Performing a hard reset on a Chromebook is useful if a simple restart doesn’t fix the issues on your laptop. Once you power up the Chromebook, the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message will still be there. Press and hold the Refresh key and then press Power button. Powerwash is Chrome OS’s name for the hard reset, and we’ll use that in this article. Launch it and use it to create recovery media with a USB drive or SD card. The Powerwash feature wipes all your personal data off your Chromebook. Powerwash is your first option for resetting a Chromebook. If your Chromebook isn’t booting at all, you may need to perform a hard reset. 1. Hold down the power button until the Chromebook completely powers off. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, comics, trivia, reviews, and more. Connect to the internet and run Ubuntu Terminal, then execute the following command. Next, you need to create recovery media, as previously described. Managed Chromebooks: Understand the process. Select Restart. If you’re wondering about the Refresh key, it’s in place of the standard F3 key. But now you can insert the SD card or USB stick and reinstall the OS. The Developer Mode is a neat addition that allows you to modify the computer to your preferences. There is no reason to worry about the security, Chromebook encrypts all the data, and there’s no way someone else could retrieve it after the hard reset. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue. 4. In this guide you’ll be learning how to reset/factory reset a Chromebook or removing the Password and User.This is Samsung 300 series but this procedure hard reset/resetting a Chromebook should work on any Chromebook model.. 1st Step: Turn on your Chromebook cd ~; curl -L -O http://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh; sudo bash firmware-util.sh. You can use a macOS, Linux, Windows, or another Chrome OS machine. Powerwash is Chrome OS’s name for the hard reset, and we’ll use that in this article. If you are not logged out, select the picture in the lower-right corner, then select the “Sign out“. Chromebooks locally sync some data, so you’ll want to wipe that personal data when selling or passing on your Chromebook. The Samsung Chromebook XE303C12-A01US laptop features an 11.6" screen and a 16 GB SSD hard drive. Do you prefer Chrome OS, Windows, or Linux? How to hard reset a Chromebook and Remove User And Password, Samsung, Asus, Acer. This small notebook computer allows for easy access to the Internet and can run various web apps. Let’s roll. Log in to the Chromebook and launch Chrome settings. User data stored on your Chromebook is encrypted, so people won’t be able to recover deleted files from your Chromebook afterward. Your data and apps will be synced when you sign back in with the same Google account. (The Refresh key is located where F3 would be on a typical PC keyboard.) To skip this warning, you can press Ctrl+D, but now you need to hit Space and enable OS verification. Before you reset, make sure to back up your files on Google Drive or an external hard drive. You’ll need to get Chromebook Recovery Utility – it’s available on Chrome Web Store. Google calls this process "Powerwashing". Remember the old PC reset buttons? Factory reset the Chromebook. But if you wish to tamper with the OS files again, you need to enable the Developer Mode. On older Chromebooks, you may need to pull the battery and reinsert it or use a special reset button. Power off the laptop, press Esc and Refresh keys, and hold the Power button. Remove Password and UsernameHard Reset Your Chromebook!PRESS AND HOLDCTRL,SHIFT,ALT AND RFollow powerwash menu. How To Powerwash Your Chromebook. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. This does not effect our editorial in any way. When you disable developer mode, your Chromebook will wipe all user data and reset all system files to their default state. Even if the warning doesn’t pop up, you might still want to reinstall Chrome OS and perform a hard reset. You’ll end up with a like-new Chromebook and whatever changes you made to the operating system will be gone. Run the Chromebook Recovery Utility and follow the on-screen wizard. When the new installation is complete, you can proceed and Powerwash (hard reset) your laptop. Factory Reset A Chromebook Using Login Screen. To initiate the hard reset on newer models, press the Refresh and Power buttons. You can also reinstall Chrome OS — particularly useful if you’ve messed around in developer mode. The factory reset won't delete any of your files on Google Drive or external storage device. When you see the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message, insert the recovery media and your Chromebook will begin reinstalling Chrome OS. Find the PowerWash section and click Restart. