Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google Chromecast (2nd Gen) and Chromecast Audio customers are dealing with points resulting from an authentication error.
- Customers have tried a number of troubleshooting steps, however nothing works, whereas newer Chromecast fashions stay unaffected.
- Google has not but acknowledged the problem, leaving customers uncertain whether or not this can be a bug or an unannounced end-of-life determination.
Customers of Google’s 2nd era Chromecast and Chromecast Audio units are dealing with vital points at the moment, with their units unable to forged any content material. Reviews have been flooding Reddit and different boards, with pissed off customers encountering an error message that forestalls them from utilizing their units.
The difficulty first gained traction on the r/googlehome subreddit, the place a number of customers shared their experiences of being unable to connect with their Chromecast (2nd Gen). Different customers within the thread confirmed dealing with the identical downside, with experiences coming from completely different nations, suggesting that this isn’t an remoted subject.
Customers have tried widespread troubleshooting strategies — restarting, manufacturing unit resetting, reinstalling the Google Residence app, clearing cache/knowledge, and even attempting completely different networks — however none of those steps seem to resolve the problem.
Just a few customers are additionally reporting seeing one other variant of the problem with an error message that reads: “Untrusted machine: [name] couldn’t be verified. This could possibly be attributable to outdated machine firmware.” The error message solely gives an choice to shut the dialog field, that means customers are utterly locked out of casting. (h/t: 9to5Google)
The issue appears to solely have an effect on older Chromecast fashions, particularly the 2nd era Chromecast and Chromecast Audio. Newer fashions, just like the Chromecast (third gen) and Chromecast Extremely, are reportedly functioning with none points.
Naturally, many customers are nervous that Google could have quietly killed off help for these older Chromecast fashions, successfully bricking them in a single day. Given Google’s historical past of sunsetting merchandise with out a lot warning, this concern isn’t solely unwarranted.
Nonetheless, primarily based on the character of the error message, this appears extra more likely to be a bug slightly than an intentional shutdown. If Google had deliberate to discontinue help, one would count on an official announcement, or on the very least, a clearer message explaining that the units have been not supported. The wording of the “Untrusted machine” error as a substitute suggests some type of firmware verification failure, which might probably be resolved with a server-side repair.
We’ll replace this story if and when Google gives extra readability. Within the meantime, tell us in case you are dealing with the identical subject and you probably have discovered a workaround.
