What a factory reset does to your Samsung Chromebook

A factory reset wipes your Samsung Chromebook back to the state it left the factory. It removes all your files, accounts, and settings from the device itself — but not from Google's servers. When you sign back in with your Google account, your bookmarks, extensions, and some settings will return automatically. The reset is useful when the device runs slowly, won't start properly, or you're passing it to someone else.

The reset process takes 10 to 15 minutes and requires you to be signed in with a Google account. You do not need to remove the device from your network or use a recovery drive unless something has gone seriously wrong with the operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset removes all local files and accounts from your Chromebook but restores your Google account data when you sign back in.
  • You can reset directly from Settings if your Chromebook starts normally and you have a Google account password.
  • If your Chromebook won't start or won't let you sign in, you will need to use a recovery drive created on another computer.
  • Back up any files stored only on the device itself before you reset, because they cannot be recovered afterward.
  • A factory reset does not remove the device from your Google account's trusted devices list — you may need to do that separately if you are giving the Chromebook away.

Reset from Settings when your Chromebook starts normally

If your Samsung Chromebook turns on and lets you sign in, the fastest reset route is through the Settings menu. Sign in with your Google account, then click the time in the bottom right corner and select the gear icon to open Settings. In the left sidebar, click Advanced, then Reset settings, then Powerwash. The system will ask you to confirm — click Restart.

Your Chromebook will restart and show a progress screen. Do not unplug it or close the lid during this time. When the reset finishes, you will see the sign-in screen again. Sign in with your Google account, and your bookmarks, extensions, and saved passwords will return within a few minutes. Any files you stored in Google Drive remain untouched on Google's servers.

Use a recovery drive if your Chromebook won't start or sign in

If your Chromebook won't boot into the normal sign-in screen, or if you cannot sign in even with the correct password, you will need to create a recovery drive on another computer and use it to reset the device. You will need a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space and access to another computer running Windows, Mac, or Linux.

On the working computer, open Chrome and go to chrome.google.com/chromebook/recovery. Click get your free guide, then select Samsung from the manufacturer list and your Chromebook model from the device list. Chrome will read a recovery image — this may take several minutes depending on your internet speed. When the read finishes, insert the USB drive, select it from the list in the recovery tool, and click Create now. The tool will format the drive and write the recovery image to it.

Plug the USB drive into your Samsung Chromebook, then press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Refresh (the Refresh key is the circular arrow at the top of the keyboard). Release the keys when you see the recovery screen. The Chromebook will boot from the USB drive and walk you through the reset process. When it finishes, remove the USB drive and sign in with your Google account.

Back up files before you reset

Files stored in Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos are safe during a reset — they live on Google's servers and will be there when you sign back in. Files stored only on your Chromebook's local storage will be deleted and cannot be recovered.

Before you reset, open the Files app and check your Downloads folder and any other folders on the device. If you see files you want to keep, open Google Drive in a new tab and drag them into a Drive folder. You can also email files to yourself or upload them to another cloud service like OneDrive or Dropbox. Take a few minutes to do this — once the reset starts, local files are gone.

Remove your Chromebook from your Google account if you are giving it away

A factory reset removes all accounts from the device, but it does not remove the Chromebook from your Google account's list of trusted devices. If you are giving the device to someone else, you should also sign into your Google account from another device and remove the Chromebook from your security settings.

Go to myaccount.google.com and click Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Your devices and click Manage all devices. Find your Chromebook in the list, click it, and select Remove. This prevents the new owner from accessing your account if they somehow recover your login information.

What to do if the reset fails or gets stuck

If your Chromebook restarts but the reset screen does not appear, or if the progress bar stops moving for more than 20 minutes, try a hard restart. Press and hold the power button until the device shuts down completely — this usually takes 10 seconds. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The reset should resume where it left off.

If the Chromebook still will not reset and you have already tried the recovery drive method, the device may have a hardware problem. Contact Samsung support with your model number and a description of what happened. They can advise whether the device needs service or whether there are other troubleshooting steps to try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my Google account data when I factory reset?

No. Your Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, bookmarks, and extensions are stored on Google's servers, not on the Chromebook itself. When you sign back in after the reset, they will return automatically. Only files stored in the local Downloads folder or other local storage will be deleted.

Can I reset my Chromebook without a Google account password?

If you are the owner and you have forgotten your password, you can reset it at accounts.google.com before you start the Powerwash. If you do not have access to the recovery email or phone number on the account, you will need to use a recovery drive instead, which does not require you to sign in.

How long does a factory reset take?

A reset from Settings usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. A reset using a recovery drive may take 20 to 30 minutes because the Chromebook has to read and install the operating system. Do not interrupt the process — leave the device plugged in and do not close the lid.

Will the reset remove viruses or malware from my Chromebook?

A factory reset removes any files or programs stored on the device, which includes most malware. However, if malware is embedded in the firmware or recovery partition, a standard reset may not remove it. If you suspect a serious infection, use the recovery drive method, which reinstalls the operating system from scratch.

Do I need to remove the Chromebook from my Google account before I reset it?

No. The reset itself removes all accounts from the device. However, if you are giving the Chromebook to someone else, you should sign into your Google account from another device and remove the Chromebook from your trusted devices list in Security settings, so the new owner cannot access your account.