Chromebook Won't Turn On - What To Do

So your Chromebook won’t turn on, huh? Ain’t that just the pits? Lucky for you, there are a few things you can try to get it up and running again. Let’s start with the basics.

Check that Battery

First things first, let’s make sure that battery’s got some juice. Plug it in and let it charge for a bit. If your charger’s busted, you might need to get yourself a new one before you can even think about firing up your Chromebook.

Update that Software

Sometimes, all it takes is a good ol’ software update to fix what’s ailing your device. Check for updates and make sure you’re running the latest version of everything. If there’s an update waiting for you, go ahead and install it.

Powerwash Reset

If you’re still having issues, it might be time to bring out the big guns. A powerwash reset will wipe your device clean and bring it back to its factory settings. Just make sure you back up all your important data before you hit that reset button.

Performing a Powerwash Reset on a Chromebook will erase all user data, settings, and apps. Here are the steps to perform a Powerwash Reset on a Chromebook:

Turn off your Chromebook.
Press and hold the Refresh button (circular arrow) and the Power button at the same time.
Release both buttons when the Chromebook boots up and the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message appears.
Press Ctrl + D to enter Developer mode.
Press the Space bar to confirm and enable OS verification off.
Wait for the Chromebook to reset and wipe everything. This process may take a few minutes.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Chromebook like new.

Remember to back up any important data before performing a Powerwash Reset.

Hard Reset

Okay, so you’re still not having any luck. It’s time for the hard reset. This involves unplugging everything from your Chromebook and giving it a good 15 seconds to cool down. Then, plug everything back in and see if it’ll turn on. It’s a long shot, but it might just do the trick.

Check The Screen

Sometimes the screen may be the issue instead of the device itself. Check if the screen is damaged, cracked, or if there are any loose connections.

Check The Power Outlet

Sometimes the power outlet itself may be the issue, so try plugging the charger into a different outlet to see if that works.

Disconnect External Devices

If you have any external devices connected to your Chromebook, such as a mouse or keyboard, try disconnecting them and then turning on your device to see if that solves the issue.

Remove The Battery

If your Chromebook has a removable battery, try removing it and then reinserting it to see if that helps.

Try A Different Charger

If you have access to another charger that is compatible with your Chromebook, try using that to see if it’s the charger that’s causing the issue.

Check Your Charger

Before you go plugging in your Chromebook to charge, give your charger a once-over. Are there any frayed wires or other signs of damage? If so, you might need to replace your charger before you can charge up your Chromebook.

Troubleshoot With A USB Drive

Sometimes, your Chromebook may be experiencing issues that prevent it from booting up properly. To troubleshoot this, you can try creating a recovery USB drive on a separate computer, then using it to boot up your Chromebook. From there, you can access the Chromebook Recovery Utility and attempt to repair any issues with your device.

Check For Physical Damage

If your Chromebook still won’t turn on, it’s time to give it a once-over. Are there any signs of physical damage, like cracks or dents? If so, you may need to take your Chromebook to a repair shop or contact tech support for further assistance.

Use Developer Mode

If you’re an advanced user and comfortable with tinkering with your Chromebook, you can try accessing Developer Mode. This will give you access to more advanced troubleshooting tools and options that may help you diagnose and fix the issue.

Update Your Firmware

Sometimes, outdated firmware can cause issues with your Chromebook’s power and performance. Check for firmware updates and install them if available to see if that helps.

Get Help

If you’ve tried everything and you’re still stuck, it’s time to call in the experts. Get in touch with tech support and let them diagnose the problem. They might even be able to fix things up remotely, so you won’t have to ship your Chromebook off.

Back It Up

And one more thing before you go. Make sure you back up all your important data. Photos, documents, music, the works. You don’t want to lose anything important in the repair process.

So there you have it. Give these steps a try and you just might be able to get your Chromebook up and running again.

J.S. is the owner, content creator, and editor at Upgrades-and-Options.com. I’ve worked in the IT and Computer Support field for over 20 years. The server hardware in my computer labs has mostly been IBM, but I’ve supported Dell, HP, and various other hardware. In addition, as part of my lab administrator responsibilities, I’ve learned, supported, and repaired/upgraded network hardware such as Cisco routers and switches. READ FULL BIO >>