Chromebook Troubleshooting

Tech Support REquest for Families

Contact the the WCSD Help Desk on this form with questions about WCSD owned devices not working or internet connection issues. If you child doesn't remember his or her password, you should also email this address.

My cursor has disappeared or is acting strange, what do I do?

Use the power button to turn off your device, wait a few seconds, and power it back on to see if it resolved the issue.

My Chromebook keeps dropping the network, what should I do?

Use the power button to turn off your device, wait a few seconds, and power it back on to see if it resolved the issue. Rebooting forces your computer to connect to a closer Wireless Access Point. If you can connect your chromebook in directly to your house Internet, please do. You'll need an ethernet cable and dongle from a usb to a female ethernet.

I cannot type a quote, how do I fix my keyboard?

You may have inadvertently switched your keyboard from US to INTL, GB, or another language.

Look in the bottom-right corner, and if it does not say “US”, click on the code
Select US Keyboard

Any tips on how I can keep my Chromebook in good health?

Turn it off every few days. This helps refresh the settings and the memory. Your Chromebook will run faster. You should also be turning your phone off at least once a week as well.
Clear out your cache and cookies on a regular basis (Chrome Settings > Scroll down to Advance click on it > Choose Clear Browsing History and select the options below:
1. For Time range choose All Time
2. Check Cookies and other site data
3. Check Cached images and files
4. Click on Clear Data
Don’t let the battery get to 0% because the newer Chromebooks will need 5-15 minutes to charge before it lets you power on.
Don’t expose it to extreme cold or heat like leaving it in a car.
Be kind to it. Keep it safe, dry, and protected.

Can I change my password?

You cannot change your password on your Chromebook. If you do not remember your password and you are in 5th grade, please email Mrs. Frank (her email is listed below). Sixth grade students will need to email the wcsd_helpdesk@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Cleaning Up Chromebook Files

I cannot get my Chromebook to charge, any suggestions?

Yes, some of the Chromebooks are very temperamental when they are completely dead or are close to dead. If you can get the red charger light to stay on for more than 5 seconds, you are good!

Try the following if you are having troubles getting the light to turn on:

Make sure the cable is plugged into the block before you begin. You can remove it and re-attach to be sure.
Plug your charger into the wall first then into your Chromebook, if the charger light stays on you are good!
If that does not work, unplug the charger from the wall and the Chromebook. Now attach the charger to your Chromebook and then plug into the wall, if the charger light stays on you are good!
If you still cannot get the light to turn on, try a different outlet and repeat the above to see if it was the outlet.
If you can, try your charger on another Chromebook that uses that same model. Does your Charger work for that Chromebook?
When you have tried all the above, please contact the help desk email above.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

Turn Mic on & off quickly: Ctrl-D

Screenshots:

(Note: F5 is the key that shows a rectangle with 2 lines after it)

To get the entire screen, press Ctrl-F5.̀
To get just an area on the screen, press Ctrl-Shift-F5. Then press down on the touchpad and drag to select the area you want. Let go to take the screenshot.
To get a certain window, press Ctrl-Alt-F5. Then click on the window you want.

The screenshots will get stored in your Downloads folder. Open up the Files app to find them.

Right-click: Tap both fingers simultaneously on the track pad

Log-out: Press Ctrl + Shift + Q twice

Turn on Caps Lock: Search Key + ALT