Facing annoying issues with your Chromebook? If you need help, try our Chromebook troubleshooting guide to see if we can figure out the root causes together.
Chromebooks are great alternatives to MacBooks and Windows 10 laptops, but they aren’t perfect. Any laptop computer is bound to have issues, and some of the most common problems faced by Chromebook users can feel difficult or even impossible to solve on their own.
From issues with updates to internet connectivity, troubleshooting common Chromebook problems doesn’t have to ruin your day. Read on to discover easy fixes for the most frequent issues Chromebook users face. The Diagnostics app
Chromebooks now have a Diagnostics app specifically for troubleshooting, which can provide valuable information when narrowing down your issue, monitoring a specific problem, or — if it comes down to it — knowing exactly what hardware you have for repairs or replacements. The app allows you to:
Check model and motherboard information.
See information about battery health, cycles, and how much capacity it has lost since its first use.
See data on CPU usage, speed, and temperature.
Check your current memory.
Run tests on all these features to automatically troubleshoot for apparent issues.
Additional features as Google improves the app (it’s still a relatively new tool and more functionality is on its way).
If you’re struggling to understand a problem, it’s a good idea to pop this app open and run the appropriate test, keeping an eye on the data as you use the rest of our guide for more specific issues. Here’s how to use it if your Chromebook has the latest updates.
Step 1: The Diagnostics tool is not currently in the app drawer, so you’ll have to go looking for it. Select the round Launcher button at the bottom-left of the screen, and use the search box at the top to type in “diagnostics.” The app should pop up with an icon that looks like a heart monitor line. Select it.
Step 2: View your current data and check for any suspicious issues. If you’ve narrowed down your problem to an issue like your battery, or you notice an issue like a particularly high CPU temperature, then select the appropriate option.
Step 3: Tests may take a couple of minutes or even 15 to 20 minutes depending on what you are measuring. Battery tests will show basic charging info, but other tests will bring up an itemized list of the functions the test performed. If all went well, you should see a success marker beside each function. If you see a function that doesn’t register as a success, that may be the source of your problem. You can choose to Save session log to record all this current information for later analysis or repair notes.Systemwide issuesYour Chromebook runs very slowly
If your Chromebook runs like a snail, your best bet is to just restart and see if the performance issue clears. To do that, do the following:
Step 1: Select and hold the Power button.
Step 2: The screen dims, and a pop-up appears. Choose the Power off button.
Step 3: Press your Chromebook’s Power button to turn it back on.
If that doesn’t work, check for a system update — something may have gone awry that Google needed to fix on the software side. In most instances, a Chromebook should automatically check for updates and install the latest when it’s connected to the internet. It will then ask you to restart to complete the update.
However, you can manually check by performing the following:
Step 1: Select the System clock located in the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Select the Gear icon located on the pop-up menu. This takes you to Settings.
Step 3: Choose About Chrome OS listed on the left.
Step 4: Choose the Check for updates button. This checks for the latest version and installs any updates.
Step 5: If your Chromebook updated, select the Restart button to complete.Your Chromebook keeps restarting
This is a serious error that indicates a possible problem with the operating system (OS). If this happens, you need to perform a full recovery, one of the three important (but very different) options for wiping your Chromebook:
Hard reset: This resets the hardware settings only, such as the keyboard and camera.
Powerwash: This resets the Chromebook back to its factory settings, returning it to its out-of-the-box state. Afterward, you’ll need to link it to your account, redownload apps, and so on.
Recovery: This reinstalls Chrome OS from an external source, like a flash drive. Recovery is required when Chrome OS is damaged/corrupted and cannot be repaired.
Recover your Chromebook
With this method, you need the Chromebook, a separate computer with access to the Chrome browser, and a portable SD or USB drive with 8GB of space or more for saving data.
Note: Certain Chrome OS devices have a physical recovery button that’s pressed using a paper clip. Check Google’s help page for the full list.
There are two main recovery options: via the internet or via a USB drive. The steps below will show you how to recover your Chromebook via a USB drive. If you’d rather use the internet method, refer to Google’s official guide on the matter.
Step 1: Install and launch the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension in Chrome on a separate computer.
Step 2: Choose the Get started button in the pop-up window.
Step 3: Enter your Chromebook’s model number or select it from a list.
Step 4: Choose Continue.
Step 5: Select the recovery media type and click Continue.
Step 6: Choose the Create now button.
Use your storage device to move settings to the Recovery Utility. Fully reset your Chromebook while keeping as much of your data as safe as possible.
To use your flash drive or card again, you will need to open the Recovery Utility app and do the following:
Step 1: Select the Gear icon located along the top.
Step 2: Select the Erase recovery media option listed on the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Choose the arrows next to Select and select the storage device.
Step 4: Choose Continue.
Step 5: Verify the data you’re erasing is correct and click Erase now.
Google’s app will erase the device so you can use it for other purposes.I see a ‘Chrome OS is missing or damaged’ message
This error pops up after booting the machine. Since it stops you from accessing the OS in any way, resetting the Chromebook becomes difficult. You need to insert a recovery drive instructed. Then, go back to the previous Recover your Chromebook instructions.I tried updating my Chromebook but received an error
To resolve this, start by checking your internet connection. Ideally, you want a strong Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Don’t use your cellular data connection, as updating uses your monthly allotment and often causes these error messages.
You can also restart your Chromebook to help resolve connection issues:
Step 1: Press and hold the Power button.
Step 2: The screen dims, and a pop-up appears. Choose the Power off option.
Step 3: Press your Chromebook’s Power button to turn it back on.I’m trying to download an important update, but it won’t work
If you attempt to download the same update several times, try rebooting your Chromebook:
Step 1: Press and hold the Power button.
Step 2: The screen dims, and a pop-up appears. Click the Power off option.
Step 3: Press your Chromebook’s Power button to turn it back on.
If a restart doesn’t work, you should sign out of your account and Powerwash your Chromebook. This will wipe away your settings and hard drive, so make sure everything is saved to the cloud before you begin.
Step 1: Sign out of your account.
Step 2: Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.
Step 3: Select Restart.
Step 4: Choose the blue Powerwash button in the pop-up window.
Step 5: Choose the blue Continue button to confirm.
Step 6: Follow the steps displayed on your Chromebook.I can’t sign in to my Chromebook without getting errors
There are many different error messages you can get when signing into a Chromebook. Rather than going through each of them, we suggest you use Google’s handy walkthrough for dealing with these errors one at a time.
Generally, we advise that you double-check your password, username, and Google account to make sure all are up to date and functioning as expected. The problem could be one of these three.Your Chromebook screen went blank
Here are three things you can do:
Start with the basics
Did your battery just die? 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 issue.
