Change Your Chromebook's Display Language in Settings
To change the language your Chromebook displays, open Settings by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. In the left menu, click Languages and input, then Languages. Click Add languages and search for the language you want. Select it, and a new language option will appear in your list.
Once the language is added, click the three dots next to it and select Display Chromebook in this language. Your Chromebook will ask you to sign out and sign back in to explore the change. After you sign in again, all menus, buttons, and system text will appear in your chosen language.
If you want to remove a language you added, click the three dots next to it in the Languages list and select Remove. Your Chromebook will keep the language you set as your display language until you change it again.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Languages and input, then Languages to see all available languages on your Chromebook.
- Click Add languages, search for your preferred language, and select it from the list.
- Use the three-dot menu next to your chosen language and select Display Chromebook in this language to make it active.
- You must sign out and sign back in for the language change to take effect across your entire Chromebook.
- You can remove any added language by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting Remove.
Where to Find the Languages Menu
The quickest way to reach the language settings is through the system menu in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click the time display, and a small panel will pop up showing your battery, network, and other quick settings. Look for the gear icon (⚙) and click it to open the full Settings page.
Once Settings opens, you will see a menu on the left side. Scroll down until you find Languages and input and click it. This section controls both the language your Chromebook displays and how your keyboard works. The Languages option is the first choice under this heading.
Adding a New Language to Your Chromebook
When you click Add languages, a search box appears where you can type the name of any language. You can search by the English name (like "Spanish" or "Japanese") or by the native name (like "Español" or "日本語"). As you type, matching languages will appear below the search box.
Click the language you want from the list. It will be added to your Languages list when ready. You can add as many languages as you need — there is no limit. Each language you add will appear with its own three-dot menu, giving you the option to set it as your display language or remove it later.
Some languages have regional variations. For example, you might see "Spanish (Spain)" and "Spanish (Mexico)" as separate options. Choose the version that matches your region or preference. The regional version you select will determine spelling, date formats, and some keyboard layouts.
Setting Your Display Language and Signing Back In
After you add a language, click the three dots next to it and select Display Chromebook in this language. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the change. Click Restart or Sign out (the exact wording depends on your Chromebook model).
Your Chromebook will sign you out automatically. When the login screen appears, sign back in with your Google Account. Once you are logged in, all system text, menus, and settings will display in your new language. This includes the login screen itself on future restarts.
The language change applies only to your user account. If other people use the same Chromebook with different accounts, each account can have its own language setting. Each person will see their chosen language when they sign in.
Changing Your Keyboard Language Separately
Your keyboard language and your display language are separate settings. You can have your Chromebook display in English but type in Spanish, or vice versa. To change your keyboard input method, stay in the Languages and input section and click Input methods instead of Languages.
Click Add input method and search for the keyboard layout you want. Select it, and it will be added to your list. You can then switch between keyboard layouts using the keyboard shortcut shown in the settings, usually Ctrl + Space or Ctrl + Shift + Space. A small indicator in the bottom right corner of your screen shows which keyboard layout is currently active.
This is useful if you need to type in multiple languages but want your menus and buttons to stay in one language. For example, a student might keep their Chromebook in English but add a French keyboard to type assignments in French.
Troubleshooting Language Changes That Do Not Appear
If you set a new display language but the Chromebook still shows the old language after signing back in, you may not have completed the sign-out step. Go back to Settings, Languages and input, Languages, and click the three dots next to your chosen language again. Select Display Chromebook in this language and make sure you fully sign out this time — do not just restart.
If a language you added does not appear in the list, your Chromebook may not have downloaded the language files yet. Wait a few minutes and refresh the page by pressing Ctrl + R. If the language still does not appear, try removing it and adding it again.
Some older Chromebooks may not support all languages, particularly those with non-Latin characters. If you cannot find a specific language in the Add languages list, your Chromebook model may not have support for it. Check your Chromebook's specifications or contact the manufacturer to confirm which languages are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple languages on my Chromebook at the same time?
Yes. You can add multiple languages to your Chromebook and switch between them by going back to Settings, Languages and input, Languages, and selecting a different language to display. Each time you change your display language, you will need to sign out and sign back in. You can also add multiple keyboard layouts and switch between them when ready using the keyboard shortcut.
Will changing my language affect my Google Account or other websites?
Changing your Chromebook's display language only affects what you see on your device. Your Google Account language setting is separate and can be different. Websites you visit may also have their own language settings. If you want to change your Google Account language, you can do that in your Google Account settings, which is different from your Chromebook settings.
What happens to my files and apps when I change the language?
Your files, apps, and data are not affected by changing your display language. All your documents, photos, and installed apps will remain exactly as they are. Only the text in menus, buttons, and system messages will change to your new language.
How do I change the language back to English?
Go to Settings, Languages and input, Languages. Find English in your list, click the three dots next to it, and select Display Chromebook in this language. Sign out and sign back in. English will then be your display language again.
Can I set a different language for each user account on my Chromebook?
Yes. Each person who signs into the Chromebook with their own account can set their own display language. When you sign in, you will see the language that was set for your account. When another person signs in, they will see their own language choice.