i tested it with was plex. Worked very well, did some casting from his desktop web browser to it too. That was a nice feature for sports streams

murphaph

BenThere wrote: »

My router is supposed to be the dogs danglies, see http://www.engadget.com/products/asus/rt-n66u but unfortunately I'm not. I'm a self taught tech user who's happy flashing ROMs and replacing 8.8.*.* with the Unblock-us.com smart DNS settings on my router etc but that's about it. Networking has always been a weak point and the more I read about it the more my brain burns.

In the routers control panel there are loads of options but the terminology is foreign to me so I don't know how to route all 8.8.*.* traffic to a dead end IP address. I'm sure I'd get there by trial and error but the potential downside of messing up the entire set up outweighs the possible benefit. Basically I'm scared to mess around with the router settings

Ben

Did you check out the link I added Ben?

Jo explains the whole process for a router like yours in some detail:

How to block Google’s DNS servers on your router

This configuration is only really needed if your DNS lookup reaches Google’s servers before your Smart DNS ones.

Again, because every router is different, you may need to consult your router’s manual to see how to achieve this.

If your router can route traffic outside of your internal network (e.g. Asus, Netgear, D-link, TP-Link and Trendnet routers, amongst others) try this method:

Make note of your routers IP address (This is usually located somewhere on or near the routers front page)
Locate the part of the router’s configuration where you can add static routes. This could be called Route or Static Routes and it may be hidden behind an advanced layer.
If required, set enable static routes to yes, or add a static route or route list.
Add the following in the available fields for two separate static routes.
Network/Host IP: 8.8.8.8
Netmask: 255.255.255.255
Gateway: your router IP address
Metric: 2 (If required)
Interface: WAN, LAN or LAN & Wireless (if required)


Network/Host IP: 8.8.4.4
Netmask: 255.255.255.255
Gateway: your router IP address
Metric: 2 (If required)
Interface: WAN, LAN or LAN & Wireless (if required)


Test by pinging 8.8.8.8 as well as 8.8.4.4. If it fails, then the configurations are correct.
Powercycle the router by switching it off and then on again.

If your router has a page like this (which according to the specs it does) then you're golden. It's a simple matter of adding the route. You can't really screw it up. The routes can be deleted with a simple click if you make a mistake.

BenEadir

I can confirm if you hold down the little button on the Chromecast whilst it is powered on for 25 seconds (not sure it actually needs that long but the forum I got the instruction from suggested it did) thenwhilst still holding the button down you unplug the micro usb cable and wait 5 seconds before plugging it back in again the Chromecast will reset to it's factory settings and will have a new name i.e. if it was Chromecast1234 it will now be Chromecast5678.

I'll have a look at Plex which I heard a bit about but have never used. I'd really like to be able to cast content from my NAS to my bedroom TV using my phone. I don't suppose it's possible to cast XBMC or MX Player or anything like that? I have media boxes on the two downstairs TV's but the bedroom TV is primarily used for watching downloaded box sets stored on my NAS.

I guess it's time to get researching exactly what I can do with this thing!!

Ben

BenEadir

murphaph wrote: »

Did you check out the link I added Ben?

Jo explains the whole process for a router like yours in some detail:


If your router has a page like this (which according to the specs it does) then you're golden. It's a simple matter of adding the route. You can't really screw it up. The routes can be deleted with a simple click if you make a mistake.

That's EXACTLY the control panel page I have. I'm going to get onto it straight away!!!

Cheers Murph, that's super info.

Ben

BenEadir

murphaph wrote: »

Mine can however route all traffic to subnet 8.8.*.* to an INTERNAL IP address on my network. So, I tell my router to send all these requests back to the IP the Chromecast has. The Chromecast has no DNS server running so it will fail to resolve the names and the request will be sent to my router's default DNS servers (the smart DNS ones) and it will work as expected, geoblocking defeated.

Hi Murph,

I added a route for both 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as instructed, rebooted the router and then pinged both 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. On both occasions I got timeouts which I guess means the routing is working as it is sending requests for 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to a dead end resulting the the Chromecast having to use the Smart DNS settings on my router instead?

I'll try US Netflix later to see if it's working. EDIT: I just cast US Netflix no problem whatseover. Happy Days!!!

BTW, does it matter wheter I send the 8.8.8.8. requests to the WAN IP address or to the LAN IP address? I'm using the WAN IP address in my route tables.

Cheers again.

Ben

murphaph

I think your router can actually route requests to external IPs, so you can route requests to the Google DNS serbrtd straight to your smart DNS servers rather than dead ending them. Should be marginally quicker that way. My router only allows internal IP routing to I have no choice but to dead end.

BenEadir

murphaph wrote: »

I think your router can actually route requests to external IPs, so you can route requests to the Google DNS serbrtd straight to your smart DNS servers rather than dead ending them. Should be marginally quicker that way. My router only allows internal IP routing to I have no choice but to dead end.

OK so should I change the settings to the following?

Network/Host IP: 8.8.8.8
Netmask: 255.255.255.255
Gateway: My Smart DNS IP Address i.e. 208.122.23.23
Metric: 2 (If required)
Interface: WAN

What is "netmask" and is it always 255.255.255.255?

murphaph

Yes, just make a note of what's working for you now and then change them to the above. Netmask is all 1's (255.255.255.255) yes.

For the Gateway you should probably enter your router's IP address as the tutorial describes. If you're not comfortable then just leave it the way it is. It's up and running and tbh mine works the same way and I don't notice and delay when starting geoblocked streams on the Chromecast. Happy streaming.

_Whimsical_

BenThere wrote: »

I'll have a look at Plex which I heard a bit about but have never used. I'd really like to be able to cast content from my NAS to my bedroom TV using my phone. I don't suppose it's possible to cast XBMC or MX Player or anything like that? I have media boxes on the two downstairs TV's but the bedroom TV is primarily used for watching downloaded box sets stored on my NAS.

I guess it's time to get researching exactly what I can do with this thing!!

Ben

According to a post somewhere here it is, instructions here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVMIk8_BxUM
Havent tried it myself though now.