Your Chromebook’s USB ports may be vulnerable to number of these items.
Chromebooks are well-known as great laptops for those who want a simple computer at a low price. Running ChromeOS, a lightweight operating system built around running cloud-based web apps, Chromebooks are able to provide solid performance even when equipped with low-end internals. You can even convert old Windows laptops to Chromebooks long after they cease to be supported by Microsoft’s operating system. While they’re certainly not fit for hardcore users like avid gamers or video editors, their ability to provide basic functionality in a laptop form factor complete with multiple USB ports makes them an excellent choice for children, students, and those with web-based workflows.
Much like any other computer, Chromebooks have limitations, and their USB ports are no exception. There are a number of things you should never plug into your Chromebook’s USB ports unless you want to risk damaging or even ruining your notebook. But even things that don’t break a Chromebook might not be worth connecting to it. From dangerous materials and drives to incompatible hardware, we’ve rounded up 5 items you should know not to connect to a ChromeOS laptop.Paper clips, pushpins, and other metal objects
This probably goes without saying, but after a viral TikTok trend earlier this year, it’s worth reiterating: you should never stick objects not meant for a USB port into your Chromebook’s USB port, especially things that are made of metal. The so-called « Chromebook challenge » inexplicably involved schoolchildren sticking pencil lead into their Chromebooks’ USB ports, along with paper clips, pins, and other objects. Schools reported that many laptops were destroyed by this behavior, and destruction appears to have been the goal of the online trend.
USB ports on laptops not only connect devices, they supply power to them from the motherboard. Sticking a metal object into the port can cause a short circuit, zapping the motherboard in the process. In many cases, the USB port will be destroyed, and it is not uncommon for the entire motherboard to fry. This can also cause the Chromebook to catch fire and produce smoke — as seen in some of the viral videos. It can be extremely toxic to breathe in and can lead to serious injuries and other health issues.
You may not be a mischievous child influenced by TikTok to destroy property, but you might be someone with debris in your Chromebook’s USB port who thinks a paper clip or pencil is a good way to clear it out. If you need to clean out your computer’s USB ports the right way, do your laptop a favor and try cleaning it out with a bristle brush and compressed air. If that fails, use something made of plastic or wood, not metal.Unknown flash drives or other USB storage drives
As a general rule, you should never plug a strange USB into your Chromebook or any other computer (including your smartphone).
