The core promise of Chromebooks is that they’re easier than a Mac or a Home windows PC, and for probably the most half, that’s true. However they’re nonetheless vulnerable to primary laptop issues generally, and that features freezes. In case your Chromebook is frozen for no matter cause, right here’s how one can attempt to repair it.
Learn how to repair a frozen Chromebook
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Simply to be clear, we’re going to outline “frozen” as that means there’s content material onscreen, however your Chromebook isn’t doing something additional, and it received’t reply to mouse, keyboard, or trackpad enter. There could or is probably not an error message, however we’re particularly skipping the “ChromeOS is lacking or broken” message, which tells you what to do to unravel it.
For all different freezes, observe these troubleshooting steps:
- Strive rebooting your Chromebook. In some circumstances, this can be all you must get again on monitor. No matter glitch brought about the freeze may solely be momentary, and laborious if not unimaginable to repeat. Reboots can generally resolve cache- or process-related issues.
- Shut pointless apps, tabs, and home windows. Assuming you’re capable of boot to a usable desktop, attempt instantly closing something you’ll be able to afford to. This accomplishes two issues, the primary being that it reduces the demand in your Chromebook’s RAM and processor. Low accessible reminiscence can generally result in freezes (see beneath). It additionally helps gauge potential causes — in the event you solely encounter one other freeze after opening one thing particular, or a sure amount of issues, you’ll be able to keep away from that sooner or later.
- In the event you’re seeing the “He’s Lifeless, Jim!” error message, that particularly signifies low reminiscence. You’ll must reboot your Chromebook and shut all non-essential apps, tabs, and home windows. Be considered about opening new ones.
- In the event you’re listening to unusually loud fan exercise, that would imply your Chromebook is locking up as a result of it’s too scorching. Energy it down, unplug it, and use a compressed air can (or not less than an air bulb) to scrub mud and particles out of its vents. In the event you’re utilizing a can, purpose at an angle to keep away from spraying stray liquid inside. Once you begin again up, keep away from utilizing your Chromebook in scorching ambient situations, comparable to direct daylight throughout summer season warmth.
- Uninstall something you added simply earlier than the freeze. If nothing has helped to this point, it’s potential {that a} bug in a specific app or extension you put in is accountable, assuming the freeze occurred shortly thereafter. Try our uninstall information for extra assist with this activity, together with eradicating Android apps.
- Reset your Chromebook. This ought to be your next-to-last resort, because the course of will naturally take some time, and isn’t even a assured repair — all you’re doing is returning your Chromebook to an uncomplicated “virgin” state. You’ll must set your laptop up once more as if it have been new, and also you’ll lose any downloaded information. Once you’re prepared, again up any information you wish to maintain (if potential) and observe our reset information.
- Recuperate your Chromebook. This step is much more excessive than a reset, because it fully wipes a Chromebook’s laborious drive and reinstalls ChromeOS. The method can be extra time-consuming than a reset, and a few older Chromebooks can solely be recovered utilizing a USB drive or SD card ready on one other laptop. Fortunately, newer fashions can join on to the web throughout restoration. Maintain down the Esc and Refresh keys (or in some circumstances Esc and Maximize), then whereas nonetheless holding them, press Energy. A message ought to seem onscreen, at which level you’ll be able to let go of all keys and choose Recuperate utilizing web connection. Observe directions to finish the restoration cycle.
