Chrome OS Missing or Damaged TroubleShooting Guide

Are you getting a Chrome OS Missing or Damaged error message when you turn on your chromebook? In today's video I will tell you how to troubleshoot and repair this issue.
You may not need to re-install the entire OS, sometimes this error can be fixed simply by powering off the chromebook and turning it back on or by performing a powerwash. A powerwash is like a soft reset of the chromebook.
In the video all the steps are there for you to follow along, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Chromebook OS Recovery Guide: support.google...
Chromebook OS Recovery Extension: chrome.google....

[@Valentine_ifee]

My Chromebook cannot enter in to developers mode after hitting ESC+ refresh+ power button... What is the cause?

[@janiraopenan1343]

Mine stays on the white screen with the logo on it and I don't know anymore what to do.

[@KyleLaFramboise]

Your info at 4:07 worked on 5 of my Chromebooks so far. Thank you!

[@nixonsmateruby1]

OMG!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM ENGLAND. I bought a Chromebook for my daughter, it's Christmas eve, decided to check it and it was blank, panic panic, KZbin GOOOOOOD.

[@Elena-sm2hv]

Just got mine! That error page came on. I did the esc/ refresh button and power button and it took me to WiFi connect page but it says my WiFi password is bad -_- I’m so stressed out .

[@Cotton_707]

My computer just goes back to the same screen

[@omaymatrabelsi8145]

Same here

[@omaymatrabelsi8145]

I did the usb drive multiple times

[@livybearful]

Same did you figure out how to fix

[@bilealiyyaakuvghh3134]

Same

[@curtconn8149]

Thanks. Finally a video that help me recover my Chrome that has set for over a year!

[@toddthreess9624]

Very helpful video. Lots of details. You got my system all fixed up!! Thanks buddy.

[@slamu01x]

Your instructions were very clear and extremely helpful! Thank you!!!!!

[@mrbojangles1391]

Had this error on my XE303 Model. This method nor Power Washing helped.Wound up throwing the Chromebook away.

[@nwhite3562]

Thank you. Had a laptop that had this problem about a year ago and forgot about it. Just recently remembered it and found your video to help out.

[@SaltySouthernMama]

your video saved my butt man, didnt need the other stuff, just did the power wash and boom.. fixed. didnt lose anything either. 🎉

[@brianmratemo7077]

I am trying the power wash but it's not working kindly assist

[@erinweatbrook3403]

I'm still getting the an unexpected error has occurred message

[@stacycooper199]

Your instructions walked me through the steps of rebooting the chrome os. Thank you.

[@AmbroseChamberpot]

Of the four different YT videos I happened to watch, this was the most helpful. Plus, how is this "a common issue?" Better Business Bureau please.

[@ladybethisrael0792]

I think that they want us to spend $$$ on storage packages...

[@somniatexox780]

I might just be stupid after watching this video but I'm currently on a screen that says Please insert a recovery USB or SD card and I don't have either I don't think and I don't have another Chromebook however I do have two windows one being a laptop and one being a pc and I'm still not sure what to do please could you help?

[@mondoguitar]

Any idea what I can try when after inserting a recovery USB or SD card, the only thing we see on a Lenovo S330 is a black screen? It never recovers.

[@carbonated_salt9645]

Same here it happened to a bunch of other people too Lenovo should do a recall if everyone is gonna get fucked over like this

[@Zakkery456]

When I hit the buttons to power wash then it comes back on I hit the Enter button but then it gives me the missing or damaged screen all over again. It doesn’t give me the Space Bar screen.😢

[@babagoob]

Nothing worked for me. I did the recovery steps and everything but when i plugged it into the chromebook on the Chrome OS missing or damaged screen nothing happens. I plugged it into all of the usb ports and nothing. I tried every yt video and nothing helped me

[@ChromebookLinuxGuides_OG]

Try esc+refresh+power Sends you to USB recovery menu

[@gsharks3333]

​@@ChromebookLinuxGuides_OGthis worked for me, thanks

[@ChromebookLinuxGuides_OG]

@@gsharks3333 no problemo bud

[@ChromebookLinuxGuides_OG]

@@gsharks3333 your uhh welcome

[@KyleRebstock]

I never make it to any screens that accept key bindings for powerwash or anything like that. it shows "your system is repairing, please wait," then it reboots and it does this on loop until I finally turn it off. To be clear my rom failed to copy to a new USB and I missed that, am I bricked?

