How-To

How To Reset a Chromebook to Default Factory Settings (Updated)

Whether you’re selling your Samsung Chromebook and want to get rid of your profile, or are having technical issues,doing a factory reset is the way to go.

Recently my friend, colleague, and owner of groovyPost, Steve Krause — aka Mr. Groove, sent me his Samsung Chromebook so I can start using it and write up tips and tricks. He had already set it up with his Google profile and I wanted to get rid of it and reset it to factory defaults.

Getting the Chromebook

While you can create separate accounts, and all Steve had to do is log out, his name and picture always showed up on the login screen.

Chromebook Login Screen

This applies to all Samsung Chromebooks.

Samsung calls the factory reset a “Powerwash” of the device. When you do this, it will erase all data and settings, so make sure you back up important things you need if they’re not on Google servers already.

Factory Reset Chromebook Method 1

  1. Hold down the power button until the Chromebook completely powers off.
  2. Hit the power button to boot it up – don’t log in. Alternatively, you can simply log out of your account.
  3. At the login screen press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R
  4. You’ll see the following screen – select Reset.

Factory Reset Message

The Chromebook will reboot and this time you’ll get the following screen. Click the Powerwash button then confirm the action. You can optionally check the “Update firmware for added security” box

Factory Reset Chromebook Method 2

First, log in to your Chromebook and click the Setting button and click Settings from the menu.

Settings

Then scroll down and click Show Advanced Settings. Continue to scroll down to the very bottom and click the Powerwash button.

powerwash

Verify you want to do the factory reset by clicking the Restart button. Then follow the onscreen instructions to connect to a WiFi network and set up your Google account.

Reset

Whether you’re selling your Chromebook and want to get rid of your profile and data first, or are having technical issues with it, doing a factory reset is the way to go.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. jean Robert

    thanks a lot for y”all help that,it helps me to reset my chromebook because l fegot my password.my chromebook new again.

  2. Rafa

    Nice post, easy and clear

  3. Claudia

    Would one of these methods be able to take the device out of store demo mode?

  4. Noel Vaughn

    When I follow the Alt, Control, etc. process I don’t receive a reset option. All I receive is a power wash and the Samsung chrome book is still managed by previous owner. I am trying to reset it to me. Cannot reach developer settings. Any ideas?
    Thank You Noel Vaughn

  5. John

    I followed the steps above and now my chrome book keeps restarting. Any suggestions?

  6. Matilda baker

    Mine also keeps restarting

  7. Jim

    1st Exampled worked great. Took all of about 60 seconds. I’m giving my HP Chromebook to a friend and it wiped both accounts on there literally instantly. Now it just has the original login “Sign in with your Google Account” or “Create New One”

    Thanks!

  8. Red sky

    Thank you it worked

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