How to Setup ExpressVPN on Chromecast (2024)
TechShielder

How to Setup and Use ExpressVPN on Chromecast (2024)

Chromecast allows you to access several streaming services. Unfortunately, it’s region-specific. So, you need a VPN to bypass the geographical restrictions. ExpressVPN comes in handy to solve this problem.

This article provides you with several options on how to set up and use ExpressVPN on Chromecast.

How to setup ExpressVPN on Chromecast

There are two ways to get ExpressVPN working on Chromecast. You can either set it up through a VPN-enabled virtual router or a physical router.

1. Using a physical router

Step 1: To do this, you need a VPN-enabled router. If your router is VPN-enabled, follow the steps here to set up ExpressVPN on your router.

Step 2: Once you setup ExpressVPN on your router, start the Chromecast app or setup guide.

Step 3: Connect to the network that your VPN enabled router is transmitting.

Step 4: Input your password and click on ‘Set Network’.

After this, your Chromecast should enjoy a VPN-enabled connection.

2. Using a virtual router

You can either set your Windows PC or Mac.

(i) Connect from your Windows PC

Before you start, you should note the following:

  • Don’t connect your Windows to the ExpressVPN app before you start setting up your virtual router.

If you’re using Windows 10, follow steps 9-12 below.

Step 1: Confirm if your Windows can be connected to a virtual router. Press ‘Windows + S’to open the search bar.

Step 2: Enter ‘cmd’ to display the Command Prompt. Then, right-click on the Command Prompt bar and click on ‘Run as administrator’.

Step 3: In the Command Prompt, paste the following and press ‘Enter’.

netsh wlan show drivers

Step 4: Check for ‘Hosted network supported: Yes’. If you see it, then your Windows can be a virtual router. If you don’t, you need to update your network adapter drivers.

Step 5: Repeat Step 2above. Then, enter the command below. Replace ‘Networkname’ and ‘Password’ with your preferred choice and press ‘Enter’.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD

Your Windows will display a message confirming that the action above was successful.

Step 6: Start your virtual router by entering the command below in the Command Prompt. After, press ‘Enter’.

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

If your virtual router starts successfully, you should see a message stating ‘the hosted network started’. If it does not, then you need to update your network adapter drivers.

Step 7: The next step is toshare your virtual router. To do this, open the ‘Run’prompt by pressing Windows + R. Input ‘ncpa.cpl’ and press ‘OK’. You should see the VPN connection you created. Note the name as you’ll need it later.

Step 8: Right-click on the ‘ExpressVPN Tap Adapter’, select ‘Properties’, then select ‘Sharing’. After this, tick the box close to ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’. Click ‘OK’.

For Windows 10

Step 9: Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Network & Internet’ > ‘Mobile hotspot’ and switch it On

Step 10: Under ‘Share my internet connection from’, choose ‘Wi-Fi’. Then, click ‘Edit’ to set a new network name and password.

Step 11: Select ‘Change adapter settings’ under ‘Related settings’.

Step 12: Right-click on the ‘ExpressVPN Tap Adapter’, then select ‘Properties’. After, choose Sharing. Then, tick the box for ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’. Click ‘OK’.

Step 13: Next, Launch the ExpressVPN app and connect to any server location of your choice.

Step 14: Connect your Chromecast to your virtual router and enjoy a VPN-enabled connection.

(ii) Connect from your Mac

Before you start, you should note the following.

  • It’s not possible to connect from your Mac through the app and the manual configuration simultaneously. As such, ensure you’ve disconnected your app from the VPN before you proceed.
  • Also, to share Mac’s VPN connection over Wi-Fi, make sure you connect your MacBook to the internet with an ethernet cable. However, in case your MacBook does not have an ethernet port, you can use an ethernet adapter for the connection.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Obtain your ExpressVPN details for the VPN setup. To do this, click ‘Set Up ExpressVPN’ in the welcome email you received when you signed up for ExpressVPN. After, select ‘Manual Configuration’.

If you can’t find the link, sign in to your ExpressVPN account here. After you’ve successfully signed in, select ‘Set Up Other Devices’. Then, on the left side of your screen, select ‘Manual Configuration’.

Step 2: Next, select ‘PPTP & L2TP/IPsec’. It should then display your username, password, and a list of server addresses. Note this information as you’ll need it to complete the setup.

Step 3: Set up the L2TP VPN on your Mac. To do this, click the Apple logo in the top-left area of your screen. After, select ‘System Preferences’ then  ‘Network’.

Step 4: Select ‘+’ to create a VPN connection. A window should pop-up. Input the following details, then click ‘Create’.

  • Interface: Choose a VPN.
  • VPN Type: Choose ‘L2TP over IPsec’.
  • Service Name: Enter your preferred name.

Step 5: Navigate to the network window and input the following details:

  • Configuration: Choose ‘Default’.
  • Server Address: Enter any of the server addresses listed in step 2.
  • Account Name: Enter the username in step 2above.

Step 6: To show your VPN connection status in the menu bar, tick the boxclose to ‘Show VPN status in menu bar’.

Step 7: Select ‘Authentication Settings’, enter the information below, and click ‘OK’.

  • Password: Input the password in step 2.
  • Shared secret: ‘12345678’

Step 8: Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab. Then, tick the box for ‘Send all traffic over VPN connection’ and click ‘OK’.

Step 9: Select ‘Apply’to save all the settings.

Step 10: Navigate to ‘Network’, then click ‘Connect’ to begin your VPN connection. Note, if you’ve successfully connected, you’ll see the word ‘Connected’ under your connection name.

Step 11: Navigate to ‘System Preferences’ then ‘Sharing’ and finally ‘Internet Sharing’.

Step 12: A list of options will pop-up. Do the following:

  • Share your connection from Select the L2TP VPN connectionyou’ve just created.
  • To computers using: Tick the box for Wi-Fi.

Step 13: Select ‘Wi-Fi Options’, input the following, and click ‘OK.

  • Network Name: Choose your preferred name.
  • Channel: Choose the defaultoption.
  • Security: Pick WPA2 Personal.
  • Password: Create your password.

Step 14: Navigate to the ‘Sharing’ window and tick the box next to ‘Internet Sharing’.

Step 15: Select ‘Turn Wi-Fi on’if your Wi-Fi is off.

Step 16: Select ‘Start’ to turn on ‘Internet Sharing’. A green dot should appear next to the text ‘Internet Sharing: On’ iconconfirming that your connection was successful.

If you want to stop sharing your VPN connection, navigate to ‘System Preferences > Sharing’, then untick the ‘Internet Sharing’ box.

Also, if you need to disconnect from the L2TP connection, navigate to ‘System Preferences > Network’. After, on the left of your screen, select the name of the L2TP VPN connection and click ‘Disconnect’.

Final words

If you don’t know what to do, then setting up ExpressVPN on your Chromecast might appear complicated. In this article, we’ve simplified the various methods you can use. So, pick one and follow it to set up ExpressVPN on your Chromecast.

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