'Why won't my Chromebook turn on?': 4 ways to troubleshoot a Chromebook that won't start

insider@insider.com (Devon Delfino)
google chromebook
google chromebook

Konstantin Savusia/Shutterstock

  • Your Chromebook might not turn on if your charger is broken, or if the software that starts your computer is glitching.

  • When your Chromebook won't turn on, it can be difficult to troubleshoot, since the computer gives you no indication of what's happening.

  • You do still have options, however, like performing a hard reset to clear up software issues.

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There are few things as frustrating as a computer that just won't turn on when you need it to.

For those with a Chromebook, troubleshooting can be a challenge — the operating system is too simple to make a lot of changes. But, depending on the issue, you may be able to fix it by doing something as simple as moving to a new outlet.

Here are a few reasons why your Chromebook might not turn on, and how to fix them.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

HP 14-inch Chromebook (From $249 at Best Buy)

How to fix a Chromebook that won't turn on

There are a number of reasons why your Chromebook isn't turning on.

You could, for example, be dealing with a faulty power outlet or charger — but there could be a more difficult problem, like an issue with the startup routine, that's preventing it from turning on.

For power issues like this, Google suggests charging the device for at least 30 minutes to see if it'll hold a charge and function properly. Once you've charged it for a while, press the power button and see if it turns on.

If not, however, here are some other steps you should take:

  • Double-check that the outlet is working by plugging in another item at that outlet. If that new item doesn't work, you can assume that the outlet isn't working, and try to use another one with your Chromebook's charger.

  • Figure out if the charger is working by plugging it into another device to see if it'll deliver a charge. If not, you'll need to get a new charger to get your Chromebook to charge and turn on.

Chromebook charger
Chromebook charger

Amazon

  • Perform a hard reset by holding down the power and refresh keys for 10 seconds. Then check to see if the charging indicator light turns on when you plug in the charger. If not, try another hard reset and check back.

  • If two hard resets don't fix the issue, Google suggests unplugging the charger, then plugging it back into the outlet and then the computer, and checking to see if the charging indicator light turns on. If it works, they suggest charging it for an hour before trying to start it up again.

If you still aren't able to get your Chromebook to turn on, try contacting your computer's manufacturer for more specific troubleshooting tips.

For example, those with a Samsung Chromebook may need to enter recovery mode on their laptop by holding the escape, refresh and power keys. Other manufacturers will have different instructions.

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