How to reset your Chromebook: A step-by-step guide

Chromebooks are wonderfully simple devices to use. There’s very little room for clutter, and that’s one of their main advantages over PC laptops. Still, sometimes you want to start fresh, and the best way to do so is to reset your Chromebook. Maybe you’ve got troublesome cookies, favorites, and settings that aren’t working for you? Or you might have inherited a Chromebook that you want to make your own? Here’s a quick breakdown to give you all the best tips and tricks on how to perform a Chromebook reset.

Here: What is a Chromebook, and what can it do?

QUICK ANSWER

To reset your Chromebook, sign out of it, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r, click Restart and then click Reset. You can also use the Settings app by going to Settings -> Advanced -> Reset settings and clicking Reset under Powerwash.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

Do you really need to reset your Chromebook?

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Before taking this major, irreversible step, make sure it’s really what you need. There are plenty of reasons to reset a Chromebook, but you might have other options, like manually changing your profile and user preferences.

Then again, some reasons for resetting your Chrome OS device are unambiguous. These include reselling your Chromebook or buying a used one, having problems after you’ve tried resetting it, having profile issues, or seeing a message pop up on your screen that says something along the lines of “Reset this Chrome device.” If you’re in any of those boats, it will probably be best to go ahead and reset your Chromebook.

Also: Can a Chromebook replace my main computer?

Alternatives to a full reset

Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

Before you go for the full Chromebook reset, try these two alternatives, just in case.

• Turn off each of your Chrome extensions, one at a time. For every extension you close, check if your Chromebook is working normally again. You can check out how to manage your Chromebook extensions here.
• Sometimes you might need to power your hardware down. This will reset your keyboard and trackpad. It will also delete some of the files in your Downloads folder that might be causing problems. To do this, turn off your Chromebook, then press Refresh > Power.
• If you’re still having problems, you’re now at the stage where you’ll want to do a full Chromebook reset.

More: How to delete apps from your Chromebook

How to reset Chromebook using shortcut keys

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Before resetting a Chromebook, make sure you back up anything you don’t want to lose. The reset will wipe all files, settings, and apps on your hard drive. So before resetting, sync your settings to your Google account and back up any important files to Google Drive. That is, if you want to keep any of those.

• Sign out of your Chromebook.
• Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r simultaneously.
• Click Restart.
• A dialogue box will appear. Click Reset.
• Sign in with your Google account.
• Follow the steps for setting up a new Chromebook.
• Make sure whatever problem led you to reset your Chromebook has been resolved.

Next: The most useful Chromebook shortcuts and gestures

How to reset Chromebook in Settings

Again, make sure to sync your settings to your Google account and back up any important files to Google Drive before resetting your Chromebook.

• Click the notification area in the bottom-right corner.
• Select the cog next to lock to go into Settings.
• Go into Advanced.
• Click Reset settings.
• Under Powerwash, select Reset.
• A dialogue box will appear. Click Restart.
• Sign in with your Google Account.
• Follow the steps for setting up a new Chromebook.
• Make sure whatever problem led you to reset your Chromebook has been resolved.

Next: Chromebook vs laptop

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