What a factory reset does and why you might need one
A factory reset clears everything from your school Chromebook — all files, accounts, extensions, and settings — and returns it to the state it arrived in. You do not need developer mode to do this. The standard reset process works on any Chromebook, including ones your school has locked down.
You might reset a school Chromebook if you are leaving the school, if the device is running slowly, or if you want to remove an old account before passing it to someone else. The reset will remove your personal files, so back up anything you need first. School-installed apps and restrictions may return after you sign in with a school account again, depending on how your school has configured the device.
The reset itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires you to be signed in. You do not need a password you have forgotten, and you do not need to contact your school's IT department unless the device is completely broken.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset clears all files and accounts from your Chromebook and returns it to factory settings, and you can do this without developer mode.
- Back up any personal files to Google Drive or an external drive before you start, because the reset will delete everything on the device.
- You must be signed into a Google account to reset the Chromebook — you cannot reset it from the login screen.
- After the reset completes, you can sign in with any Google account, including a personal one, though school restrictions may return if you use a school account.
- If the Chromebook is completely frozen or will not turn on, a factory reset will not work and you will need to contact your school.
Back up your files before you reset
Anything stored only on the Chromebook itself — files in the Downloads folder, photos, documents — will be deleted and cannot be recovered. Files saved to Google Drive will remain because they are stored in your Google account, not on the device.
Open Google Drive in a browser tab and check that all the files you care about are there. If you have files only in Downloads or on the desktop, move them to Google Drive now. You can also read files to an external USB drive or SD card if you prefer — plug it in, right-click the file, and choose Save to Drive or read.
Once you have confirmed your files are safe, you are ready to reset.
Sign in and open the reset menu
Make sure you are signed into the Chromebook with a Google account. If you are at the login screen, sign in first. You cannot reset a Chromebook from the login screen — you must be inside the device.
Click the time in the bottom right corner of the screen. A menu will pop up showing your account, battery, and Wi-Fi status. Look for a gear icon or the word Settings and click it. This opens the Chromebook settings page in a new tab.
On the left side of the settings page, scroll down until you see Reset settings or Powerwash. Click it. A warning will appear telling you that all files and settings will be deleted. This is normal — click Restart or Reset to continue.
Let the reset complete without interruption
The Chromebook will restart automatically. You will see a spinning circle or progress bar on the screen. Do not close the lid, unplug the device, or press any buttons. The reset usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, though it can take longer on older devices or if the hard drive is very full.
The screen may go black for a minute or two — this is normal. The device may restart more than once. Keep the Chromebook plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi during the entire process. If the screen has not changed in 20 minutes, the device may have frozen, and you will need to hold the power button for 10 seconds to force it off and try again.
Sign in after the reset is complete
When the reset finishes, you will see the Chromebook login screen, just as if the device were brand new. The screen will ask you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi. Follow these prompts.
You can now sign in with any Google account — a personal account, a new school account, or a different school account if you are moving to a different school. If you sign in with a school account, your school's apps and restrictions may be installed automatically, depending on how your school manages devices. If you sign in with a personal Google account, the device will have no restrictions.
After you sign in, your Google Drive files will appear in the Files app, and any apps you had installed from the Google Play Store will be available to reinstall.
What to do if the reset does not work
If the Chromebook is completely frozen, will not turn on, or gets stuck on the reset screen, a standard factory reset will not help. Try holding the power button for 10 seconds to force the device off, then turn it back on and try the reset again from the beginning.
If the device still will not reset, or if you see an error message, contact your school's IT department or tech support. They can perform a more advanced reset or check whether the device has a hardware problem. Do not try to open the device or remove the battery yourself — this can damage it and may void any warranty.
What happens to school restrictions after a reset
If your school uses a tool like Google Workspace for Education or Chromebook management software, restrictions and apps may return automatically when you sign in with a school account. The reset itself removes them, but the school's management system can reinstall them.
If you want to use the Chromebook without school restrictions, sign in with a personal Google account instead. The device will work normally, and you will have full access to the Chrome Web Store and all websites. If you later sign in with a school account, the restrictions will return.
If you are leaving the school and want to keep the Chromebook, ask your school's IT department whether they can remove the device from their management system. This will prevent restrictions from returning when you sign in with a personal account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the reset remove my Google account from the Chromebook?
Yes. After the reset, the Chromebook will show the login screen, and you will need to sign in again with a Google account. Your Google Drive files and account data are stored on Google's servers, not on the device, so they will still be there when you sign in again.
Can I reset a Chromebook if I forgot the password?
No, not with the standard reset method. You must be signed in to access the settings menu. If you have forgotten your Google password, go to accounts.google.com on another device and use the password recovery process. Once you have reset your password, you can sign in to the Chromebook and perform the reset.
What if my school has locked down the settings menu?
Some schools restrict access to the reset option. If you cannot find Reset settings or Powerwash in the settings menu, your school has disabled it. Contact your school's IT department to request a reset, or ask whether they can remove the device from their management system so you can reset it yourself.
Do I need to remove my school account before I reset?
No. The reset will remove all accounts automatically. You do not need to sign out first or delete the account manually. After the reset, you can sign in with any account you choose.
Will resetting the Chromebook remove viruses or malware?
A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes everything on the device and reinstalls the operating system. However, if the Chromebook has a hardware-level infection or a compromised BIOS, a standard reset may not remove it. For most users, a reset is sufficient to clean a Chromebook.