Google has rolled out a fix for first-generation Chromecast devices after thousands of users worldwide reported the 13-year-old streaming dongles had suddenly stopped working.

Owners of the original 2013 Chromecast complained that popular apps including YouTube, HBO Max and Paramount+ either failed to detect the device or could no longer stream content.

Reports flooded Reddit and tech forums over the past week, sparking fears Google had quietly pulled support for the once hugely popular streaming product.

The outage appeared to mainly impact first-generation Chromecast dongles, which stopped receiving official software updates in 2023. Some users speculated an expired security certificate or backend compatibility issue was responsible for the disruption.

Google has now confirmed the problem was caused by a “technical issue” and says a fix has been deployed.

“Earlier this week, a technical issue temporarily disrupted casting for some Gen 1 Google Chromecast users. Our team quickly identified the root cause and resolved the issue,” a Google spokesperson told Ars Technica.

The original Chromecast, launched in 2013 for A$49, became one of Google’s biggest hardware success stories and helped establish Google Cast as a major streaming platform and spawned several follow-up models.

Despite the fix, Google has reiterated that first-generation devices remain officially unsupported, meaning future compatibility issues may not be resolved. Some streaming providers, including Peacock, have already dropped support for older Chromecast hardware.

At the same time, Google is shifting focus to newer streaming products including the Google TV Streamer and Chromecast with Google TV devices, which are now receiving Gemini AI upgrades and enhanced voice features.