Dealing with Update Issues On a Chromebook

Your Chromebook does its best to keep itself up-to-date automatically by checking every time you turn it on. When you run into problems, it can be frustrating. This guide will take you through steps to try to resolve those problems.

1. Open Google Chrome.
   
2. In the address bar at the top, type www.google.com, then push the Enter key on your keyboard. The Google search page should come up.
   
3. Try entering something in the search bar, then select Google Search.
   
4. Your search results should open up. If they do, you are connected to the Internet.
   

There are 2 main ways to restart your Chromebook. The first method is preferred.

Shut Down From Menus

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
2. Select the Power symbol. Your Chromebook will turn off.
   
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

Shut Down With Hardware

1. Push and hold the Power Button on your keyboard for 10 seconds.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Push the Power Button on your Chromebook to turn it back on.

Your Chromebook automatically checks for updates on startup. This step will walk you through checking manually.

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
2. Select Settings.
   
3. Select the Menu in the top-left.
   
4. Select About Chrome OS or About Chromium OS on the bottom left of the menu.
   
5. Select Check For Updates.
   
6. If your device is up-to-date, it will show that here.
   
7. If there is an update pending, you will be asked to reboot. Choose to reboot, and your device will reboot and update on its own.

The next step will be factory resetting your Chromebook. This will lose any data currently on your device. It is important to have your data backed up before proceeding, so you don't lose anything.

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
   
   
2. Select Settings.
   
   
   
3. Select the Menu in the top-left.
   
   
   
4. Select Advanced.
   
   
   
5. Select Reset.
   
   
   
6. Select Powerwash.
   
   
   
7. Select Restart.
   
   
   
8. Your Chromebook will reboot.
9. You will be asked if you wish to reset your device. Select Powerwash.
   
   
   
10. Select Continue to confirm.
    
    
    
11. Your Chromebook will perform the factory reset, then reboot, just like new.

1. First, choose Let's go.
   
   
   
2. If you're using a wireless connection, select your Wi-Fi network here.
   
   
   
3. Fill in your Wi-Fi password, then select Connect.
   
   
   
4. Next, you'll be asked to log into your Google account.

Existing Google Account

1. Enter your GMail e-mail address, then select Next.
   
   
   
2. Enter your Google password, then select Next.
   
   
   
3. If you have 2-step Verification enabled, you'll be prompted for the that now. Once filled in, select Next.
   

1. Next, you'll be shown the Terms and Conditions. Read these carefully. When you're done, scroll to the bottom, and choose I Agree.
   
   
   
2. Select Next.
   
   
   
3. Select a picture for your profile, then select OK.
   
   
   
4. You'll be given an option to Take a tour of your Chromebook. It's a great idea to take this simple tour to get you up to speed fast with your new Chromebook! If you'd rather look at the tour later, and start using your Chromebook right away, click the X in the right corner.
   
   
   

Your Chromebook automatically checks for updates on startup. This step will walk you through checking manually.

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
2. Select Settings.
   
3. Select the Menu in the top-left.
   
4. Select About Chrome OS or About Chromium OS on the bottom left of the menu.
   
5. Select Check For Updates.
   
6. If your device is up-to-date, it will show that here.
   
7. If there is an update pending, you will be asked to reboot. Choose to reboot, and your device will reboot and update on its own.

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
   
   
2. Select Settings.
   
   
   
3. Scroll down. Under People, select Sync.
   
   
   
4. Make sure the toggle-switch on the right for Sync everything is turned on.
   

Your Chromebook does not save files locally in most cases. The only exception to this is any files you've downloaded that you may wish to save. This step will guide you through checking your Downloads, and saving them to Google's servers to keep them safe.

1. Select the Apps menu in the bottom-left corner.
   
   
   
2. Select All Apps > Files.
   
   
   
3. Select Downloads on the left. These are the only files stored on your Chromebook.
   
   
   
   • You can open a file by double-clicking on it.
   • You can copy files to your Google Drive by dragging them to My Drive on the left. Copying a file to Google Drive places them on Google's servers, so they won't be lost if your Chromebook is restored.

Ethernet Cable
Ethernet Port

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into your device's Ethernet port.

1. Select the User menu by clicking your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
   
2. Select the triangle > next to the network option.
   
3. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on at the top of the menu. Then, select your Wi-Fi network, it will usually be at or near the top.
   
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password. You may also want to place a check mark next to Share this network with other users, so other people who use this Chromebook can connect to this Wi-Fi network as well. Then, select Connect.
   
5. When you are connected, the Wi-Fi icon will show as filled in in the bottom right-hand corner.