Take Care of your
Chromebooks!
Troubleshooting tips
If your screen goes black
for no reason
If your chromebook isn't working well or app are not opening, watch this video for tips on how to update the Chrome OS and clear out your browsing History.
Remove yourself from your chromebook
Do this when your apps are not working correctly - First clear your history and update your chrome. If that doesn't fix it - try this. Warning: it will delete anything you downloaded to the device. It will not delete anything saved in Google Drive.
search for the camera to
make sure it's working
Click on the White Circle - and search for Camera. When camera pops up it should turn on. If it doesn't - contact Ms. Vassallo.
Free up storage space...
If your Chromebook is slow or running out of disk space, try the following fixes to free up space:
- Delete files you don’t need from your Chromebook. Remember that you can move files to Google Drive if you want more space.
- Clear your browsing data and download history.
- Uninstall apps you’re not using. Remember, you can always download the app again later.
Info from the GT TEch Support webpage
Technology Support
Home troubleshooting steps to try before contacting us – PLEASE TRY ALL THE BELOW STEPS FIRST AS MOST COMMON ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED WITH THESE QUICK TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS.
Completely power off the chromebook and restart. (If you can’t do it via the menu on the bottom right then hold down the power button until it shuts off – then restart)
If you have a black screen or if the chrome book just blacks out in the middle of use please try a “power refresh”
This can be performed by simultaneously holding down the ‘refresh’ and ‘power’ keys at the same time. You may need to try it plugged in and also unplugged, sometimes it takes a few tries to revive the unit. Please see the below picture for where the ‘refresh’ and ‘power’ keys are located.
ZOOM Crashes - Many districts are reporting some chromebooks either crashing to a black screen and not powering on or going to a blackscreen when teachers share their screen or students share their screen. There may even be issues starting the unit if this happens. Zoom is working on fixing these issues
If you have problems starting the chromebook, it crashes to a blackscreen from Zoom the best fix is as follows.
1) Hold the power button (upper right key on keyboard) firmly down for 10 seconds (it may even take 15 seconds)
2) Release the power button. Wait 3 seconds
3) Firmly press the power button and release
The chromebook should hopefully now startup
Ensure the chromebook has all the latest updates – when signed in click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) then click on the ‘gear’ icon. On the page that pops up click on “About chrome OS” then click “check for updates” The current OS version should be 87.0.4280.101 Please note on some older units you may need to run the update process multiple times to get to the latest version. After the update is complete, please remove the profile by signing out and then clicking the arrow in the upper right of the profile box and click remove. Completely shut down and restart the chrome book, then re-add the account. That will resolve many, if not most, software related issues.
If the student cannot sign in - Verify you are connected to your home or other available Wi-Fi before trying to sign in as the units will not accept a login without a connection to the internet. If you have issues connecting to your home Wi-Fi you will need to contact your internet provider for assistance in connecting the device.
Video Tutorial: Fixing Wi-Fi Connectivity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Y9DWkfDw4
If the student can sign in but they are still experiencing problems accessing the teacher’s google classrooms - Completely remove the profile by signing out and then clicking the arrow in the upper right of the profile box and click remove. Then re-add the account. Also verify with your students teacher that you have the correct codes to access their classroom and also that they have your student listed in their google classroom.
For sound issues - – when signed in click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) – ensure the speakers are not muted and adjust the volume slider to an appropriate level.
For camera issues – once signed in click the circle on the bottom left, then click ‘search device, apps, web…’ type in ‘camera’ and then click the camera icon. That will bring up the camera and you can verify if it is working.
For microphone issues – follow the steps above to bring up the camera app, then switch to video and record a short video while talking. If it is too low or you don’t hear anything when playing it back then click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) and then click on the arrow next to the speaker volume slider. That will bring up the audio setting where you can adjust the gain on the microphone.
Please note: Printing is not supported on student chromebooks.
The only workaround we can offer is to send what needs to be printed to a home device that is hooked to your printer. Another alternative is logging into chrome on the home device that can print and have the student print what they need from there.
