[Bug] The Plex Android app doesn't correctly disconnect from Chromecast

Plex Players
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1

And this prevents users from reconnecting the Plex Android app to a “Chromecast with Google TV” device after it was previously connected.

Steps to reproduce:

  1. Use the Plex Android app to connect to a “Chromecast with Google TV” device.
  2. Wait for connection to succeed.
  3. In the Plex Android app, click the Chromecast button in the top right, then click “Disconnect”.
  4. At this point, the Chromecast should revert back to its standby screen, but it doesn’t - it continues showing Plex.
  5. Click the “Home” button on the “Chromecast with Google TV” remote control.
  6. In the Plex Android app, try reconnecting to the Chromecast.
  7. The Plex app shows that it has connected, but the Chromecast keeps showing the home screen and does not show the Plex app.

Cause of bug: Because the Plex app never disconnected correctly in the first place, the Chromecast doesn’t recognize this “reconnection” as a trigger to start showing the Plex app again.

You can verify that this is a Plex-specific issue because it is not reproducible with the YouTube or Twitch apps.

2

In my Plex Android app, when I click on the Chromecast button, it gives me 2 options:

  1. Chromecast Google TV
  2. happytaz’s Chromecast

Both options are for the same device. I only have one Chromecast with Google TV in my home.

If I connect to Chromecast Google TV, nothing happens. Plex Android app shows it’s connected, but Plex app doesn’t open up on the Chromecast with Google TV.

If I connect the happytaz’s Chromecast, it works perfectly. Plex app on Chromecast opens when I connect and closes when I disconnect.

Do you see the second option or just Chromecast Google TV?

3

I occasionally encounter that bug as well, and just like you said, clicking on “Chromecast with Google TV” itself never does anything even though the Plex app says it connected to something.

However, the main reconnection bug I’m describing in my original post occurs when I’m only selecting the correct “Office Chromecast” entry in the Plex app. And the Plex Chromecast app has never closed for me when I click disconnect, even on other Chromecasts like the Chromecast Ultra. And the Plex app is the only one with this issue (eg. YouTube and Twitch work correctly).

4

Have you tried connecting to the Chromecast using other android devices or an iPhone to see if the same issue occurs?

You should make sure all your apps are up-to-date and reboot your Chromecast and Android device.

5

All Android phones in our house have the same problem (and we don’t have iphones). Can you double-check that it does work with your Android phone? Cast Plex to any Chromecast via the Plex Android app, then disconnect from the Chromecast using the Plex Android app.

Expected result: The Plex Chromecast app closes, and goes back to showing the Chromecast idle screen.

Actual result (for us): The Plex Chromecast app remains open.

6

I forgot to mention: AFAIK, we’re using the latest Plex Android app version. v9.9.0

And Chromecast auto-updates itself whenever there’s a new version available

7

I was able to reproduce your issue. I did find a temporary workaround until Plex fixes the issue.

Once you’re unable to Chromecast Plex since it didn’t disconnect correctly, Chromecast another app like YouTube which will disconnect the Plex app. Now you should be able to Chromecast the Plex app again.

8

Thanks, that workaround works, though it’s annoying and tedious every time I want to use Plex, so I hope Plex fixes it :slight_smile:

9

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