Chromebook FAQ's & Troubleshooting

What programs can I use on my Chromebook?

-Any web-based program will work on a Chromebook. All school-required programs will be web-based.

-Google suite apps will be used for word processing, slides, spreadsheet creation, etc. Gmail will be used for email. Other commonly used programs include Book Creator, Flipgrid,

-Visit the Chrome Web Store to view apps and extensions available for Chromebooks.

-Here is information on how to print from your Chromebook.

What do I do if my Chromebook is running slow or freezing?

1. Make sure you don't have too many tabs open, too many apps or extensions downloaded, or too many things running in the background. This slows down any computer.

2. Give the Chromebook a hard reset by holding down the refresh button then pressing the power button at the same time. Keep holding the refresh button until it turns back on.

3. Use the suggestions in this article, such as deleting unused apps and extensions and removing downloads.

4. Use the suggestions below to free up hard disk space.

5. Powerwash your Chromebook. Sign out, press and hold the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r keys, select "Restart," select "Powerwash," and follow the rest of the steps to set it back up.

It says my hard disk is full. What do I do?

-Chromebooks are not meant to store files; files should be stored in the student's Google Drive (we have unlimited Google Drive storage). If you need to store files outside of Google Drive, you can use a MicroSD card or USB flash drive.

-If you hard disk is full, these articles have suggestions to free up space: Free Up Space on Chromebook, 20-Minute Chromebook Tune-Up & How to Free Up Storage Space.

What do I do if a website won't load properly?

-Try clearing the cache and cookies. Click the 3 dot in the top right corner, click More tools > Clear browsing data. Choose "All time" as the time range. Next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Caches images and files," check the boxes. Then click Clear data.

What do I do if my camera or microphone isn't turning on?

-How To: Allow (or Block) Camera and Microphone Access

How do I safely eject an external USB drive?

-Use the "Eject" button located next to the device name on the left side of the Files window.

-This article has specific step-by-step instructions.

What if my Chromebook completely stops working / charging / etc.?

-Try a hard reset. Hold down the refresh button then press the power button at the same time. Keep holding the refresh button until it turns back on.

-If it is a Dell Chromebook, call 866-516-3115 for 24/7 access to a support technician. If they are not able to help you over the phone, they will overnight a box to your home so you can mail Chromebook to Dell for repair, then they repair it and overnight it back to your home. The total time this takes is usually a week or less; students can borrow a school Chromebook while theirs is out for repair.

Common Chromebook Problems and How to Fix Them