MX Player Cast Not Working: Chromecast and Screen Cast Fixes

When MX Player casting fails, it is usually not “one bug” but a mismatch between how casting works (Chromecast versus Miracast-style screen casting), your network setup, and which version of MX Player you are using. This guide walks through practical, repeatable fixes for both Chromecast casting and full screen mirroring, with clear checkpoints so you can isolate the real cause instead of trying random toggles.

1. Confirm What “Cast” You Are Trying To Do.

People often say “cast” when they mean two different technologies:

• Chromecast casting (Google Cast): Your phone sends a stream link or media session to the Chromecast or TV, and playback happens on the TV device.
• Screen cast / screen mirroring (Miracast or OEM solutions): Your phone’s entire screen is mirrored to the TV, including MX Player’s UI.

This distinction matters because the troubleshooting steps differ. Chromecast is sensitive to Wi Fi isolation, router multicast settings, and Google Play services behavior. Screen mirroring is sensitive to device compatibility, DRM restrictions, and power saving settings.

1.1 How To Tell Which Mode You’re Using

• If you tap a Cast icon (usually the rectangle with Wi Fi waves) inside an app or in the Google Home UI, that is typically Chromecast.
• If you use Android’s Cast / Screen cast quick setting and it mirrors everything, that is screen mirroring (implementation varies by brand).

MX Player may not support Chromecast casting in every region or app variant, and some playback types may be blocked (for example, protected streams). If you are trying to cast local files, the path can differ from casting online content.

1.2 A Quick Compatibility Checklist

Are you using a real Chromecast device or a TV with built-in Chromecast (Google Cast)?

Is your Android phone and Chromecast on the same Wi Fi network (same SSID, same band where applicable)?

Are you trying to play a video that is DRM-protected (common with streaming apps)? Screen mirroring can be blocked or show a black screen.

Does casting work from other apps (YouTube, Netflix, Chrome)? If yes, the issue is more likely MX Player-specific.

2. Fixes For Chromecast Not Showing Up or Not Connecting

If MX Player cannot find your Chromecast, or the device appears but fails to connect, focus on discovery and network path issues first. Chromecast discovery relies on local network protocols that can be blocked by router settings or “guest mode” segmentation.

2.1 Put Phone and Chromecast on the Same Network (Not Guest Wi Fi)

This is the most common root cause. Many routers isolate guest networks so devices cannot see each other. Chromecast discovery typically fails in that scenario.

• Connect your phone and Chromecast to the same SSID.
• Avoid guest Wi Fi, hotel Wi Fi, and captive portals where possible.

If you have multiple routers or mesh nodes, ensure the Chromecast and phone are on the same LAN, not separated by routing rules.

2.2 Restart in the Right Order (This Often Fixes Discovery)

Discovery issues can be “sticky” due to cached network state. Use a clean restart sequence:

• Turn off Wi Fi on your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
• Power-cycle the Chromecast (unplug power for 20 seconds, plug back in).
• Restart your router (if practical), then wait until it is fully online.
• Open Google Home and confirm the Chromecast appears and is reachable.

If Google Home cannot see or control the device, MX Player will usually fail too. Fix Google Home connectivity first, then come back to MX Player.

2.3 Check Router Settings That Break Chromecast Discovery

Some router features disrupt the local discovery and control channels that Chromecast uses.

• AP isolation / client isolation: If enabled, devices cannot talk to each other on Wi Fi.
• Multicast / mDNS / IGMP snooping: Discovery often depends on multicast traffic; overly strict settings can block it.
• Firewall rules: Guest or IoT VLAN rules can prevent phone-to-Chromecast communication.

If you use a mesh system, also check if it has an “IoT network” or “device isolation” toggle. If your goal is casting, your phone must be allowed to reach the Chromecast locally.

2.4 Update Google Home, Google Play Services, and Firmware

Chromecast casting relies heavily on Google’s system components on Android.

• Update Google Home from the Play Store.
• Update Google Play services (it updates through the Play Store and system updates).
• In Google Home, open your device and ensure it is up to date (Chromecast firmware updates are generally automatic, but they can lag if the device is rarely rebooted).

If casting works in other apps but fails in MX Player only, still do these updates, because MX Player may be calling the same underlying Cast APIs.