If all the above steps do not resolve your problem please see Your School Librarian.
Cyber Awareness for Parents and Caregivers of School Age Children
As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to make it easier to connect low-income families to home Internet.
Broadband Options COVID-19
Acquiring Broadband for Students at Home
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai recently issued a release referencing the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.
Please click here for more information
Home troubleshooting steps to try before contacting us – PLEASE TRY ALL THE BELOW STEPS FIRST AS MOST COMMON ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED WITH THESE QUICK TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS.
Completely power off the chromebook and restart. (If you can’t do it via the menu on the bottom right then hold down the power button until it shuts off – then restart)
If you have a black screen or if the chrome book just blacks out in the middle of use please try a “power refresh”
This can be performed by simultaneously holding down the ‘refresh’ and ‘power’ keys at the same time. You may need to try it plugged in and also unplugged, sometimes it takes a few tries to revive the unit. Please see the below picture for where the ‘refresh’ and ‘power’ keys are located.
ZOOM Crashes - Many districts are reporting some chromebooks either crashing to a black screen and not powering on or going to a blackscreen when teachers share their screen or students share their screen. There may even be issues starting the unit if this happens. Zoom is working on fixing these issues
If you have problems starting the chromebook, it crashes to a blackscreen from Zoom the best fix is as follows.
1) Hold the power button (upper right key on keyboard) firmly down for 10 seconds (it may even take 15 seconds)
2) Release the power button. Wait 3 seconds
3) Firmly press the power button and release
The chromebook should hopefully now startup
Ensure the chromebook has all the latest updates – when signed in click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) then click on the ‘gear’ icon. On the page that pops up click on “About chrome OS” then click “check for updates” The current OS version should be 87.0.4280.101 Please note on some older units you may need to run the update process multiple times to get to the latest version. After the update is complete, please remove the profile by signing out and then clicking the arrow in the upper right of the profile box and click remove. Completely shut down and restart the chrome book, then re-add the account. That will resolve many, if not most, software related issues.
If the student cannot sign in - Verify you are connected to your home or other available Wi-Fi before trying to sign in as the units will not accept a login without a connection to the internet. If you have issues connecting to your home Wi-Fi you will need to contact your internet provider for assistance in connecting the device.
Video Tutorial: Fixing Wi-Fi Connectivity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Y9DWkfDw4
If the student can sign in but they are still experiencing problems accessing the teacher’s google classrooms - Completely remove the profile by signing out and then clicking the arrow in the upper right of the profile box and click remove. Then re-add the account. Also verify with your students teacher that you have the correct codes to access their classroom and also that they have your student listed in their google classroom.
For sound issues - – when signed in click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) – ensure the speakers are not muted and adjust the volume slider to an appropriate level.
For camera issues – once signed in click the circle on the bottom left, then click ‘search device, apps, web…’ type in ‘camera’ and then click the camera icon. That will bring up the camera and you can verify if it is working.
For microphone issues – follow the steps above to bring up the camera app, then switch to video and record a short video while talking. If it is too low or you don’t hear anything when playing it back then click on the bottom right (where the clock/battery/wireless icons are) and then click on the arrow next to the speaker volume slider. That will bring up the audio setting where you can adjust the gain on the microphone.
Please note: Printing is not supported on student chromebooks.
The only workaround we can offer is to send what needs to be printed to a home device that is hooked to your printer. Another alternative is logging into chrome on the home device that can print and have the student print what they need from there.
If all the above steps do not resolve your problem please see Your School Librarian.
Cyber Awareness for Parents and Caregivers of School Age Children
As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to make it easier to connect low-income families to home Internet.
- New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if you apply and are approved by December 31, 2020. After promotion, regular rates apply.
- For all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service has increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.
- Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. We are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by 12/31/20. After 12/31/20, standard eligibility rules apply.
Broadband Options COVID-19
Acquiring Broadband for Students at Home
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai recently issued a release referencing the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.
Please click here for more information