What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your Samsung Chromebook back to the state it left the factory—all your files, accounts, and settings disappear. The operating system itself stays intact. You would do this if the device is running slowly, won't start properly, you're selling or giving it away, or you've forgotten your password and can't get in any other way.

A factory reset is different from signing out. When you sign out of your Google account, your files and settings stay on the device. A factory reset removes them entirely. Once you reset, you'll need to sign back in with a Google account to use the Chromebook again.

The reset process takes 10 to 15 minutes and requires an internet connection. Your Chromebook will restart several times. Don't unplug it or close the lid during the process.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all files, accounts, and settings from your Samsung Chromebook and returns it to factory condition.
  • You can reset from the Settings menu if you can sign in, or from the login screen if you've forgotten your password.
  • The reset takes 10 to 15 minutes and requires power and internet throughout the process.
  • After reset, you'll need to sign in with a Google account to use the device again.
  • If your Chromebook won't turn on or reach the login screen, you may need to use recovery mode instead.

How to reset from Settings if you can sign in

If you can log into your Chromebook, the fastest reset route is through Settings. Open the Settings menu by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then click the gear icon. In the left sidebar, scroll down and click About Chrome OS.

Click Powerwash on the right side of the screen. A warning will appear telling you that all your files and accounts will be deleted. Click Powerwash again to confirm. Your Chromebook will restart and begin the reset. You'll see a progress screen. Let it finish—do not close the lid or unplug the device.

When the reset is complete, you'll be back at the login screen. Sign in with your Google account. Your Chromebook will read your settings and apps from Google's servers if you choose to restore them, though you can also set it up as new.

How to reset from the login screen if you're locked out

If you've forgotten your password or can't sign in, you can reset without logging in. At the login screen, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R all at once. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to reset the device.

Click Powerwash. You'll see another warning. Click Powerwash again. The device will restart and begin the reset process. This works the same way as resetting from Settings—the whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes.

When it's done, you'll return to the login screen. You can now sign in with any Google account. If you don't have one, you can create one during setup.

What to do if your Chromebook won't start or reach the login screen

If your Samsung Chromebook won't turn on, won't display anything, or freezes before reaching the login screen, a standard factory reset won't work. You'll need to use recovery mode instead, which rebuilds the operating system from scratch.

To enter recovery mode, turn off the Chromebook completely. Then press and hold Esc + Refresh (the Refresh key is usually at the top of the keyboard where F3 would be on a regular keyboard) and press the power button. Keep holding Esc and Refresh until you see a message saying "Chrome OS is missing or damaged."

You'll need a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space and another computer to create a recovery image. Go to google.com/chromeos/recovery on the other computer. Enter your Samsung Chromebook's model number (you can find this in your device's documentation or on the bottom of the device), select it from the list, and follow the steps to read and write the recovery image to the USB drive.

Plug the USB drive into your Chromebook while it's in recovery mode. The device will automatically detect it and reinstall Chrome OS. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it's done, remove the USB drive and the Chromebook will restart. You'll be at the login screen and can sign in normally.

Backing up your files before you reset

A factory reset deletes all files stored on your Chromebook. If you have files you want to keep, back them up before you reset. The easiest way is to upload them to Google Drive. Open the Files app, select the files or folders you want to keep, right-click, and choose Upload to Google Drive. They'll be saved to your Google account and you can read them after you reset and sign back in.

You can also copy files to an external USB drive or SD card. Open the Files app, plug in your external drive, and drag the files you want to keep into the drive's folder. Eject the drive safely before you reset.

If you use Google Photos, your photos are already backed up to your Google account as long as you've signed in. After you reset and sign back in, your photos will be there.

What happens to your Google account after reset

Resetting your Chromebook does not delete your Google account or any data stored in Google services like Gmail, Drive, Photos, or Calendar. Those are stored on Google's servers, not on your device. When you sign back in after the reset, all that data will be there.

The reset only removes files and settings stored directly on the Chromebook itself. If you had downloaded files to your Downloads folder, those are gone. If you had synced a folder to your device for offline use, that's gone too. But anything in your Google account stays.

Troubleshooting a reset that won't complete

If your Chromebook gets stuck during the reset process, make sure it's plugged in and connected to the internet. A weak Wi-Fi signal or a dying battery can interrupt the reset. Move closer to your router and plug in the power adapter, then try again.

If the reset still won't complete after 20 minutes, force a restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the device shuts down. Then turn it back on and try the reset again from Settings or the login screen.

If you're still stuck after a second attempt, your Chromebook may have a hardware problem. Try recovery mode as described above. If recovery mode also fails, contact Samsung support or take the device to a repair shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my Chromebook?

Yes. A factory reset removes everything on the device, including any malware. Chromebooks are also designed to be resistant to viruses because they run a sandboxed operating system, but a reset will clear anything that did get on the device. After reset, sign in and make sure Chrome OS is up to date by checking Settings > About Chrome OS.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once the reset is complete, all files and settings on the device are gone permanently. This is why backing up important files to Google Drive or an external drive before you reset is important. If you've already reset and lost files, you cannot recover them from the Chromebook itself.

Do I need a Google account to use my Chromebook after I reset it?

Yes. Chromebooks require a Google account to sign in and use the device. You can use any Google account—your personal one, a work one, or a new one you create during setup. Without a Google account, you cannot proceed past the login screen.

Will resetting my Chromebook remove Chrome extensions I installed?

Yes. All extensions are deleted during a factory reset. After you sign back in, you can reinstall them from the Chrome Web Store. If you remember which extensions you used, you can add them back one by one, or sign in to your Google account and Chrome will automatically reinstall extensions you had synced to your account.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

The reset itself takes 10 to 15 minutes from the moment you confirm the Powerwash until you're back at the login screen. The device will restart multiple times during this period. Don't interrupt it. After you sign back in and restore your settings and apps from your Google account, the whole process may take another 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed.