HDMI-CEC issues with the Chromecast with Google TV cut both ways: either CEC isn't working (the remote won't control TV power/volume) or it's too aggressive (the Chromecast turns the TV on by itself, grabs the input, or its remote drives the wrong device). Both are fixed by tuning CEC on the correct side. (If the Chromecast won't even appear during initial setup, that's a different problem covered in our Chromecast can't find device setup fix.) Here's the order.
If the remote WON'T control the TV (power/volume)
- Enable CEC on the TV under its brand name. Anynet+ (Samsung), SimpLink (LG), Bravia Sync (Sony), plain CEC (Vizio/TCL/Hisense). If CEC is off on the TV, the Chromecast remote can't send power/volume.
- Re-run the remote's device control setup. Settings > Remotes & Accessories > (your remote) > Remote buttons / Set up remote buttons — let it detect the TV so volume/power map correctly.
- Use a certified HDMI cable — a marginal one can drop the CEC control channel while video keeps working.
If CEC is TOO aggressive (unwanted on/input-grab)
- Stop the Chromecast turning the TV on: disable "Turn on TV with your remote / one-touch play" behavior — usually controlled by the TV's CEC one-touch-play setting. Turn off the TV's auto power-on / CEC power if you don't want the Chromecast waking it.
- Stop input-grabbing: on the TV, disable CEC auto input switching (the setting that jumps to the active device).
- Remote controls the wrong device: re-run the remote button setup (above) so volume/power target the TV, not another CEC device on the bus.
If devices fight (a CEC loop)
Three+ CEC devices (Chromecast, soundbar, TV) can cancel each other out — random power/input behavior. Disable CEC on the device you don't need it on (often the soundbar or a secondary source), leaving it on the TV + Chromecast only. A soundbar connected over HDMI ARC or eARC relies on this same CEC channel, which is why it is usually the device to take out of the loop.
Reset the CEC bus
Power everything off, unplug the TV and Chromecast for at least 30 seconds, then power the TV first, then the Chromecast. This clears a stuck CEC state — the usual reason CEC "just started misbehaving."
FAQ
My Chromecast remote won't change the TV volume. Enable CEC on the TV under its brand name, then re-run the remote's device setup (Remotes & Accessories) so volume/power map to the TV.
The Chromecast turns my TV on by itself. That's CEC one-touch-play. Turn off the TV's CEC auto power-on / one-touch-play setting.
It switches to the wrong input. Disable the TV's CEC auto input switching, and reset the CEC bus (unplug TV + Chromecast 30+ seconds, TV first).
Devices behave randomly. That's a CEC loop among three+ devices. Turn CEC off on the one you don't need it on, leaving it on the TV and Chromecast.