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If your Chromebook says “ChromeOS is missing or damaged” or cannot start ChromeOS, recovery reinstalls the operating system. It also permanently erases the Chromebook’s internal storage, including downloaded files. Back up anything you can access first; if the Chromebook still works, try a restart and then a factory reset before recovery.
Before you start: recovery erases local files
Google’s guidance is explicit: “Recovery removes and reinstalls the OS.” Recovery is not an ordinary restart. It permanently erases everything on the Chromebook’s hard drive, including downloaded files, so copy important files elsewhere first if you can. If the device is managed by your workplace or school, contact its administrator rather than attempting recovery yourself.
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Try less destructive steps first
If you can still use ChromeOS, restart the Chromebook. If the problem remains, try a factory reset before moving on to recovery. Google presents recovery as a later troubleshooting step for serious problems.
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Enter recovery mode
Disconnect peripherals such as a mouse or external hard drive before starting. The key combination depends on the device type:
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- Most Chromebooks: Hold Esc and Refresh, press Power, then release Power. When the recovery message appears, release Esc and Refresh.
- Some Chromebook models: Hold Esc and Maximize, press Power, then release Power. Release the other keys when the recovery message appears.
- Chromebook tablet: Hold Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power for at least 10 seconds.
- Chromebox: Turn it off. Use a paper clip or similar object to press and hold its recovery button, then turn it on. Release the button when the recovery message appears.
- Chromebit: Unplug it, press and hold its recovery button, then reconnect power.
For Google’s device-specific recovery instructions, see Recover your Chromebook.
Choose internet recovery or USB recovery
Recover over the internet
On supported newer Chromebooks, select Recover using internet connection on the recovery screen and follow the prompts. The Chromebook restarts when recovery is complete. If the option is absent, or you do not have an internet connection, use USB recovery if it is available for your model. Google notes that a missing internet-recovery option may mean the Chromebook is an older model that does not support it.
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Create and use USB recovery media
You need another Chromebook or a Windows or Mac computer with Chrome, the Chromebook Recovery Utility, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity. Creating recovery media erases the USB drive, so choose one whose contents you can safely delete.
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- On the working computer, open the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
- Select or enter the affected Chromebook’s model. Google says its model number is shown at the bottom of the error screen.
- Insert the USB flash drive, select it in the utility, and create the recovery media. The drive’s existing contents will be erased.
- On the affected Chromebook, choose Recover using external disk and follow the on-screen instructions.
Google also documents a Linux recovery-tool/script route on its recovery instructions page. After recovery, the USB drive remains recovery media. To use it for ordinary storage again, erase the media with Chromebook Recovery Utility’s erase-media function, then format it with your computer’s operating system. Erasing deletes the drive’s contents.
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Fix common recovery errors
| Message or problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| “An unexpected error has occurred” | Erase the recovery storage device and retry. If the error continues, try a different USB drive; some drives do not work well for recovery. |
| “Please remove all connected devices and start recovery” | Disconnect peripherals, then re-enter recovery mode. |
| “The device you inserted doesn’t contain ChromeOS” | Check that you inserted the drive used to create the recovery media. If it is the correct drive, it may be faulty; erase it and retry or use another USB drive. |
| Security-module error | Google directs users to the Chromebook Help forum. If the issue remains unresolved, contact the manufacturer for repair. |
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