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. That should 100% remove the admin limits. Restore Your Firmware Boot Flags. Under normal circumstances, it takes several minutes. Use Powerwash when you’re done with your Chromebook and you want to sell it or give it to someone else. He's written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | TOS | All Rights Reserved, Join our newsletter and get all the latest. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account. If you can't control the mouse cursor, press and hold the Power key until the … For this, you’ll need to access the Recovery Mode. The important thing is to run it through a Linux environment, and the easiest way to do it is via Ubuntu ISO and Rufus utility. Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. Performing a factory reset completely wipes the hard drive. A factory reset erases all the information on your Chromebook's hard drive, including all the files in the Downloads folder. Of course, you’d need to “Create a bootable disk using” Ubuntu, and it’s okay to keep the “ISO image mode” as default. But first, some legal matters. Samsung Chromebook Series 3. To run Powerwash, sign into your Chromebook and open Chrome’s settings screen. The information includes your credentials, Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and more. Force-Boot Into Recovery Mode. Once you got Chrome OS back, Powercycle the laptop. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. The factory reset won't delete any of your files on Google Drive or external hard drive. (Fig.4 Powerwash button on the Settings Page) In the pop-up box that opens, select Restart. Restart the Chromebook by holding the power button down until the device turns off, then turn it back on again. Or maybe you had a user sign in to their account without enrolling their laptop properly. This forces the Chromebook to turn off and then back on. If you’re having problems with your Chromebook, you may need to do a factory reset to return it to its original state. Anyway, Chromebook hard reset is a walk in the park. The computer should pick up the inserted USB and start the recovery process. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility app from the Chrome Web Store. How to Perform a Hard Reset If You Installed Windows. MORE: Chromebook vs. Tablet: Which Should You Buy? If you’d like to reinstall Chrome OS and you don’t see the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message on your screen, you can force your Chromebook to boot into recovery mode. How to Factory Reset a Chromebook (Even if It Won’t Boot), User data stored on your Chromebook is encrypted, location of the button on different Chromebook models, where the button is on different Chromebooks, How to Pause Family Bell Announcements From Google Assistant, How to Remove the Background From a Picture in Excel, How to Log in With a Password on Windows 10 (After Setting up a PIN), The 10 Best Rom-Coms to Stream This Valentine’s Day, © 2021 LifeSavvy Media. When you power on the Chromebook, you’ll see the first-time setup screen where you have to set everything up by connecting to Wi-Fi and signing into a Google account. So, without much further ado, let’s jump right in. The reset will wipe all files, settings, and apps on your hard drive. 2. Your email address will not be published. When the actions are complete, plug that USB into your Chromebook and boot into the Recovery Mode. Why would anyone want to do this? Performing a factory reset will wipe all local data stored on your Chromebook — for example, files stored in the Downloads folder. The Simplest Way to Factory Reset Chromebook 1. Older Chromebooks have a hidden pinhole Refresh button. You’ll need to press and hold the button and then turn on the Chromebook while keeping the button pressed. When the computer starts up, release the Refresh key. You’ve probably used a script to replace Chromebook BIOS. Click the Powerwash button and click Restart. Select an option below for … Alternatively, you can hold down the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R keys together from the sign-in screen and click Reset. What operating system are you using on Chromebook? To help resolve some Chromebook issues, you might need to reset your Chromebook hardware, also called a hard reset. A factory reset, also known as hard reset, is the restoration of a device to its original manufacturer settings. Insert the USB stick with Ubuntu into your Chromebook, and it should automatically boot when you restart the laptop. Give us your two cents in the comments below. Before you reset a Chromebook, make sure you back up anything you don’t want to lose. Click the Taskbar on the bottom right, and then click Settings. You may see a “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message if your Chromebook can’t boot. It is easy-to-use