Attention Chromecast Users: Urgent Warning from Google – Avoid Factory Reset During Current Outage!

Many Chromecast and Chromecast Audio users are facing a major issue. An expired security certificate is causing devices to fail when trying to cast content. Google is aware of the problem and is currently working on a fix.

On Sunday, many users encountered an “untrusted device” message while trying to cast. Tech-savvy individuals quickly traced the issue back to an expired certificate that Google set up for these devices. This certificate had worked for ten years and expired on March 9, 2025, leaving many models unable to connect securely to Google services.

Also read: Google Chromecast outage: Users report issues with Gen 2 device. Could it be the 10-year cycle curse?

Google has since advised users not to factory reset their devices while they wait for a fix. If anyone has already reset their device, Google promises to provide instructions on how to set it up again. The issue stems from the expired certificate, so a factory reset won’t help.

Despite the situation, there is still hope for users. A Polish security researcher, Maciej Mensfeld, offered a potential workaround. By changing the date on your phone to a time before March 9, 2025, and reauthorizing the Chromecast, some users might restore functionality. However, this fix isn’t guaranteed and may not solve issues with streaming services like Spotify.

Interestingly, last year Google introduced a new streaming device while discontinuing support for older Chromecast devices in 2023. This has sparked conversations online, as many continue to rely on those older models. There’s no solid proof that Google’s issues are intentional efforts to promote new devices.

Also read: Microsoft is shutting down Skype: Here’s how to transition to Teams smoothly

This isn’t the first time technology firms have faced problems due to expired certificates. In 2023, Microsoft dealt with issues when cameras on Surface Pro X tablets failed for similar reasons. Cisco also faced criticism after its equipment ran into troubles because of an expired certificate. Even in 2021, Let’s Encrypt allowed a crucial root certificate to expire, affecting many websites and services on outdated devices.