Change your Chromebook's language in Settings
Open the Settings app by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. From there, go to Advanced on the left side, then Languages and inputs. You'll see a list of languages already on your device. Click the three dots next to the language you want to use, then select Display Google Chrome in this language. Your Chromebook will ask you to restart — click Relaunch and the entire interface will switch over.
If the language you need isn't in the list, click Add languages at the top. Type or scroll to find your language, click it, then follow the same steps above to set it as your display language. The restart happens automatically after you choose it.
The language change affects everything: menus, buttons, notifications, and the login screen. The next time you sign in, you'll see the login screen in your new language too.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Advanced, then Languages and inputs to find the language menu.
- Click the three dots next to any language already installed, then select Display Google Chrome in this language.
- If your language isn't listed, click Add languages and search for it before setting it as your display language.
- Your Chromebook will restart automatically after you choose a new language, and the change applies to every screen and menu.
- You can switch back to English or any other installed language the same way, at any time.
Add a language that isn't pre-installed
Some languages come built into your Chromebook, but many don't. If you don't see your language in the Languages and inputs menu, click Add languages at the top of the list. A search box will appear. Type the name of your language — for example, "Tagalog" or "Swahili" — and click the result when it shows up.
Once you've added it, the language appears in your main language list. You can now set it as your display language by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting Display Google Chrome in this language. Your Chromebook will restart, and the interface will be in that language.
You can add multiple languages this way. They'll all stay in your language list, and you can switch between them whenever you want.
Switch between languages without restarting
If you've already installed multiple languages, you can change your keyboard input language without restarting your Chromebook. This is different from changing the display language — it lets you type in another language while keeping the menus in English, or vice versa.
Go back to Settings, then Advanced, then Languages and inputs. Look for Input methods below the language list. Click Add input methods and search for the keyboard layout you want. Once you've added it, a language icon will appear in the bottom right of your screen next to the time. Click it to switch between keyboard layouts when ready.
This is useful if you need to type in multiple languages but want to keep your menus in one language. You can switch keyboard layouts as many times as you want throughout the day without restarting.
Change the language for a specific user account
If multiple people use the same Chromebook, each person can have their own language setting. When you sign in with your account, your language preference is what appears. When someone else signs in, their preference shows up instead.
Each account has its own Settings. Sign in with the account you want to change, open Settings, go to Advanced, then Languages and inputs, and follow the same steps as above. That account will restart and display in the new language. Other accounts on the same Chromebook won't be affected.
This means you can have one account in English, another in Spanish, and a third in Mandarin on the same device. Each person sees their own language when they sign in.
Troubleshoot if your language won't change
If you've selected a new language but the interface is still in English after the restart, sign out completely and sign back in. Sometimes the change doesn't fully explore until you log out and log back in. Go to the bottom right, click your profile picture, then select Sign out. Sign back in with your account, and the new language should appear.
If that doesn't work, restart your Chromebook entirely. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds, then turn it back on. This forces a complete restart and usually resolves language display issues.
If you're trying to add a language and it won't appear in the search results, check your internet connection. Chromebooks need to read language packs from Google, so a weak or disconnected network will prevent new languages from showing up. Connect to a stronger Wi-Fi network and try adding the language again.
Revert to your original language
You can change back to English or any other language you've already installed at any time. Open Settings, go to Advanced, then Languages and inputs. Find the language you want to switch back to, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Google Chrome in this language. Your Chromebook will restart in that language.
If you've added languages you no longer need, you can remove them. Click the three dots next to the language and select Remove. This doesn't affect your display language — it just removes it from your list so the menu is less cluttered. You can always add it back later if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the language affect my files or documents?
No. Changing the display language only changes the menus, buttons, and system text. Your files, documents, and any text you've typed stay exactly the same. A document written in English will still be in English even if your Chromebook menus are in Spanish.
Can I have different languages for different apps?
The display language applies to the entire system, including all apps and the Chrome browser. You can't set individual apps to different languages. However, you can change your keyboard input method to type in different languages while keeping the menus in one language.
What if I don't see my language in the Add languages list?
Most languages are available, but some regional dialects or less common languages may not be supported. Check your internet connection first — Chromebooks need to read language packs. If your language still doesn't appear, it may not be available for Chromebook yet.
Do I need to restart my Chromebook every time I change the language?
Yes, changing the display language requires a restart. However, switching between keyboard input methods doesn't require a restart — you can do that when ready using the language icon in the bottom right corner.
If I change the language, will I need to sign in again?
Your Chromebook will restart after you change the language, but you'll stay signed in. The login screen will appear in your new language, but you don't need to enter your password again unless you've been signed out for other reasons.