If you’re experiencing the frustrating issue of Ambient Mode turning off after a period of inactivity on your Chromecast with Google TV (CwGTV), don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix this problem.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Issue
Chromecast with Google TV has a setting that allows you to decide when your TV should turn off if it’s not in use. You can choose from a range of time intervals, from as short as 15 minutes to “never.” When you select “never,” the TV should stay on with Ambient Mode activating after inactivity. However, many users have been encountering an issue where Ambient Mode still turns off despite selecting “never.”
The Solution
Google has acknowledged the issue and is actively working on a solution that will be included in a future software update. While we anticipate this fix, here are the steps for a suggested workaround. Keep in mind that this workaround won’t provide a permanent solution but will help prevent your Chromecast from powering off due to inactivity in the meantime. To prevent your CwGTV from powering off due to inactivity and ensure Ambient Mode stays on, you need to enable the hidden “Stay Awake” feature. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Navigate to Settings on your CwGTV.
Step 2: Go to System and select About.
Step 3: Look for Android TV OS build and press the Select button on your remote about seven times. This action will enable the Developer Options on your TV.
Step 4: Now, go back to Settings, scroll down to Developer options, and then enable Stay awake.
By enabling the “Stay Awake” option, you’ll resolve the issue of Ambient Mode turning off due to inactivity. However, please note that it also means your TV will remain awake continuously, preventing the screensaver from activating.
While this workaround doesn’t address the root cause of the issue, it will ensure that your Chromecast with Google TV remains active and doesn’t turn off due to inactivity. This should serve as a temporary solution until Google releases the official software update to resolve the problem.
Additional Note
If you want both Ambient Mode and the screensaver to work together, you’ll need to delve into some technical details and run a Python script, as explained in a separate post.
That’s it! These straightforward steps should help you keep Ambient Mode active on your Chromecast with Google TV, even when it’s set to “never” turn off. We are closely monitoring this situation, and we appreciate your patience as Google works to provide a permanent fix. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask, and we’ll keep you informed of any updates as they become available.