Chromebook Running Slow

Insufficient storage space can significantly impact the performance of your Chromebook. While Chromebooks are marketed as a cloud-based solution, they do have an internal storage system where you can store files locally. Ideally, you would want to ensure that the number of files you keep does not exceed 80% of your total disk space. To check your local storage, check the following.

1. Click on the system tray.
2. Select the gear icon to open the Settings menu
3. Go to Storage. Ensure that you have enough free space available.

Consider deleting unnecessary files or offloading them to an external storage device or Google Drive if the storage is nearly complete. You can also remove unused User Accounts from the device to free up storage space.

Note: While the actual Google Account or any information connected to this account — like bookmarks — won't be deleted, files that are stored on your Chromebook will be deleted.

One of the reasons that your Chromebook could be running slowly could be due to several different issues caused by the operating system.

• Potential Issue caused by Cached Data: If a cached file becomes corrupted, or enough of them are stored, then it can cause your system to become slow. You can clear your browsing data by following the below steps.
  • Open Settings: Click on the system tray and the gear-shaped "Settings" icon to open the Chromebook settings.
  • Expand "Advanced": Scroll down and click on the "Advanced" section to reveal additional settings.
  • Click on "Privacy and Security": Under the Advanced section, click "Privacy and Security" to access related settings.
  • Click on "Clear Browsing Data": In the Privacy and Security section, click "Clear Browsing Data" to open the data clearing options.
• Outdated Operating System: You can check if your operating system is outdated by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for Updates. Install any available updates. Updates often include bug fixes and often contain performance improvements for your operating system.

Disabling or removing unnecessary extensions can significantly improve the speed and performance of your Chromebook. Each extension you have installed on your Chromebook consumes system resources such as CPU, memory, and disk space. You can check and disable your extensions by doing the following.

1. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome browser.
2. Go to More Tools > Extensions.
3. Disable or remove any unnecessary or unused extensions that might consume system resources and slow down your Chromebook.

Some extensions run continuously in the background and collectively contribute to increased resource usage, which can slow down your Chromebook. Disabling or removing unnecessary extensions can reduce the overall resources consumed, allowing your device to allocate its resources more efficiently.

ChromeOS is designed to be secure and virtually immune to viruses. However, they are still very susceptible to malware, which can cause issues with processing speeds. This is why it's always a good idea to ensure your device is free from malware or unwanted software by doing the following.

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings and scroll down to the Privacy and Security section.
4. Click on Security.
5. Under the Security section, click on Check for malicious software.

You can also factory reset your device by performing a Powerwash. Ideally, you would want to save your data onto an external USB storage device or Google Drive before doing this, as this will reset the computer to the factory default state.

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Click on the account picture or initials in the bottom-right corner.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Scroll down and click on Advanced.
5. Under the Reset settings section, click on Powerwash.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the powerwash process.

Performing a powerwash can help resolve more complex issues, including persistent performance problems, software conflicts, or system errors.

Note: Powerwashing will erase all your data, so it's crucial to back up any important files before proceeding.

In some cases, disabling hardware acceleration can resolve performance issues. Go to Settings > Advanced > System > Use hardware acceleration when available and toggle it off.

If all else fails, then you might need to Powerwash your device. You can do this in a few ways, but the easiest way of Powerwashing your Chromebook is with the instructions below.

Note: This will factory reset your device, so be sure to back up all your data to either Google Drive or an external storage device.

Additional information on Powerwashing your device can be found here.

1. Sign out of your Chromebook by clicking on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen and selecting Sign Out. (You'll need to be at the login screen.)
2. Press the following key combination on the login screen: Ctrl + Shift + Alt + R Twice.
3. A dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to Powerwash your Chromebook. Click on the Powerwash button to continue.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Powerwash process. Your Chromebook will be factory reset.
5. After the Powerwash is complete, your Chromebook will start as if it were a new device. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Chromebook, including connecting to a WiFi network and signing in with your Google Account. Once this is done, check if you can use your USB devices.

Alternatively, you can completely restore ChromeOS using Google's ChromeOS Recovery Tool. This tool can address any potential software issues causing your device to have trouble seeing your USB devices. The instructions for creating a ChromeOS recovery disk are below, but an in-depth guide can be found here. An empty USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage is required.

1. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility Extension: Open Google Chrome and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility Extension from the Chrome Web Store. Click on the extension and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Prepare Chromebook for Recovery: Turn off your Chromebook and ensure it's connected to a power source. Press the Esc + Refresh (F3) keys simultaneously, then press the Power button. Release the Power button when the Chromebook starts, but continue holding Esc+ Refresh until you see a screen prompting you to insert the recovery disk.
3. Recover ChromeOS: Insert the previously created recovery disk into your Chromebook and follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the ChromeOS recovery process. This will reinstall the operating system and can resolve software-related problems that may be causing the black screen issue.
4. Follow System Setup: After completing ChromeOS recovery, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Chromebook as you would during the initial setup. Check if you can use your USB device.