Recently, users of the Chromecast (2nd generation) and Chromecast Audio have encountered significant issues preventing them from streaming audio and video. Reports indicate that many owners of these devices are seeing a message stating, “Untrusted device: [name] couldn’t be verified. This could be caused by outdated device firmware” when attempting to cast content through various apps, such as YouTube.
Google has acknowledged this problem and noted that their team is actively working to resolve it. On March 10th, the company announced they were aware of the malfunction affecting these specific Chromecast models. A follow-up update was provided on March 11th, stating that the team had identified the issue’s cause. They advised users not to perform a factory reset on their devices, as doing so might lead to further complications, such as being unable to reconnect the device.
Cast users can only dismiss the warning message, as there are currently no workarounds available to bypass it. Although the devices can no longer stream content, features like the screensaver, which displays content from Google Photos and other art applications, appear to still function normally. Users have reported that newer Chromecast models, including the 3rd generation and Ultra, do not seem to be affected by this issue.
This recent issue has triggered concerns among users, leading many to speculate whether Google is phasing out support for the older Chromecast models. However, no statements regarding discontinuation have been made. Similar concerns arose previously when Google announced the discontinuation of support for the 1st generation Chromecast. It is essential to note that even though the 1st generation model was deemed out of service, it continues to operate for basic functions.
Both the Chromecast (2nd generation) and Chromecast Audio were launched back in September 2015, highlighting their age in the context of evolving technology. These devices utilize firmware version 1.56.x, which is standard for that generation of Chromecast.
The situation remains fluid, with Google communicating their commitment to restoring functionality as soon as possible. They have promised to keep users informed as more information becomes available. Many users have expressed frustration over the outage, as the devices played a significant role in enhancing home entertainment by enabling seamless streaming from compatible apps.
While waiting for a solution, users are reminded to refrain from taking drastic measures like resetting their devices, which could potentially worsen the situation. As troubleshooting continues, it appears that a server-side fix is likely the most viable solution to restore full functionality.
The occurrence of such technical glitches serves as a reminder of how reliant users have become on digital streaming devices for daily entertainment. As technology progresses and user expectations grow, maintaining support for older devices becomes a challenge for manufacturers. Nonetheless, the swift response from Google indicates a recognition of the inconvenience caused and a commitment to resolving such issues in a timely manner.
For now, users can only wait for updates from Google as they work towards fixing the current issues affecting the Chromecast (2nd gen) and Chromecast Audio, hoping for a resolution that will restore the devices to their proper functioning state.