UPDATE: Google has now rolled out a fix for Chromecast users who reset their devices. From their latest blog post:
For users who have performed a factory reset, you will need to update your Google Home app to the latest version (3.30.1.6 for Android and 3.30.106 for iOS) to set up your Chromecast (2nd gen) or Chromecast Audio device again. The app roll out has begun and may take a few days to roll out to everyone. We’ll post a confirmation once the roll out to all users is complete.
Users who did not reset their devices were updated a little earlier this week with an over the air firmware update. Below is the background on the situation.
I recently noticed an unexpected wave of comments on my Chromecast video from a few months ago about the second-generation Chromecast devices suddenly failing to stream content. Mine stopped working too, displaying an error message that the device wasn’t trusted.
The underlying issue turned out to be an expired security certificate that was built into the hardware and set to expire after 10 years. When that certificate lapsed, it effectively halted the casting functionality for this older generation of the device.
In my latest video, we take a look at this issue and what it might mean for other useful long-lifespan devices.
I was surprised by how many of these decade-old Chromecast dongles are still in use, although perhaps I shouldn’t be. Even the 1st generation Chromecasts handle 1080p output, support popular apps, and offer a simple interface that many consumers never felt a need to replace.
Google did respond quickly to the issue and posted a brief statement on its support pages urging users not to factory reset their Chromecasts. They later pushed out a fix that updated all of those non-reset Chromecasts with presumably a new security certificate including mine. But there is still no solution for those who did a factory reset prior to the Google’s support guidance.
I’ve also been following similar concerns in the broadcast television industry, where the upcoming ATSC 3.0 standard allows for signal encryption that requires hardware-based certificates. Many of those certificates carry extended expiration dates, but the Chromecast situation serves as a reminder that even a 10-year window can seem short when a device is still perfectly functional. It would be unfortunate if these devices become e-waste simply because a DRM certificate lapses and can’t be renewed.
While the fix has given relief to those who didn’t reset their units, a portion of owners still have to wait for a workable solution. This case stands as a reminder of how dependent many gadgets are on ongoing support for restrictive DRM even when the hardware itself remains perfectly capable.