How Do I Reset My Chromebook
A factory reset erases all user data on your Chromebook’s hard drive, including all the files in the Downloads folder. It also erases most non-user-related device information, but preserves a few diagnostic and operational pieces of data. Before you reset, make sure to back up your files on Google Drive or an external hard drive. The factory reset won’t delete any of your files on Google Drive or external storage device. If you’re using your Chromebook at work or school, you can’t reset it. Ask your administrator to wipe the data on your Chromebook and re-enroll the device on your work or school network.
Step 1: Make sure you should reset
You might want to reset your Chromebook if:
- You get the message “Reset this Chrome device”
- You’re having problems with your user profile or settings
- You’ve tried restarting your Chromebook and it’s still not working normally
- You want to change the owner of the Chromebook
Factory reset your Chromebook
Before you factory reset your Chromebook, sign out of it. Then, press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r. Select Restart. In the box that appears, select Powerwash and Continue. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account. Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account. Once you’ve reset your Chromebook, follow the onscreen instructions to set it up and check if the problem is fixed.
Get more help
If you’ve reset your Chromebook, but it’s still having problems, try these steps:
Hard reset your Chromebook
To fix some Chromebook problems, you might need to reset your Chromebook hardware, also called a hard reset. Try a hard reset only after other ways to fix the problem have failed. It will restart your Chromebook hardware (like your keyboard and touchpad) and might delete some files in your Downloads folder.
For most Chromebooks, follow the steps below:
- Turn off your Chromebook.
- Press and hold Refresh and tap Power.
- When your Chromebook starts up, release Refresh.
Tips: For some Chromebooks, you reset the hardware by pressing a special reset button, unplugging the power cable, or removing and re-inserting the battery. If you see your device in this list, follow the steps to reset its hardware.
Get more help
If the steps above don’t fix the problem, you can factory reset your Chromebook.
FAQs
1. Can I reset my Chromebook if I’m using it for work or school?
No, if you’re using your Chromebook at work or school, you can’t reset it. Ask your administrator to wipe the data on your Chromebook and re-enroll the device on your work or school network.
2. Will factory reset delete my files on Google Drive?
No, the factory reset won’t delete any of your files on Google Drive or external storage device. However, it’s always a good practice to back up your important files before performing a reset.
3. How do I know if I need to reset my Chromebook?
You might want to reset your Chromebook if you see the message “Reset this Chrome device,” if you’re having problems with your user profile or settings, if you’ve tried restarting your Chromebook and it’s still not working normally, or if you want to change the owner of the Chromebook.
4. What should I do if my Chromebook is still having problems after a reset?
If your Chromebook is still having problems after a reset, you can try a hard reset to restart your Chromebook hardware. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to seek further technical assistance.
5. Will I lose any non-user-related device information after a factory reset?
Yes, a factory reset erases most non-user-related device information, but preserves a few diagnostic and operational pieces of data. It’s important to back up any important data before performing a reset.
6. What account will be the owner account after I reset my Chromebook?
The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account. Make sure to sign in with the correct Google Account.