[Solution] Can I Play MKV Video Files on Chromecast?

Karen Nelson
March 16, 2022

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Chromecast is a streaming media adapter, which allows you to play internet or local media resource on TV. When casting local files in .mkv format from Chrome browser to Chromecast, you will probably find it end up downloading them into your download folder, rather than playing them inside Chrome. Why is this? Keep reading this article and we aim to give you the possible solutions to cast MKV to Chromecast smoothly without playback issue.

Why MKV Failed to Cast through Chromecast

Chromecast supports MP4, WebM, MPEG-DASH, Smooth Streaming, and HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) video files. Does it play MKV? As is known, MKV is a video container that can hold lots of video and audio codec. Chromecast can support MKV with H.264 video codec or AAC audio codec. However, if your MKV file contains H.265 video codec or DTS/AC3 audio codec, you cannot stream these files through Chromecast. In order to play MKV in Chromecast successfully, there may be various ways, but here you will learn two of the most commonly used methods.

Solutions to Cast MKV to Chromecast

1. Renaming MKV to MP4

For streaming MKV files to Chromecast, there is a quick and simple method provided by a Reddit user: just change the extension from .mkv to .mp4 , which seems to trick Chromecast to treat an MKV file as an MP4 file.

P.S. This won’t work for every file.

2. Convert MKV to Chromecast Supported Video Formats

If you tried the above solution and it does not work for you, the ultimate solution is to transcode MKV to Chromecast supported video formats. A good video converter can help you solve many unnecessary troubles. The stable converter — VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate for example which always does the remarkable job on video conversion.

This professional MKV to Chromecast video converter can help you successfully transfer MKV to over 300 formats including MP4. Moreover, it supports batch conversion and multiple MKV files combination into one. It also has edit functions and supports HD/4K UHD and 3D conversion. You can follow the step by step guide to convert MKV to Chromecast supported formats.

Make Preparation: Download the professional MKV to Chromecast converter here (for Windows & Mac).

Step 1. Import MKV Files to the Converter

Click “Add Files” button to import MKV files into VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. You can also choose to import an entire folder.

Step 2. Choose a Chromecast Friendly Format

MP4 (H.264+AAC) is one of Chromecast’s friendly formats. So you can click the drop-down icon of “Convert All to > Video” to choose MP4 as the exporting format.

Tips: you can click on “Settings” next to the format to ensure the video encoder is H.264, and the audio encoder is AAC.

Step 3. Start MKV to Chromecast Conversion

After all necessary settings, you can hit the “Convert All” button to start converting MKV to MP4 or other Chromecast supported formats. Once the conversion finished, locate the converted video from the specified output folder.

Step 4. Cast Local File from Computer to Chromecast

Your computer and Chromecast need to be in the same Wi-Fi environment.
Launch Chrome web browser on your computer.
Click on the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner.
Select the “Cast” option from the menu.
Once the little tab opens, click on “Source”.
Click on “Cast file” to play the converted video in Chrome.
Now the video can also be viewed on TV through Chromecast.

3. Cast from VLC Media Player

If you don’t want to convert the video, you can use the VLC Media Player as well. The VLC 3.0 and above support the cast feature. Download and launch the VLC program on your computer and follow the steps below.

First, make sure your computer and the Chromecast are connected to the same WiFi.

Second, open the MKV file in VLC Media Player.

Third, in the VLC player, click on Playback > Renderer and then choose your Chromecast.

Finally, the casting will be shown on your TV through the Chromecast device.

Note:

Chrome needs to work all the way through playing the converted video on Chromecast. You cannot close the browser window, otherwise, the projection stops.

So this is how to convert DAV to MP4 with VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. The whole progress is user-friendly and convenient. It can convert DAV File to MP4 at super-fast speed even you import batches. It also provides a free trial version. Download and have a try!

Conclusion

I hope these two methods can help you cast MKV to Chromecast successfully. You can try the first one and take VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate as an ultimate approach. When you are going to enjoy high-quality movies on Chromecast, no need to worry about the video format issues anymore.