Chromebook Not Charging? Here’s How to Fix It

A Chromebook that won’t charge is usually not a dead battery. It is almost always a stuck charging controller, and there is a simple reset that clears it up most of the time.

Try a Basic Power Reset First

1. Unplug the charger from both the wall outlet and the Chromebook.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Plug the charger into the Chromebook first, then into the wall outlet.
4. Check for a charging light near the port. It may be white, orange, or another color depending on your model.
5. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes before turning the Chromebook on.

If you don’t see a charging light at all, try a different wall outlet and double check the cable for any visible damage.

Still Not Charging? Try a Hard Reset

With the charger unplugged, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds, then let go. Plug the charger back in and see if charging starts.

Last Resort: Reset the Embedded Controller

Note: This resets a small chip that manages power and charging. It will not erase any files or settings, so it is safe to try.

1. Turn the Chromebook off completely.
2. Plug the charger into the Chromebook and into the wall.
3. Press and hold the Refresh key (the circular arrow, usually where F3 would be) and the Power button at the same time.
4. Release both keys once the Chromebook powers on.

This is the same trick that fixed charging on early Chromebooks, including Google’s original Cr-48 pilot model from 2010, and it still works on current Chromebooks because most models still use a similar embedded controller for charging.

Quick Tips

• Always connect the charger to the Chromebook before plugging it into the wall.
• Use the charger that came with your Chromebook, or a USB-C charger rated for at least 45W, if your model charges over USB-C.
• If nothing here works, the charging port or battery itself may have failed, and it’s worth contacting your manufacturer’s support.

Most charging problems come down to a stuck controller, not a broken battery. Try the basic reset first, and work your way down the list if it doesn’t catch right away.