How to Update Chromebook

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How to Update a Chromebook: Overview

Chromebooks are quite popular because they are affordable and easy to use. Chrome OS, in contrast, focuses on simplicity, meaning Chromebooks virtually require no maintenance. However, like any other operating system, Chrome OS receives scheduled updates.

Updates are crucial because they enhance the security of your device and address bugs. Additionally, you can expect new features when your Chromebook is updated. Chromebooks have an amazing feature whereby, upon being turned on, they automatically check for updates.

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So, when your Chromebook downloads an update, you will see an arrow next to your Google Account photo in the bottom-right corner of your screen. To install the update, click on the arrow, and you will be prompted to restart your device.

But what if you’d like to update your Chromebook manually? There’s no need to worry; we will outline the steps to manually update your Chromebook and what to do if your Chromebook has problems installing downloaded updates.

How Do You Know That It’s Time to Update Your Chromebook

Chrome OS checks for updates and will download them routinely in the background. So, if you normally restart your Chromebook occasionally, your updates are automatically done.

Suppose you don’t restart your device regularly. In that case, you’ll see a pop-up notification indicating that an update is available or an orange circle with an arrow inside on the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook’s display.

Suppose you’re using your Chromebook in school or at work. In that case, you will see one of two colors: orange to indicate that the update is needed (usually for security patches) or blue to indicate that the update is optional. If you click the icon with the circle inside, you will be prompted to restart your Chromebook to install the downloaded updates.

How Can You Manually Update Chrome OS?

Chrome OS constantly checks for and downloads updates. However, if you want to install an update as soon as it’s released, follow these steps:

The steps may vary depending on the specific Chromebook model and version of Chrome OS. It is recommended that you consult the official Chromebook support documentation.

Start by clicking on the time icon at the bottom-right end of your display.

A pop-out menu will appear, and you’ll need to click on “Settings,” represented by a gear icon in the menu. Chromebook settings will appear.

Tip: You can also access Chromebook settings by clicking on the ‘Everything button’ and entering ‘Settings’ in the dialogue box.

Next, click on ‘About Chrome OS,’ located on your screen’s left side. If your device is running an older version of Chrome OS, you might need to start by clicking on the icon with ‘three horizontal lines’ in the upper-left corner of the settings section.

The ‘About Chrome OS’ menu should appear. Then click on ‘Check for Updates.’

Chrome OS will then check to see if any updates are available for your Chromebook. If any updates are found, they will be downloaded.

Once the updates have been downloaded, press the ‘Restart’ icon.

It’s also worth noting that you can receive updates from the ‘Beta Channel’ if you wish. By default, your Chromebook is set to the ‘Stable Channel.’ You can search for the’ Chromium Projects’ page to learn more about the various channels

and what they are.

Using beta allows you to test new features on your Chromebook before they are officially released. However, be aware that these ‘builds’ are intended for software developers and coders. Therefore, staying on the ‘Stable Channel’ is the safest bet because you won’t have to deal with the frequent instability issues and app crashes that Beta updates often include.

What Can You Do If Your Chromebook Update Isn’t Installed

Chrome OS updates typically download and install smoothly. However, if you’re experiencing issues with updates, here are a few solutions you can try to fix the problem.

Turn your Chromebook off and then boot it up again to see if it refreshes the update process.
Check if your Wi-Fi connection is stable. If not, you can switch to another network or figure out why your connection is experiencing problems.
If you’re not successful after a few attempts to download and install updates, try resetting your Chromebook. As a last resort, you can factory reset your Chromebook with the “Powerwash” feature.
If all else fails, take your Chromebook to an approved repair technician.

Final Thoughts

In summary, updating your Chromebook is straightforward if you follow the steps outlined above. However, you will most likely not need to manually update your Chromebook, especially if it’s relatively new; Chrome OS typically updates itself automatically.