3. Fixes When MX Player Connects But Video Won’t Play

A different class of problem is when you can connect to the Chromecast, but playback fails, stutters, shows a black screen, or stops after a few seconds. That usually points to media format, permissions, or network throughput.

3.1 Test With Known-Good Content First

Before changing settings, isolate whether the issue is content-specific.

• Cast a YouTube video to confirm the Chromecast and network are healthy.
• In MX Player, try a small, common-format local video (for example, H.264 video with AAC audio in MP4) if you have one.

If only one particular file fails, your “cast not working” issue may actually be a codec or container issue.

3.2 Understand Codec and Container Limitations (Common Failure Point)

Chromecast devices support a set of codecs and containers, but not everything your phone can play locally. MX Player can often decode formats on-device that the Chromecast cannot decode natively.

If your video is HEVC (H.265), high-bitrate 4K, or has unusual audio formats, the Chromecast may fail to play it depending on model.

Subtitles can also complicate casting if they are not in a compatible format or if the cast method does not support overlaying them.

If the file plays fine on your phone but not on Chromecast, try converting the file to a widely compatible format, or test with a different playback method (screen mirroring instead of Chromecast) to confirm.

3.3 Grant Local Network and Media Permissions

On modern Android versions, permissions can quietly block discovery or access to local files.

• Ensure MX Player has permission to access your media files (Photos and Videos or Files and media, depending on Android version).
• If your phone prompts for “Nearby devices” or local network-related permissions for casting, allow them.

If you denied a permission previously, go to Settings, Apps, MX Player, Permissions, and enable the relevant permissions.

3.4 Turn Off VPN, Private DNS Filters, and Ad Blockers Temporarily

VPNs and some DNS-level filtering can interfere with device discovery or the control channel even when the network “looks fine.”

• Disable VPN and try casting again.
• Temporarily set Private DNS to Automatic (or Off, depending on device options) and test.

If you run network-wide ad blocking (Pi-hole or similar), test briefly with it disabled, because it can block Google Cast endpoints.

4. Fixes For Screen Cast (Mirroring) Not Working With MX Player

If you are screen mirroring instead of Chromecast casting, the failure modes are different. Screen cast can fail to connect, lag heavily, or show a black screen while audio continues.

4.1 If You Get a Black Screen, Consider DRM and Secure Video

A black screen during mirroring is often caused by protected video paths. Many apps block mirroring for DRM content. Even when playing local files, some devices use secure overlays or hardware paths that do not mirror cleanly.

• Test with a non-DRM local video you recorded yourself.

If only some videos show black while others mirror normally, the limitation is likely content-related rather than a broken cast feature.

4.2 Disable Battery Optimization For the Casting Path

Aggressive battery optimization can interrupt background Wi Fi activity during long playback, especially on devices with strict power management.

• On Android: Settings, Apps, MX Player, Battery, set to Unrestricted (wording varies).
• Also consider excluding Google Home and Google Play services from optimization if your device allows it.

If your cast disconnects after a few minutes, this step is more relevant than codec troubleshooting.

4.3 Reduce Resolution and Background Load

Screen mirroring is effectively live video encoding plus Wi Fi transmission. Older phones and congested networks struggle.

• Move closer to the router or use 5 GHz Wi Fi if available.
• Close high-usage apps (games, large downloads, cloud backups).
• Disable Bluetooth temporarily if you suspect heavy 2.4 GHz interference (environment dependent).

If mirroring is choppy but Chromecast casting is smooth, prefer Chromecast for supported content because it does not require full-screen real-time encoding on the phone.

5. MX Player App-Level Troubleshooting That Actually Helps

Once you have confirmed the network and cast method, move on to app-level steps. These address corrupted caches, outdated builds, and configuration conflicts.

5.1 Update MX Player (And Verify Which MX Player You Have)

MX Player exists in multiple distributions and may behave differently by region and device. Make sure you are testing on the latest version available for your device from your app store.

• Update MX Player in the Play Store.

If you installed MX Player from outside the Play Store, confirm you trust the source and that you are on a recent build. Unofficial builds can break casting or introduce incompatibilities.

5.2 Clear Cache (Not Data) as a First Pass

Cache corruption can cause weird, inconsistent behavior without affecting other apps.

• Settings, Apps, MX Player, Storage.
• Tap Clear cache.
• Reopen MX Player and test casting.

