A mysterious bug is affecting numerous older Chromecast devices, as per a lengthy thread on Reddit

Over the weekend, many users experienced significant issues with Google's second-generation Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices, leading to a widespread outage. An expired security certificate appears to be the root cause of this disruption, rendering affected devices nearly unusable. Users reported encountering error messages like 'Untrusted device: [name] couldn’t be verified. This could be caused by outdated device firmware.' As frustrations mounted within the community, it became clear that this problem is not a result of user error, but rather a server-side issue stemming from Google. Subsequent investigations suggested that a crucial intermediate certificate authority, created by Google for device authentication, expired on March 9, 2025. This effectively blocked affected Chromecasts from connecting securely to Google's backend systems. Google has publicly acknowledged the issue while advising users not to factory reset their devices, a common troubleshooting step that would only exacerbate the problem. The company confirmed that it is actively working on a solution but has yet to provide a clear timeline for resolution—a point that has led to increased frustration among users who rely on these devices for streaming audio and video content. In terms of potential workarounds, some users have tentatively found success by changing the date settings on their phones to a point before the certificate expiration. However, this workaround is not universally effective and could lead to further complications. As we analyze this situation, it's worth noting that this incident highlights the potential risks associated with reliance on outdated technology, especially as companies phase out older devices in favor of newer models. While Google discontinued its Chromecast line last year, support for these legacy devices appears to be waning, reinforcing concerns that they may not receive timely fixes for such critical issues. Furthermore, it raises important questions about how tech giants handle device security and updates. As we await Google's official resolution, it is essential for affected users to remain patient and refrain from factory resets, as the company suggests. Overall, the incident showcases the fragility of interconnected technology systems and the substantial impact of seemingly minor oversights, such as certificate expirations. This article has been analyzed and reviewed by artificial intelligence to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation.