Chromebooks are great alternatives to MacBooks and Windows 10 laptops , but they are n’t perfect . Any laptop computer is bound to have issues , and some of the most common problems faced by Chromebook users can palpate hard or even impossible to solve on their own .
From issues with update to internet connectivity , troubleshoot unwashed Chromebook job does n’t have to ruin your mean solar day . Read on to discover leisurely fixes for the most frequent issue Chromebook users face up . If you ’ve got a fancy Pixelbook , consider check out our companion guide tocommon Pixelbook problems .
The Diagnostics app
Chromebooks now have a Diagnostics app specifically for troubleshooting , which can provide worthful data when narrowing down your government issue , monitor a specific job , or — if it comes down to it — knowing precisely what hardware you have for mending or replacements . The app allows you to :
If you ’re struggling to infer a job , it ’s a good idea to drink down this app heart-to-heart and start the appropriate test , celebrate an eye on the data as you use the rest of our guide for more specific issue . Here ’s how to utilise it if your Chromebook has the latest update .
stone’s throw 1 : The Diagnostics tool is not currently in the app draftsman , so you ’ll have to go face for it . Select the roundLauncherbutton at the bottom - left hand of the covert , and use the search box at the top to type in “ diagnostics . ” The app should pop up with an icon that looks like a bosom monitoring equipment melodic phrase . pick out it .
Step 2 : take in your current data and check for any suspicious issuance . If you ’ve narrow down your problem to an issue like your battery , or you acknowledge an issue like a specially highCPU temperature , then select the appropriate option .
stride 3 : run may take a couple of instant or even 15 to 20 minutes depending on what you are mensurate . barrage tests will show basic charging info , but other tests will bring up an itemized listing of the function the test performed . If all run well , you should see a success marker beside each function . If you see a function that does n’t register as a success , that may be the source of your problem . you’re able to choose toSave session logto record all this current information for former psychoanalysis or repair notes .
Systemwide issues
Your Chromebook runs very slowly
If your Chromebook runs like a escargot , your good wager is to just restart and see if the execution result clears . To do that , do the following :
Step 1 : choose and hold thePowerbutton .
Step 2 : The screen dim , and a pop - up appears . pick out thePower offbutton .
whole tone 3 : fight your Chromebook’sPowerbutton to deform it back on .
If that does n’t work , check for a system update — something may have gone wonky that Google necessitate to fix on the software package side . In most illustration , a Chromebook should automatically check for update and deploy the modish when it ’s connected to the net . It will then ask you to re-start to nail the update .
However , you may manually check by perform the following :
Step 1 : Select theSystem clocklocated in the bottom - right street corner .
stone’s throw 2 : Select theGearicon turn up on the bolt down - up menu . This takes you toSettings .
Step 3 : ChooseAbout Chrome OSlisted on the left wing .
Step 4 : Choose theCheck for updatesbutton . This checks for the tardy translation and installs any updates .
Step 5 : If your Chromebook update , choice theRestartbutton to complete .
Your Chromebook keeps restarting
This is a serious error that point a possible job with the operating system ( OS ) . If this happens , you postulate to do a full retrieval , one of the three of import ( but very dissimilar ) choice for pass over your Chromebook :
Recover your Chromebook
With this method acting , you ask the Chromebook , a separate computer with memory access to the Chrome web browser , and a portable SD or USB effort with 8 GB of space or more for carry through information .
take down : Certain Chrome OS devices have a physical convalescence button that ’s pressed using a paper clip . check out Google ’s avail pagefor the full list .
There are two independent recovery pick : via the internet or via a USB drive . The step below will show you how to recoup your Chromebook via a USB driving . If you ’d rather use the internet method , refer to Google ’s official guidebook on the matter .
Step 1 : Install and set up theChromebook Recovery Utilityextension in Chrome on a disjoined calculator .
Step 2 : Choose theGet startedbutton in the pop - up window .
footprint 3 : come in your Chromebook ’s poser number or choose it from a list .
stair 4 : ChooseContinue .
footstep 5 : Select the convalescence medium type and clickContinue .
Step 6 : opt theCreate nowbutton .
Use your storage machine to move place setting to the Recovery Utility . Fullyreset your Chromebookwhile maintain as much of your data as safe as possible .
To use your twinkling campaign or circuit card again , you will require to open up the Recovery Utility app and do the pursuit :
Step 1 : Select theGearicon located along the top .
Step 2 : Select theErase retrieval mediaoption listed on the drop - down menu .
whole step 3 : Choose the arrow next toSelectand select the storehouse twist .
Step 5 : Verify the data you ’re erasing is correct and clickErase now .
Google ’s app will wipe off the machine so you’re able to use it for other purposes .
I see a ‘Chrome OS is missing or damaged’ message
This error pop up after booting the machine . Since it stops you from accessing the OS in any mode , readjust the Chromebook becomes difficult . You need to insert a retrieval private road instructed . Then , go back to the previousRecover your Chromebookinstructions .
I tried updating my Chromebook but received an error
To resolve this , start by checking your internet connection . Ideally , you need a strong Wi - Fi or Ethernet connectedness . Do n’t apply your cellular data connectedness , as updating uses your monthly allotment and often causes these error content .
you may also re-start your Chromebook to help oneself purpose connection issues :
Step 1 : press out and hold thePowerbutton .
gradation 2 : The screen dip , and a pop - up appears . Choose thePower offoption .
I’m trying to download an important update, but it won’t work
If you attempt to download the same update several times , seek reboot your Chromebook :
Step 2 : The blind blur , and a papa - up appears . Click thePower offoption .
If a restart does n’t work , you should sign out of your account and Powerwash your Chromebook . This will pass over off your stage setting and hard drive , so verify everything is keep open to the swarm before you begin .
Step 1 : signal out of your score .
Step 2 : jam and holdCtrl + Alt + Shift + R.
Step 3 : SelectRestart .
Step 4 : Choose the bluePowerwashbutton in the pop - up windowpane .
Step 5 : pick out the blueContinuebutton to confirm .
I can’t sign in to my Chromebook without getting errors
There are many different wrongdoing messages you may get when signalise into a Chromebook . Rather than going through each of them , we advise you useGoogle ’s handy walkthroughfor handle with these errors one at a prison term .
in the main , we advise that you double - mark your password , username , and Google account to make trusted all are up to date and run as expected . The problem could be one of these three .
Fixing the Chromebook black screen
Here are three things you may do :
Start with the basic principle
Did your bombardment just fail ? Did your Chromebook unexpectedly crash , and it needs to be turned on again ? Did you accidentally lower the screen brightness all the way down ? These are all easy fixes that could clear up the take .
Hard reset your Chromebook
If it take care like you ’re have a computer hardware problem , do the pursual :
Step 1 : Turn off the Chromebook by holding down thePowerbutton .
Step 2 : bid and hold theRefreshbutton and then rap thePowerbutton .
Step 3 : Once the Chromebook bug out , unblock theRefreshbutton .
This execute a hardware reset that can set your screen . However , this outgrowth can vary based on your Chromebook , as some models may have a specialResetbutton or tell you to slay the battery .
Get it serve
If none of this resolve your issue and you could narrate your Chromebook is still working by noise and indicator lights , then it ’s clip to check over your warrantee and send off your Chromebook in for service .
Your microphone suddenly stops working
This is a job when your speakers are work OK , but no one can find out you speak — or all they hear is static — during group discussion calls and other situation . Try severely resetting your Chromebook and make indisputable that Chrome OS is fully updated .
You may also have better luck switching your get together toGoogle Meet .
Your camera stops working
If the camera all of a sudden does n’t work or Chrome OS prompts you with an mistake , the topic may be software - related .
resume the Chromebook
practice a unlike app
The app now trying to get at the camera may be experiencing consequence . Open a dissimilar app , to see if you ’re still having problems . If not , uninstall the troublesome app and then reinstall it . If the camera payoff persists , move on to the next solution .
Powerwash your Chromebook
The next option is to put the Chromebook back into its out - of - the - box state .
stone’s throw 1 : ratify out .
Step 2 : crusade and hold both theCtrl + Alt + Shift + universal gas constant button .
If the Powerwash method acting did n’t work out , you ’ll need to perform a full recovery . Go back to theRecover your Chromebookinstructions provide in the first place .
Your keyboard or trackpad stops working
If the keyboard or trackpad short does n’t ferment , try these solutions .
enter as a guest
The options associated with your account may be do issues . sign out or restart the Chromebook and then click theBrowse as Guestoption on the login CRT screen . If the keyboard or touchpad troubles are gone , then delete your report and add it back to the Chromebook .
Touchpad - specific mess
Google provide a few mesmerism that may fix issues regarding the touchpad :
If the late instructions did n’t put to work , prove resetting the hardware preferences .
The next option is to turn back the Chromebook to its out - of - the - corner state .
footfall 2 : Press and hold both theCtrl + Alt + Shift + Rbuttons .
Your Chromebook won’t turn on or charge
This may be a electric battery issue , but you also ca n’t rule out the Chromebook ’s connection to a power outlet .
Give it time to charge
If the Chromebook was completely all in , you just stop up it in , and now it wo n’t turn on , do n’t panic . It may remain unavailable for a while . Give it a proficient 30 arcminute before attempting to reboot the machine again .
bill on a different lap
If it ’s not charge while connected to a power retail store , hear another nearby electrical outlet and see if that correct the issuance . If not , take it to another elbow room far , far off to hear a unlike outlet . If it on the spur of the moment starts charging , there may be too much electric noise on a specific circuit . Try unplugging appliances on the troublesome circuit to see if they were causing issues with the Chromebook ’s battery charger .
delay the charger
Is it damaged ? Can you see the internal wires ? Are the USB connector or the battery charger prongs bended ? If so , a Modern great power adapter is in ordination .
utilize this method before moving on to the next option , which requires removing the battery .
Remove the battery
This method is only uncommitted for specific modelslisted here .
Step 1 : disconnect the power adapter .
Step 2 : Remove the battery .
Step 3 : weight-lift thePowerbutton for 30 second . This supposedly discharges anything still lurking on the motherboard .
Step 4 : supersede the battery , plug in the king arranger , and wait 30 minutes .
Browser issues
My open browser tabs keep reloading and making everything slow
Chrome occasionally runs into a problem where it go on reloading web internet browser pill , slowing down everything else . The sluggish execution stems from scurvy system retentivity amounts typically installed in Chromebooks , along with Chrome ’s heavy retention load . This leaves piffling else for other programs and apps . Try shutting down any internet browser lozenge that you do n’t need to see if performance increases .
habituate the Task Manager
If you ’re still having return , you’re able to disable store - hog tabs and other apps and programs using this tool :
Step 1 : Press theSearch + Escbuttons ( orShift+Esc ) . This opensTask manager .
footprint 2 : Select any app or program on the list — specially those you do n’t know — that ’s consuming loads of memory . clack theEnd processbutton .
Do not exclude down any entries with the “ system ” label , however , as they ’re part of the O .
My Chromebook frequently crashes for no reason
When browsing the web and your Chromebook crashes for no intellect , your good solution is to turn off your Chromebook . Let it remain off for a second ( this clears the memory ) and then restart .
If that fail , a vane page you frequent could be the problem . extension or apps can also cause crashes , requiring their removal . Here ’s how to remove a Chromebook app :
Step 1 : Select theLauncherbutton locate in the bottom - bequeath corner .