and has plenty of benefits when compared to traditional laptops. After you download and install the app, run it, and choose to make a recovery media on an SD card or USB drive. The Esc + Refresh method is for newer Chromebooks. Even if the warning doesn’t pop up, you might still want to reinstall Chrome OS and perform a hard reset. The Best Games for the Chromebook [January 2021], The Best Chromebooks Under $200 [November 2020], How to Factory Reset Your Chromebook [November 2020], The Best Chromebooks Under $400 [November 2020], The Best Chromebook for Students [November 2020], How To Record a FaceTime Call [October 2020], How to Scan & Fix Hard Drives with CHKDSK in Windows 10, How to Install YouTube Kids on Your Amazon Fire Tablet, How To Delete Your Gmail Address Permanently [January 2021], How To Speed Up Windows 10 – The Ultimate Guide, How to Install the Google Play Store on an Amazon Fire Tablet. Discussion how do i reset my chromebook 15 Author Date within 1 day 3 days 1 week 2 weeks 1 month 2 months 6 months 1 year of Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04 Thereon, it’s only a matter of following the on-screen instructions, and the Chromebook will be as good as new in no time. You’ll need to create recovery media from another Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, or Chrome OS computer so you can reinstall Chrome OS. Perform a search here for Powerwash or click Show advanced settings and scroll down to the bottom of the settings page. You can use the same USB. What to Do If Your Chromebook Doesn’t Want to Boot? For the CR-48, or the Acer C700 remove, and reinsert the battery; For all other Chromebook models Resetting a Chromebook Things to Know. Before taking the next steps, make sure you back up any data via Google Drive or using an external hard drive. When you restart the Chromebook, there is an “OS verification is OFF” message. However, you’ll be using a different computer for this. NOTE: If you’ve tampered heavily with your Chromebook—like if you’ve installed Windows on it—you’ll need to do a bit of extra work to reset it, so check out this guide instead. And there are even models that require you to pull the battery out, then reinsert. Use the same scrip to restore it. Required fields are marked *. Next, press Esc + Refresh on the keyboard and hold down the Power button. Most data on your Chromebook syncs online, so you can get it back by signing in with your Google account. Hard reset your Chromebook Performing a hard reset will lose any unsaved work, so ideally if possible perform a manual log out before do so, or at least close all the Chrome tabs you can. For a Chromebox, or Chromebase, simply remove and reinsert the power cable; For the Samsung Series 5, and Samsung Series 5 550, insert a pin into the tiny hole on the bottom of the device to press the reset button. Instead of pressing Ctrl+D to skip this warning, press the Space button to re-enable OS verification and disable developer mode. RELATED: How to Power Cycle Your Gadgets To Fix Freezes and Other Problems. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to hard-reset (Powerwash) the laptop, but it takes a bit more effort on your part. Restart your Chromebook and you’ll see the standard “OS verification is off” message. This built-in tool completely resets the machine to the version of Chrome OS that was … It trick is also useful if your Chromebook “freezes” or stops responding. Click Advanced at the bottom. Not being able to boot into your device can be stressful. Usually, it’s in the lower right corner on the backplate. Logging out and powering down your Chromebook isn’t technically a reset. Your Chromebook will restart, erase all its user data, and present you with the first-time setup screen. The same applies to “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” messages. That said, the computer will sometimes prompt you to do so with a pop-up message. Your Chromebook will boot straight to recovery mode. Older Chromebooks and Chromeboxes actually have physical recovery buttons. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times---and that's just here at How-To Geek. If you’ve enabled developer mode and modified your Chromebook’s software — maybe you’ve installed Linux alongside Chrome OS — you can disable developer mode to erase all your customizations. For older versions, you might need to take out the power cable, and then reconnect it. For more information, refer to the Google Knowledge base article Reset your Chromebook hardware. On a Chromebox, you’ll need to disconnect and reconnect the power cable. (At the time of writing, the Chromebook Recovery Utility we mention here wasn’t officially released. Factory reset your Chromebook . Then login again. Anyway, Chromebook hard reset is a walk in the park. Your email address will not be published. Click on the search bar, type Powerwash, and click on the corresponding button to initiate the process. This action deletes all the data you entered when signing in for the first time. We included it because Chrome OS’s developers have indicated it will soon be officially released and will replace the old recovery tools.). However, if you’re like me you’re a lid-closer. This action deletes all the data you entered when signing in for the first time. Some flip style Chromebooks have the power button located on the side of the Chromebook. The USB drive or SD card must be 4 GB or larger. Then the device will erase, reset. Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. For some, Chromebook can bring in some issues like taking extreme loading time, common hangings, and more. Google has a gallery of images showing where the button is on different Chromebooks. First, turn off your Chromebook. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. It works just like logging into your Google account on a new Chromebook. The new and improved way to remove admin limits. As the script mentioned earlier, you’ll need to reset the firmware … You can do this by pressing Refresh + Power on modern Chromebooks. You can quickly get back up to speed after reinstalling Chrome OS. Replace the internal battery yourself. ADMIN-FREE STUDIOS. Scroll down and tap Powerwash. To “Restore Stock Firmware (full),” enter “9” and hit Enter to complete the action. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami's NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. For this, you’ll need to access the Recovery Mode. To clear all your data and customizations, you need to disable the Developer Mode, and here’s how to do it. And it’s not uncommon for users to install Linux along with Chrome OS via Developer Mode. If you’re wondering about the Refresh key, it’s in place of the standard F3 key. If you're comfortable navigating the inner workings of laptops, … 5. Chromebook hard reset may seem like a lot of work, but it is not. Ready to fix it up? Upon completion, the Chromebook will automatically restart, remove all information, and greet you with a new set-up screen. Power off the laptop, press Esc and Refresh keys, and hold the Power button. To perform a hardware reset, perform the following steps: Connect the AC adapter. If not, just Powerwash the computer. Click on the notification center at the bottom … Go here to find how to remove the admin limits: My chromebook has an admin on it, how do I remove it? Sign out of your Chromebook. Join over 260,000 subscribers! A factory reset will erase all the information on your hard drive. Perform a hard reboot. Scroll down to the Reset settings section, and then click Powerwash > Restart. This factory reset is known as a powerwash on Chrome OS. Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r. 3. Go to the notification section (where you’ll typically find the current power level, Wi-Fi, and time information). All Rights Reserved. So, without much further ado, let’s jump right in. Watch the chromebook tutorial of how to turn on dev mode. RELATED: Seven Useful Chromebook Tricks You Should Know About. Perhaps you’ve purchased a used laptop that’s still enrolled in a managed domain because it was never unenrolled properly. Perform a Hard Reset. On the Chromebook keyboard press the Power button and the Reload button at the same time. Hard Reset Chromebook is focused towards those seeking out a cost-effective PC laptop. Start by creating the recovery media from a different computer. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. RELATED: How to Install Ubuntu Linux on Your Chromebook with Crouton. Learn Acer Chromebook Tab 10. There are three methods for Powerwashing your Chrome tablet. This action also disables the Developer Mode. If the Chromebook is managed by an enterprise … If you want to mess around with the low-level operating system files again, you’ll have to re-enable developer mode. You may also want to wipe all of your data before selling your old machine. If you’d like to reinstall Chrome OS and you don’t see the “Chrome … Boot your Chromebook. This action deletes all the settings, applications and personal data from your device and make it 100% clean. So before resetting… Another way to factory reset a Chromebook is through the login screen, lets see how we can do this: Resetting a Chromebook other than the Chrome settings is doing it with the login screen, to do so: When on the login screen of your Chromebook … You can reset your Acer Chrome tablet to remove your personal information and reset all settings to factory defaults. Google provides a gallery of images showing the location of the button on different Chromebook models. In the box that appears, select Powerwash Continue. 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