A Powerwash resets a Chromebook to its factory state, wiping local data and settings while keeping ChromeOS itself installed. It’s the standard fix for a Chromebook that’s about to be sold, returned, handed to someone else, or stuck with a software problem other troubleshooting hasn’t solved.
Before You Start
- Back up anything stored locally — Powerwash erases all local files, downloads, and app data. Files already in Google Drive are unaffected.
- Make sure you know the Google account password you’ll sign back in with, since the device asks for it again during setup.
- If the Chromebook is enrolled by a school or employer, Powerwash won’t remove that enrollment — it reapplies automatically once the device reconnects to the internet.
Method 1: Powerwash from Settings
- Click the time in the bottom-right corner, then the gear icon to open Settings.
- Go to Advanced > Reset settings in the left sidebar.
- Click Powerwash, then Restart in the dialog that appears.
- After the restart, click Powerwash again to confirm, then sign back in with your Google account once setup finishes.
Method 2: Powerwash from the Sign-In Screen
- From the login screen, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.
- Click Restart in the dialog that appears.
- Click Powerwash, then Continue to confirm.
This method is useful when the Chromebook won’t load past the sign-in screen, or a broken profile is preventing normal sign-in.
Powerwash vs. a Recovery USB
Powerwash only resets ChromeOS settings and local data; it doesn’t reinstall the operating system itself. If Powerwash won’t complete, keeps failing, or the Chromebook won’t even reach the sign-in screen to trigger it, a recovery USB reinstalls ChromeOS from scratch instead, which fixes problems a standard reset can’t.
Still Not Working?
If Powerwash gets stuck partway through or loops back to the same error, that usually points to a deeper software issue rather than something Powerwash itself can fix, and a recovery USB is the next step. If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t respond at all, check that Guest Mode isn’t currently active, since the shortcut only works from the actual sign-in screen, not inside a guest session.
FAQ
Does Powerwash remove a school or work administrator’s control?
No. Enrolled devices reapply their management policy automatically as soon as they connect to the internet after the reset, the same as before.
Do I need my password to Powerwash?
No password is needed to start a Powerwash from either the Settings menu or the sign-in screen shortcut. You will need your Google account password afterward to sign back in during setup.
How long does a Powerwash take?
The reset itself usually finishes in one to two minutes. Setting the Chromebook back up and reinstalling any Android apps afterward takes longer, depending on how much was installed before.
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