Student Chromebooks
Troubleshooting Steps (In Order)
Clear Your Browsing Data
- Open chrome then press Control + H
- Select Clear Browsing Data
- Change the Time Range to All Time
- Clear Data then close Chrome

Restart
- Press and hold the Refresh and Power buttons
- Count to 3
- Release and count to 10
- If the device doesn’t turn back on then press the Power button to turn it on
Powerwash
- Press the Escape, Refresh and Power buttons at the same time.
- Press Control + D when the “OS is Missing or Damaged” screen appears.
- Press the keys listed on the screen prompt until the device reboots.
- Press Next when the Welcome screen loads.
- If you are in school, select the SouthernGuest Network option then press Accept and Continue.
- Agree to the Acceptable Use Policy if prompted.
- Sign into the Enterprise Enrollment screen with your SYCSD account.
- If you do not see the Enterprise Enrollment screen, press Control + E and then sign in.
- Sign into your Google account and begin using your Chromebook as normal.
Alternately
- Sign out of your Chromebook.
- Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.
- Select Restart.
- In the box that appears, select Powerwash and then Continue.
- Follow the steps above to complete the set up.
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Updating Chrome
- Click on the Time in the bottom-right of the Chromebook
- Click on the Settings gear
- Go to About Chrome OS
- Click the Check for Updates button
- Let it check for and download updates
- Press the Relaunch button
- You may need to repeat this depending on how out of date the browser was
Alternately
- Go to: chrome://settings/help
- Click the Go to Chrome OS Settings link
- Click the Check for Updates button
- Let it check for and download updates
- Press the Relaunch button
- You may need to repeat this depending on how out of date the browser was
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Check Accessibility Settings
If you have an issue with a colored circle highlighting your mouse, your mouse clicking by itself, your screen being the wrong size or color, or some other sudden weird change, it may be an accessibility setting
- Click on your Time in the bottom-right corner of the screen
- Click on the Accessibility icon
- Uncheck any of the options that have a checkbox beside it
- The most common are: Highlight the Mouse Cursor When It’s Moving, High-Contract Mode, Full-Screen Magnifier and Automatic Clicks.
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Staff Chromebooks
Troubleshooting Steps (In Order)
Clear Your Browsing Data – Fixes most Sapphire and Web Issues
- Open chrome then press Control + H
- Select Clear Browsing Data
- Change the Time Range to All Time
- Clear Data then close Chrome

Restart – Fixes Most Glitches
- Press and hold the Refresh and Power buttons
- Count to 3
- Release and count to 10
- If the device doesn’t turn back on then press the Power button to turn it on
Powerwash – Fixes Almost Everything Software Related
- Press the Escape, Refresh and Power buttons at the same time.
- Press Control + D when the “OS is Missing or Damaged” screen appears.
- Press the keys listed on the screen prompt until the device reboots.
- Press Next when the Welcome screen loads.
- If you are in school, select the SouthernGuest Network option then press Accept and Continue.
- Agree to the Acceptable Use Policy if prompted.
- Sign into the Enterprise Enrollment screen with your SYCSD account.
- If you do not see the Enterprise Enrollment screen, press Control + E and then sign in.
- Sign into your Google account and begin using your Chromebook as normal.
Updating Chrome – Fixes most Chrome Issues
- Click on the Time in the bottom-right of the Chromebook
- Click on the Settings gear
- Go to About Chrome OS
- Click the Check for Updates button
- Let it check for and download updates
- Press the Relaunch button
- You may need to repeat this depending on how out of date the browser was
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Staff Specific Issues
If your Chromebook Has Power but No Backlight
- This is usually when the LEDs light up in the front when plugged in and turned on but the screen remains black when booted up
- A Restart or Powerwash will fix it.
If the Charger Isn’t Working
- If your computer is not charging, try unplugging the charger and separating the cord from the brick.
- Plug everything back together and try again.
- You may also want to try a different outlet to make sure that isn’t the issue.
- If it still doesn’t charge then either go to the Tech Shed to trade it in for a replacement or call the Help Desk for a replacement.
If You Are Getting Weird Pop-Ups
- If you are having an issue where your settings have mysteriously changed or you are getting an excess of ads then check your extensions.
- Go to the three dots beside the Chrome search bar, hover over Tools and select the More Tools option.
- Remove any extensions that were not added by you or district administrators.
- Go to Settings and select Advanced Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select the option to Restore Settings to their Original Defaults.
- Restart the device and you should be back to normal.
Extra: If you want to test an app for your students but it comes up as blocked, put in a request through the Chromebook App Request Form.
If you still have issues, please contact the Tech Shed or the Help Desk and we will provide a loaner while your Chromebook is being repaired.
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If you require assistance or have a question that is not answered here then contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@sycsd.org or at 717-235-4811 extension 7262.