Step 2 : Choose theUp arrowicon to expand your app tray .
Step 3 : Right - select the app you call up is baffling and selectUninstall(orRemove from Chrome ) on the pop - up menu . Then chooseUninstall .
Here ’s how to transfer an extension :
Step 1 : start the Chrome web browser .
Step 2 : prefer the three - dotCustomize and controlicon situate in the top - right corner .
Step 3 : choose theMore toolsoption on the drop - down list .
pace 4 : SelectExtensionson the roll - out carte .
footmark 5 : select theRemovebutton on each university extension carte that you need to delete . If you merely desire to temporarily incapacitate the extension phone , select theToggleinstead . Blue is “ on ” and hoary is “ off . ”
Instead of loading web pages, I get weird error messages
If Chrome can not the right way adulterate a WWW page , it face an odd , “ Aw , snap ! ” error . If you continuously encounter this computer error , something is wrong with your group O or options . One of the easiest and most good solutions is to fill up unnecessary browser app tabs and window .
If closing a few chit at last allow you to give a new one , then organisation memory is your issue . Chromebooks typically have blue memory mental ability due to their vane - based tooth root . Moreover , Chrome tabs can consume that finite space . Put the two together , and you ’re forced to baffle tab use .
Failing extension can also be a problem . To solve that , perform these actions to incapacitate or murder them :
footstep 2 : take the three - dotCustomize and Controlicon located in the top - right corner .
Step 5 : Choose theRemovebutton on each extension card that you require to cancel . If you but need to temporarily turn off the lengthiness , pick out theToggleinstead . Blue is “ on ” and gray is “ off . ”
If all else fails , check your internet connexion , realise your internet browser cache , or try opening a web page in an incognito windowpane .
Chrome keeps telling me, ‘This web page is not available’
sham you have the vane address right , this error is often have by cookie or proxy issues . On the cookie front , it ’s in all probability time to delete them all . Be sure to write your online passwords before deleting datum :
stride 1 : spread out Chrome and choose the three - dotCustomize and controlbutton located in the top - right quoin .
Step 2 : Highlight theMore toolsoption on the drop - down list .
Step 3 : SelectClear browsing dataon the following roll - out menu . instead , press theCtrl + Shift + Backspacebuttons to reach this setting .
measure 4 : A bulge out - up windowpane appear on your concealment . The Basic chit put up three options , while Advanced extends the list to five . Select the data you want to blue-pencil and choose theClear databutton .
The problem could also be your proxy setting ( sometimes indicated by a substance about proxy government issue ) . you’re able to change proxy setting , but only if you know what you ’re doing :
Step 1 : Choose theSystem clocklocated in the bottom - right corner .
Step 2 : Choose theGearicon located on the come out - up menu . This pack you toSettings .
Step 3 : UnderNetwork , pick out your current connection .
whole tone 4 : take it again on the follow pageboy .
Step 5 : Click to enlarge theProxysetting .
footstep 6 : Toggle on ( blue ) theAllow procurator for shared networkssetting .
If you are using a guest profile on a Chromebook , this will in all probability solve your problem . However , you must input the correct placeholder preferences as prompt after agree the boxful .
I can’t use my Word docs on my Chromebook
If you latterly flip to a Chromebook and you are having trouble access your older papers , there are several workarounds . Google ’s first suggestion is , naturally , to employ Google Docs . This can solve your problem , and Google Docs can view many Word file , but it is n’t always hardheaded due to tools , formatting , compatibility , and so on .
The best choice — if your Chromebook allows it — is to download the Microsoft Word Android app from Google Play . This app functions just as it does on Android , so you should feel right on at home plate .
Zoom doesn’t work on my Chromebook
Here are a few suggestion if you ca n’t get Zoom to work out :
Are you still using the Chrome OS translation ?
Zoom announce last twelvemonth that it no longer supports its Chrome OS app and was replacing it with a progressive vane app ( PWA ) version alternatively . You ’ll postulate to download this PWAapp from the Google Play Store .
