How to Fix Chromebook White Screen Issues?

Connect your Chromebook to an external display to determine if the white screen issue is related to hardware damage. If the external display works fine, the built-in screen may be defective. In this case, contact your Chromebook manufacturer or visit a repair shop for inspection and possible repair or replacement.

If the white screen issue persists on both displays, try the following troubleshooting fixes.

Step 1. Wait It Out

Software update failures can lead to startup problems on Chromebooks. If your device won’t boot after an update, it might be due to incomplete or incorrect installation. Some manufacturers suggest waiting up to 30 minutes to allow the device to finish installing updates and move past the white screen. Chrome OS update automatically brings photos from Android to your Chromebook. If the issue persists after 30 minutes, proceed with the troubleshooting fixes below.

Step 2. Unplug or Remove External Devices

As noted earlier, external devices—especially those connected via USB such as thumb drives, SD cards, or external hard drives—can interfere with your Chromebook’s startup process. To address this issue, first, power off your Chromebook and disconnect any external devices plugged into the USB ports. After removing these devices, turn your Chromebook back on and allow it some time to boot up. If the white screen problem continues despite these steps, it may be necessary to perform a hardware reset. This process involves further troubleshooting to identify and resolve the issue.

Step 3. Reset Your Chromebook’s Hardware

For some users, performing a hardware reset has resolved white screen issues on Chromebooks. A hardware reset, also known as a “hard reset,” restarts the Chromebook’s internal hardware components, such as the keyboard, screen, and touchpad. This action can help fix system glitches that might be preventing your Chromebook from booting properly.

The procedure for a hardware reset can differ depending on your Chromebook’s model or hardware setup.

• To reset the hardware on Chromebook laptops:

1. Power off your Chromebook and wait for 30 seconds to ensure it is completely turned off.
2. Press and hold the Refresh key, then press the b button. Release the Refresh key when your Chromebook starts up and displays the recovery screen.

Alternatively, you can use the Back + Refresh + Power keyboard shortcut. Turn off your Chromebook and press and hold all three buttons for at least 10 seconds to complete the hardware reset.

• Reset Hardware on 2-in-1 Chromebooks

For 2-in-1 Chromebooks, which function as both tablets and laptops, the hardware reset process involves the following steps: Turn off the device and wait for 30 seconds to ensure it is fully powered down. Then, press and hold both the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously for at least ten seconds. Release the buttons when the Chromebook tablet begins to start up.

• Reset Hardware on Chromebooks with Removable Batteries

For Chromebooks equipped with removable batteries, you can reset the hardware by removing and reinserting the battery. Start by unplugging the power cable and taking out the battery. Wait for 15-30 seconds before reinserting the battery. Power on your Chromebook to see if it successfully boots past the white screen.

• Reset Chromebook Hardware Using the Reset Button

Older Samsung Chromebook models, such as the Series 5 and Series 5 550, feature a dedicated reset button typically hidden in a small hole on the bottom case. To perform a hardware reset using this button, Reset a Chromebook Using Shortcut Key or Settings. follow these steps:

1. Power off your Chromebook and disconnect the power adapter. Wait for 30 seconds to ensure it’s fully powered down.
2. Use a SIM ejector pin or a paperclip to press into the hole containing the reset button. You should feel a click as you press the button.
   
3. While holding the pin or paperclip in place, reconnect the power adapter.
4. Press the Power button to turn on your Chromebook.
5. Release the pin or paperclip once your Chromebook begins to restart.

This process helps to reset the internal hardware and can resolve issues such as the white screen problem.

Step 4. Perform System Recovery

If you encounter a persistent white screen issue on your Chromebook, performing a system recovery can resolve problems related to ChromeOS corruption. This process factory resets your Chromebook, reinstalls ChromeOS, and wipes all data on the device, including downloads, apps, settings, and personal files. Fix chrome OS flex WiFi network not showing.

To begin, you need to create a USB recovery media using another Chromebook, or a Windows or Mac computer. Refer to our tutorial on using the Chromebook Recovery Utility to make this recovery media. Once you have the USB recovery media, follow these steps to reset your Chromebook:

1. 1. Turn off your Chromebook and disconnect all external accessories from the USB ports.
   2. Insert the USB recovery media into your Chromebook.
   3. Enter Recovery Mode:
      • • Press and hold the Refresh + Esc keys, then press the Power button.
        • For some models, press and hold the Maximize + Esc keys, then press the Power button. Release the Maximize and Esc keys once your device enters recovery mode.

      

      • On 2-in-1 Chromebook tablets, press and hold the Volume Up + Volume Down, + Power keys for at least ten seconds. Release the buttons when the Chromebook boots into recovery mode.

      Your Chromebook should automatically detect the USB recovery media and display a message saying “External disk with recovery image detected.” Ensure your Chromebook remains connected to a power source during the recovery process.

      

   4. Complete the Recovery: Once you see the “Recovery is now complete” message, remove the USB recovery media. Your Chromebook will restart.
   5. Set Up Your Chromebook: After the restart, select “Get started” to begin setting up your device again.

Note: Work or school Chromebooks managed by an administrator cannot be reset or recovered by users. Contact your administrator for assistance with resetting and re-enrolling your Chromebook on your organization’s network.

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