"Media router disabled access to Google cast device settings" is a significant issue for the users who do not have smart phones. Expectation is that ChromeOS device can handle all necessary tasks related to Chromecast.

#CBC-RS/TC-watchlist

Adding, from the perspective of a T C in Chromebook Central AND Google Cast  GPF's:

If for any reason your Chromecast drops the connection, and asks to be restarted, you CANNOT do this from the Android App, since it will not find the Chromecast.  Happened to me last week, after a short power outage.  Disabling the media router, via that flag, then allows you to use the Cast Extension to get things back in order.

The unsophisticated Chromebook OR Chrome Browser user will not know how to set flags, causing more headaches in the respective GPFs.

All of these settings are no longer accessible:

Changing the WiFi network your device is connected to
Ability to rename your device
Backdrop preferences
Resolution, bitrate, quality, etc.
Rebooting
Factory Data Reset

Many users on the forum have also reported that they are now unable to cast a single screen or pick a screen to cast.

+cc some folks to triage this

(This bug is gaining traction on Reddit/G+)

This issue may be related: I'm unable to cast a Chrome tab to a Hangout video call on Chrome OS Stable 52.0.2743.85. Hangout calls are not in the list of Chromecast devices of the cast dialog, more details here:

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chromebook-central/jB7SuQ7zARU

+skonig to get on his radar.

paolo.amoroso@gmail.com: Make sure you have the Media Router icon in your toolbar.  If you don't, install/enable the previous Cast extension.  When you right-click on the icon, is "Enable Cloud Services" checked?

In M53 you can right-click on the Cast toolbar icon and choose "Manage Cast Devices" to access device setup and management.  You can also access this page directly via chromecast.com/setup.

Great.  All this needs to be clearly put into the Help Center.  :)

Thanks to the devs for this. I've been testing the M53 solution on Chrome OS over the past several days on my Chromecasts 2013 and 2015 and my Chromecast Audio units. The implementation is perfect, and with the MD design both functionality and aesthetics are excellent.

Testing the same solution on Chrome (Windows 10), selecting "Manage cast devices" sometimes results in a blank screen.