[Chromebook] Reset (Powerwash) your Chromebook to factory settings

Table of Contents: 

 

Introduction

You can make your Chromebook run like new again by doing a factory reset. If you will no longer be using your device, you may want to do a factory reset. Reset your Chromebook, it’s named Powerwash as well.

A factory reset erases all the information on your Chromebook's hard drive, including all the files in the Downloads folder.

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.

Note: 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.

For more details, please refer to Chromebook Help from Google: 

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183084

 

Before you factory reset your Chromebook

Step 1: Make sure you should reset

You might want to reset your Chromebook if:

  • You see 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

Step 2: Try these other steps first

  1. Turn off your Chrome extensions one at a time, checking each time if your Chromebook is working again. 
  2. Try resetting your Chromebook's hardware. Here you can learn more about How to reset your Chromebook hardware (Hard reset).

If neither of these steps fix the problem, continue to step 3.

Step 3: Back up your files and info (important)

Factory reset erases all the information on your Chromebook's hard drive, including your settings, apps, and files. Before you reset, make sure to:

  • Sync your information and settings to your Google Account. 
  • Back up your files on Google Drive or an external storage device. 

The factory reset won't delete any of your files on Google Drive or external hard drive.

 

Factory reset your Chromebook

Google provides two methods to reset your Chromebook to factory settings, and you can choose either one to perform it.

 

Method 1: Reset your Chromebook under Advanced settings

Note: If you can’t sign in to your Google account, please try to use keyboard shortcuts to reset your Chromebook.

  1. Click [Status Bar]① at the bottom-right of the screen, then click [Settings]②.
  2. Expand the [Advanced] settings③, then select [Reset settings]④.
  3. Click [Reset] under the Powerwash section⑤.
  4. Select [Restart]⑥.
  5. After the Chromebook restarts, confirm whether you want to reset this Chromebook, then select [Powerwash]⑦.
  6. Select [Continue] to start the reset process⑧.
  7. The reset is complete, your Chromebook will display the welcome screen for the first time using. 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.
  8. Once you've reset your Chromebook：
    Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
    Check if the problem is fixed

If you've reset your Chromebook, but it's still having problems, try these steps:

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Method 2: Using keyboard shortcuts to reset your Chromebook

  1. Sign out of your Chromebook. Click [Status Bar]① at the bottom-right of the screen, then click [Sign out]②.
  2. Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R key on the keyboard.
    Note: If your Chromebook is Detachable series and doesn’t have a keyboard, please refer to How to factory reset your Chromebook (without keyboard).
  3. After the following screen displays, select [Restart]③.
  4. After the Chromebook restarts, confirm whether you want to reset this Chromebook, then select [Powerwash]④.
  5. Select [Continue] to start the reset process⑤.
  6. The reset is complete, your Chromebook will display the welcome screen for the first time using. 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.
  7. Once you've reset your Chromebook：
    Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
    Check if the problem is fixed

If you've reset your Chromebook, but it's still having problems, try these steps:

Back to Table of Contents

 

How to factory reset your Chromebook (without keyboard)

If you want to reset your Chromebook with the operation on tablet only, you can follow the below steps to complete.

  1. Press Power button, Volume Up key and Volume Down key at the same time for about 10 seconds.
  2. When you see the prompt window which requires to insert a recovery USB stick, press Volume Up key or Volume Down key to go to the next menu.
  3. After the following screen appears, press both Volume Up key and Volume Down key at the same time.
  4. Navigate [Confirm Disabling OS Verification] by the Volume key (up or down)①, then press Power button to select it.
  5. Navigate [Enable OS Verification] by the Volume key (up or down)②, then press Power button to select it.
  6. Navigate [Confirm Enabling OS Verification] by the Volume key (up or down)③, then press Power button to select it. Your Chromebook will start the reset process.
  7. The reset is complete, your Chromebook will display the welcome screen for the first time using. 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.
  8. Once you've reset your Chromebook：
    Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Chromebook
    Check if the problem is fixed

If you've reset your Chromebook, but it's still having problems, try these steps:

Back to Table of Contents