Check Family Link setting
Sometimes Google ’s Family Link parental restraint options can interfere with Zoom meetings , which may cause job with student essay to use Zoom for class . The comfortable shortsighted - term answer is to switch to a parent account for the Zoom picture .
However , for repeat Zoom sessions , there is something else you could try : Download the Zoom app , and have the student manually recruit the Zoom Room number to join a session instead of clicking on the invite data link . Manually enter the Room number tends to go around Family Link ’s issues with the outgrowth .
Note that some features may still be throttle on Zoom because of some integral compatibility issues with Chrome OS . You may not be able to record video directly in Zoom , for example .
Connection issues
I can’t connect to a strong Wi-Fi network
Check theSystem clockto check that that the Wi - Fi icon is full . If it appear empty ( hollow ) , your Wi - Fi is probably switched off . Here ’s the fix :
Step 2 : Choose theWi - Fiicon on the pop - up carte .
TheWi - Fitoggle should turn blue as your Chromebook connects to the local web . You ’ll also see a list of uncommitted networks .
one-time wireless electronic connection may not operate with your Chromebook . This is unusual , but if your router is several class old , you may desire to test a dissimilar electronic internet to see if you get a better connection . If it does , it ’s time for a router upgrade .
When in doubtfulness , you could also reboot your Chromebook . Here ’s how :
Step 3 : urge your Chromebook’sPowerbutton to restart .
check out your wireless connection to see if the reboot worked .
I can’t connect to a second screen
If you ’re have got number with a secondary blind , here ’s how to check the setting :
Step 2 : Choose theGearicon located on the bulge - up card . This opensSettings .
footfall 3 : SelectDevicelisted on the left .
Step 4 : ChooseDisplayslisted on the right hand .
Step 5 : Select the name of your external showing .
Here , you ’ll see several pick to rotate your image , center the paradigm , turn back the TV alliance , and send the range to multiple screens . See if any of these can help solve your job .
If you ’re using a USB - base bobtail to get in touch an outside display , disconnect the dock , wait a few moments , and then reconnect . If you ’re still having issues , check to see if Chrome OS call for an update .
I can’t hear anything on my Chromebook
Step one is to hold back for any obvious but potentially unnoticed issues , like earpiece you need to unplug before playing audio through the talker . If you are using an audio gimmick , for example , external speakers , verify they ’re work correctly .
If the job seems to be on the Chromebook , do the pursual :
Step 2 : Adjust theVolume sliderdisplayed on the pop - up menu . Make certain the intensity is turned up high enough to hear .
you’re able to also attempt to interchange the legal input or turnout :
Step 2 : prefer theRightarrowicon displayed next to theVolume slideron the pop - up computer menu .
Step 3 : On the undermentioned pop - up menu , make certain you have the correct audio equipment set as your output .
If that does not work , you ’ll take to reset your Chromebook using the steps outline above .
Bluetooth isn’t connecting
Keep in mind that not every Chromebook includes Bluetooth , so chink the intersection specification . If your twist has Bluetooth uncommitted , the image seem on the pop - up menu when you take theSystem clock . A dreary icon intend the Bluetooth component is enabled , while a hoar image shows it ’s disabled . Click theGray Bluetoothicon if it ’s disabled .
If you ’re having Bluetooth connexion issue , you’re able to remedy this by turning the feature off and on . This will reset the connecter . Just check that all Bluetooth code , if used , are still accurate , and the gimmick are properly pair . Also , never forget your forcible space . Objects block the way and distance can cause connectivity issues . Sometimes a immediate refresh ( in close proximity ) can congeal thing correct without too much defeat .
I can’t get my printer to work with my Chromebook
If you ’ve connected your printer to your Chromebook and it still does n’t work , here are some thing you could try out to fix it , according to Google ’s avail guide on on the topic :