Only clear data if you are comfortable reconfiguring preferences, as it may reset settings.

5.3 Test With Hardware Decoder Versus Software Decoder

MX Player is known for offering multiple decoding paths. In some scenarios, one decoder works better with casting or mirroring stability than another.

• If the video plays but stutters or crashes during casting, try switching decoding mode for that file (options vary by version).
• After changing decoder settings, restart playback and test again.

This is not a universal fix, but it is a practical lever when a particular file triggers issues.

6. Step-by-Step “Most Likely Fix” Flow (Chromecast)

If you want a fast path that covers the highest-probability causes in order, follow this sequence and stop when it works.

6.1 The 10-Minute Diagnostic Sequence

1. Confirm casting works from YouTube.
2. Open Google Home and verify the Chromecast is visible and controllable.
3. Connect phone and Chromecast to the same non-guest Wi Fi SSID.
4. Disable VPN and Private DNS temporarily.
5. Restart Chromecast (power unplug) and restart phone.
6. Update Google Home, Google Play services, and MX Player.
7. Try a known-good MP4 file (H.264/AAC) as a test.

If this works with the test file but not your real video, you likely have a format or bitrate issue and should consider converting the file or using a different playback approach.

7. Step-by-Step “Most Likely Fix” Flow (Screen Mirroring)

For screen cast issues, your priority is compatibility and stability rather than Chromecast discovery.

7.1 The 10-Minute Diagnostic Sequence

1. Mirror your home screen first (not video) to confirm basic mirroring works.
2. Test with a short, non-DRM local clip (recorded video).
3. Disable battery optimization for MX Player.
4. Move to 5 GHz Wi Fi if available and reduce network load.
5. Restart the TV or dongle and your phone.

If mirroring works for the UI but turns black only when video starts, that points strongly to DRM or secure video path limitations.

8. Common Questions People Ask About MX Player Casting

8.1 Why Does My Chromecast Show Up Sometimes and Then Disappear?

This is usually network instability or isolation. The phone may hop between access points or between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, or the router may block multicast discovery intermittently. Keeping both devices on the same SSID, avoiding guest networks, and rebooting the router often stabilizes discovery.

8.2 Why Does Casting Work in YouTube but Not in MX Player?

If YouTube casting works, your Chromecast and network are generally fine. The likely causes are:

• The specific media format is not compatible with your Chromecast model.
• MX Player’s cast pathway for that content type is not supported or is restricted.
• Permissions or app-level issues (outdated build, corrupted cache) affecting MX Player only.

8.3 Can I Cast Subtitles From MX Player to Chromecast?

Subtitle support depends on the casting method and subtitle format. Screen mirroring will usually show whatever is on your phone screen (including subtitles), while Chromecast casting may require subtitle support in the cast session. If subtitles fail only during Chromecast casting, test by burning subtitles into the video during conversion or use screen mirroring as a workaround.

8.4 What Is the Best Long-Term Fix If I Cast Local Files Often?

The most reliable approach is to keep local files in a Chromecast-friendly format (commonly H.264 video and AAC audio in MP4) and keep your router configured to allow local device discovery (no client isolation on the network you use for casting). If you routinely play high-bitrate or unusual codecs, consider a playback device that supports more formats natively, or play via a media server app designed for Chromecast.

9. When To Stop Troubleshooting and Switch Strategy

It is worth switching strategies if the problem is not “broken casting” but a hard limitation.

• If a file is incompatible with Chromecast, convert the file or use screen mirroring.
• If screen mirroring shows a black screen only during playback, assume DRM or secure video path limitations and use a supported casting method for that content.
• If your router isolates clients and you cannot change it (dorms, hotels), casting may be unreliable. A travel router you control can help, but that is outside MX Player itself.

By separating Chromecast casting issues from screen mirroring issues, you can usually get to a clear answer quickly: either a fixable network or app setting, or a media and compatibility limitation that needs a different playback plan.

Citations

• Troubleshoot Chromecast and Google TV Streamer connection. (Google Chromecast Help)
• Chromecast Not Showing? Common Issues and Ways to Fix (No Cast Icon). (Archway Tech)
• Google Home app help for device control and setup. (Google Nest Help)
• Android casting and screen sharing basics (device-dependent). (Google Android Help)