How to Factory Reset Your Chromebox (Powerwash)

Performing a factory reset on your Chromebox will erase all local data, such as settings and files stored on the device. This action will restore your Chromebox to its original factory state. Before proceeding, ensure you back up any important data to Google Drive or another external storage solution.

Step-by-Step Guide to Factory Reset Your Chromebox

1. Sign out of your Chromebox

   • Make sure you are signed out of all accounts on your Chromebox. You can sign out by clicking on the time in the lower-right corner of the screen, then selecting Sign out.

2. Initiate the Reset Command

   • Press and hold the following key combination on your keyboard:
     [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [Shift] + [r]
   • This will bring up the reset screen.

3. Restart Your Chromebox

   • After pressing the key combination "[Ctrl] + [Alt] + [Shift] + [r]", a dialog box will appear with the option to restart your Chromebox.
   • Select (Restart) to reboot the device.

4. Select Powerwash

   • Once your Chromebox restarts, another dialog box will appear, asking if you would like to reset the device.
     Select (Powerwash), then click (Continue).

5. Sign in with Your Google Account

   • After the Powerwash process is complete, you will be prompted to sign in with a Google Account. The first Google Account you use to sign in will become the owner account for the Chromebox. Make sure to use the account you intend to manage the device with.

Post-Reset Setup

Once you've successfully reset your Chromebox:

1. Follow the On-Screen Instructions
   • You will be guided through a setup process. Follow the instructions to configure the language, Wi-Fi, and additional preferences for your Chromebox.
2. Check if the Problem is Resolved
   • If you were experiencing issues before the reset, such as performance problems or software glitches, check whether the issue has been resolved.

Important Notes:

• A factory reset will remove all files stored on your Chromebox. If you need those files, make sure to back them up before proceeding.
• After the reset, you will need to re-install any apps or extensions you were using.

This should help get your Chromebox back to optimal working condition.  For more information from Google, you can review their Help Article.