Chromebook How To: Reset Your Chrome OS Device

Sometimes, regardless of the OS, computing devices need to be reset. The need to reset can span any range of reasons. Often times you may just want a fresh start. Other times you may find a hardware issue that requires a little nudge to overcome.

In this post we will cover the different types of “resets” available to your Chrome OS device and how to implement them. With each method we will also address the effect it will have on your device, as they are varied.

Power Down

Logging out and powering down your Chromebook isn’t technically a reset. However, if you’re like me you’re a lid-closer. I rarely actually power my device off unless doing a real reset or powerwash, which we will cover shortly.

Often times, if you are experiencing glitches, sync issues with Google products, files not loading properly, etc, a simple power down of your Chromebook can resolve the issue.

Giving your device the opportunity to start fresh and sync your personal settings can often alleviate what may look like a big problem.

So, if you are experiencing a problem with your Chrome device and you happen to be a lid-closer like me, I highly recommend taking this action to resolve the issue before going any deeper.

Hardware Reset

Occasionally hardware goes topsy-turvy. It’s just the nature of the beast. Whether it be your trackpad acting squirrely, keyboard not functioning properly or maybe your battery isn’t registering charge status correctly, a hardware reset can fix many of these issues. If not, it can eliminate possibilities to make diagnosing a hardware issue easier.

If you’re using an Acer Chromebox, ASUS Chromebox, LG Chromebase or Samsung Chromebox a hardware reset is as simple as it gets.

Turn off your Chromebox or Chromebase.
Remove the power cable, then plug it back in.

For Acer AC700 and the iconic CR-48

Turn off your Chromebook.
Remove the battery, then put it back in.
Turn on your Chromebook.

Asus Chromebit

Turn off your Chromebit.
Remove the power adapter, then wait several seconds.
Reconnect the power adapter.
Turn on your Chromebit.

Lenovo Thinkpad X131e

Turn off your Chromebook.
Remove the power adapter.
Remove the battery, then put it back in.
Reconnect the power adapter.
Turn on your Chromebook.

Samsung Series 5 Chromebook

Turn off your Chromebook.
Remove the power adapter.
Using a paperclip or similar object, press into the hole shown in the picture below.
Hold the paperclip in place while reconnecting the power adapter.
Turn on your Chromebook.

Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook

Turn off your Chromebook.
Remove the power adapter.
Using a paperclip or similar object, press into the hole shown in the picture below.
Hold the paperclip in place while reconnecting the power adapter.
Turn on your Chromebook.

For all other Chromebooks

Turn off your Chromebook.
On the keyboard, press Refresh + Power .

There you go. These steps will not affect your account or local files on your device.

Credit: Casey @ Google Support

Powerwash

Now we get to the nitty-gritty. The following procedures will erase local data from your device as well as delete user accounts.

Back up any and all data you do not wish to lose!

Powerwashing is often referred to as a factory reset. I have recently learned this is not entirely accurate.

If you have ever put your device in developer mode and enabled root access, a powerwash will not reset those changes.

For all intents and purposes, powerwashing resets Chrome OS to its original settings. Clean install, no local data and no user accounts. Many changes made at the developer level remain unchanged.

For most users who don’t tinker with developer mode and commands, a powerwash will clean and reset your device. If you have gone deeper with your Chromebook we will cover a true factory reset in the next topic.

There are two methods to powerwashing your device. They both achieve the same result and are both equally simple.

Method 1

Under your settings menu navigate to the following:

Settings>advanced settings>powerwash

You will be met with a confirmation notification. Click reset/powerwash and in just a few short minutes your device will be like new.

Method 2

The shortcut key method.

Sign out of your Chromebook.
Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.
Click Restart to restart your Chromebook.
In the box that appears, click Reset and sign in with your Google Account.
Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account.
Follow the instructions in the box.

Now your device is ready for a new user or if you are resetting to repair a possible error you can now login with your account and check to see if the issue is resolved.

Factory Reset/Recovery

This method will completely reset your Chrome OS device to factory including any changes made by accessing developer mode. This method would be used if you are receiving a critical error upon startup (Chrome OS is missing or damaged) or you have tinkered with dev mode and want the device back to factory before passing it on to another user.

What you’ll need.

The Chromebook with the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” error
A different computer with the Google Chrome browser installed (Windows, Mac, or another Chromebook)
An SD card or USB drive that you don’t mind erasing
The Chromebook recovery app

What to do.

To recover your Chromebook:

On the working computer (not the Chromebook with the error), install the recovery app.
Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to create the recovery media.
Open the Chromebook you want to recover.
If you have anything connected to this Chromebook (such as a mouse, SD card, or external hard drive), remove it.
Enter recovery mode:
- If you have a Chromebook with a keyboard, press and hold Esc + Refresh , then press Power . Let go of Power. When a message shows on the screen, let go of the other keys.
- If you have a Chromebox or Chromebit, turn it off, press its recovery button, then press the Power button to turn it back on. To find the location of the recovery button, see the user manual.
You’ll see one of these messages:
- “Chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card.”
- “Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card.”
Insert the recovery media you’ve created (SD card or USB drive).
Follow the on-screen instructions.