The extension cannot find the app
The extension says Not connected, and the popup says No desktop app or server answered:
Nothing answered. Thaumic Cast needs the desktop app or a server running to reach the speakers; start one, then try again.
In the extension’s first-run tour, the same thing reads “Nothing answered. The desktop app or a server is what delivers the audio to the speakers, and one of them must be running.”
The extension cannot reach the speakers by itself. It hands the audio to a companion: the desktop app, or Thaumic Cast Server. Left to itself, the extension looks for one on this computer only, on ports 49400 to 49410. So it finds nothing when:
- the desktop app is not installed, or not running;
- the companion runs on another computer, a server or a NAS, and the extension has not been told its address.
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Start the desktop app.
Not installed yet? Install the desktop app. Installed but closed? Open it as you would any app. It lives in the system tray (the menu bar on a Mac), and closing its window leaves it running there. Turn on Launch at login in its Settings so it is running before you need it.
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Ask again.
In the popup, select Try again. In the tour, select Look again. The top of the popup should now say Connected to the desktop app.
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Companion on another computer? Tell the extension where it is.
In the extension’s Settings, under Companion, choose Enter the address, type the address (it looks like
http://192.168.1.20:49400), then select Connect. In the tour, the same is under Enter the address yourself. See Use an app on another computer.
The connection was lost
Section titled “The connection was lost”If the companion stops answering partway through, the popup first says Asking the companion again… and keeps asking. If it does not come back, the casts stop and the popup says:
The companion stopped answering and has not started again, so the casts were stopped. Check it is running, then select Reconnect.
Check the desktop app is still running (or the server, on its machine), then select Reconnect. Restarting the app, or quitting it, ends every cast; start them again once it is back.
When you entered an address
Section titled “When you entered an address”Selecting Connect in Companion checks the address before keeping it. It is saved only when Thaumic Cast answers.
- “That is not an address Thaumic Cast can use.” Write it as
http://, the computer’s address, a colon and the port:http://192.168.1.20:49400. - “Nothing answered at that address.” Check the companion is running there, the address is right, and its firewall lets in 49400/tcp. See Firewall and ports.
- “Nothing usable came back from that address.” As above: the companion is not running there, or something is in the way.
- “Something answered at that address, and it was not Thaumic Cast.” Another program has that port. Check the address and the port.
- “The server answered, and the answer was an error.” Look at the server’s log, then select Connect again.
- Your browser needs your permission: “Your browser will not let the extension talk to that server until you say it may.” Select Connect and allow it when your browser asks.
- Permission was refused: “Your browser asked whether the extension may talk to that server, and the answer was no.” Select Connect to be asked again, and allow it this time.
- “No server address is saved, so the extension is still looking on this machine.” Enter the address and select Connect.
To go back to looking on this computer, choose Find it automatically.
Verify
Section titled “Verify”The top of the popup says Connected to the desktop app or Connected to the server, and your rooms are listed. No rooms? See No speakers found.