Chromebook Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, Chromebooks act glitchy. Below are a few of the most common causes, and how you can easily try to fix the problem on your own. If you try all the appropriate steps, and it's still not working, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and we will get back to you ASAP.

One this page:

  • Chromebook not turning on.

  • Turn it off and back on for basic issues.

  • Updating your Chromebook.

  • Clearing the browser data.

  • Turning off an ad blocker.

  • Camera and/or microphone issues in Google Meet.

  • Form to request a site not be blocked.

  • Form to report a problem with your Chromebook.

It's Not Turning On

Sometimes, a Chromebook not turning on means it's time for a replacement. But, sometimes, it can still be used, and just may need some patience.

Plug the Chromebook in. When you do, you should see a light somewhere on the body of the Chromebook come on (Where the light is, and what color depends on the model.). If you don't see a light anywhere, try unplugging and re-plugging, and giggling the cord. No light could mean the Chromebook is completely dead, but it could also mean there is an issue with the cord itself.

Leave it plugged in. Sometimes, even if there is no light, it's because the battery is completely drained. Some models may require an extended period plugged in before anything happens in that case.

Turn It Off and Back On

Chromebooks only update when your Chromebook is turned off and turned back on. So if you're in the habit of just closing the lid when you're done, and opening it back up, try turning it all the way off. If it's really out of date, the process of updating might need to be done more than once.

Make Sure Chrome is Updated

As stated above, Chromebooks only update when your Chromebook is turned off and turned back on. You can also check to make sure you have the latest version of Chrome, and force it to update if you don't.

Bad Cookies or Other Things It's Remembering

Websites add little pieces of information to your browser's memory for a variety of reasons, making it easier to log in again or targeted advertising being two of the more common; those are cookies. Sometimes, those can interfere with the way other websites work. So if you try to use a site and it just doesn't work correctly, try ditching all of the stuff your browser is remembering. Here's how:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

At that point, it isn't a bad idea to restart your Chromebook, just to make sure everything "resets."

An Ad Blocker Blocking Too Much

Some websites just won't work with an ad blocker running. Sometimes ad blockers are a bit too eager and block things that the page needs in order to work. So if you have tried the above, and things still aren't right, you can try pausing the ad blocker, reloading the page, and see if that works. Here's how:

Step 1

Look for the ad blocker icon in the area to the right of the address bar. This is where you can see all the extensions that are installed.

Step 2

Let the ad blocker know you don't want anything on this page blocked. Before you do this, make sure you're on the page you're having trouble with.

Step 3

Reload the page and see if it works the way it's supposed to.

Problems with Sound or Video in Video Meetings

If you join a session in Google Meet or Zoom and can't be seen or heard, check these settings.

In the new menu that pops up:

In the settings tab that will have opened:

In the new menu:

When clicking on either the Camera or Microphone settings, you'll see this:

Most times, problems with video and sound happen because the first time you tried to use the site in question, you inadvertently clicked the button that told Chrome not to allow the site to access your camera and/or microphone. So from then on, they were disabled for that site. Removing them from the blocked list will prompt Chrome to ask you for permission to use them again the next time you go to the site.

Something Is Getting Caught in the Filter

We have a legal requirement and a responsibility to filter student accounts to try to make sure students are accessing websites and services that are school appropriate. Even though you're not at school, your Chromebook and Google account are still filtered by GoGuardian and our Google settings.

The vast majority of filtering is automated; there isn't someone sitting there in real-time deciding what you get to open and what you don't. Most of the time, the filters are pretty smart in what they're blocking, but sometimes, sites that are perfectly fine, even ones assigned by your teachers, might get caught up in the filter.

If you can't open a page, and you think it might be a problem with the filter, let me know, and I will look into it and get back to you.

Problem with a Chromebook

If your Chromebook or its charger are not working properly, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you ASAP.