[@deemyrekkas8539]

this was a lifesaver. thank you . i was able to fix my son's chromebook for school. excellent help.

[@TrentonsTech]

I'm glad it worked out for you!

[@sweravert]

after verifying the integrity of the recovery media it says an unexpected error has occurred. Please refer to this URL for troubleshooting tips

[@joanneoriaagpalo4206]

Thank you. This is very helpful. It happened now I just switched off and turned on the device and it was back to normal.

[@JonathanJmzM]

I insert the USB and it goes black but nothing happens

[@deborahroy5597]

I don't know how to Thank you for your Video..I'm 73 yr old n panicked when I saw my damaged screen. I did what u said n it was up n running..Thanks Again..💖😎

[@JustAndromeda]

Stopped my freak out, thank you!

[@waltch5711]

Please someone help me it doesnt work for me because when i plug my usb with the recovery tool nothing happens. It says "remove connected devices" but there is nothing connected. + The chrombook takes sometimes a long time to boot and sometimes its instant so idk what is going on.

[@tyasiahines5500]

Go to recover page by holding esc + refresh on the chrome book and it should take you to the page where it says to insert usb

[@mahfud_zaini]

My device cannot perform recovery. I have watched many videos but none of them worked. I have also taken it to the service center but still no success. I hope someone can help me.

[@heidilund8001]

Says chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please remove all connected devices and start recovery not sure if what you showed will help

[@user-fs4bd8ty2b]

I try everything and nothing. Still with network not available. I dont know what to do

[@user-yb2xh4bn8t]

when i insert the usb drive in either port on the chromebook - nothing happens.....I've left it powered on for 3 hours......nothing happens???

[@ajayiisaiah1703]

After restoring I couldn't sign in anymore due to the email signed on the chromebook, any help on this?

[@jazlynongy3007]

How do I do this without another laptop

[@teacherlynn671]

Thank you but can you tell me what size flash drive I need? Also what is the right way to take the flash drive out? Thanks again

[@ashleymillano7259]

Nothing happened when I press ctrl d. Please help 😭

[@JoeJoe-di4oj]

Did you find out what to do

[@kylemarshmallow]

@@JoeJoe-di4oj i’m wondering to

[@Lapis_Jude]

You press control d several times then power it off, then turn back on after waiting a minute

[@marciasweet7772]

My computer is not allowing me to install recovery utility on USB drive/ SD card..I keep getting a message that it is "unable to write to selected USB drive or SD Card". I went in and tried enabling and disabling the permissions, and I still got same error message. How do I get pass this?

[@Kingofthekop1]

The recovery image failed to download

[@kandancemcgee1801]

Thank you, you are a genius and a gift from God. Bless you!

[@johnphamlore8073]

Try pressing the TAB key if the Chromebook says missing OS, and the Chromebook might tell you exactly what the problem booting it is? If the message is that it can't find a bootable drive and your Chromebook has non-user replaceable SSD, then you might be in trouble economically repairing your machine.

[@ladybethisrael0792]

My laptop says 'No bootable kernel found on disk', do you know what that means? Thanks in advance.

[@tevinmorgan5022]

Mine says tpm error in read only firmware , any idea what that means?

[@ingridbaresen1756]

question, say you buy a chrome book at a yardsale and its a school one that don't let you do anything on it. Aside from just throwing it in the trash, is there a way to recover it? Would installing a new OS work?

[@Globoytre]

I got the error message again help?even after it said it was complete

[@israeljonasfirmino908]

I Wanna run win 10 on my ASUS C423N Chromebook by USB Disk? Can u help me? Have a lot dificult to do it, I can't locate the Whrite Protect. How can I do?

[@fredocommdesigns]

I would like to help me with my Acer Chromebook 14 can't install chrome os after formating it using Ubuntu

[@noemiegagnon2840]

I have to do the restauration every months now. Do you know why ? Is there a way to make the restauration to work longer ?

[@OleyoSharon]

Actually after verifying integrity of recovery media ,it brings a notification (an unexpected error has occurred please refer to URL troubleshooting tips), and the power was doesn't work at all

[@amoakooseibediako981]

Please I have the same problem I buy it I don't no I don't no what to do

[@terratherat]

Might've just been me being stupid and not seeing it in the video, but my chromebook (SQUAWKS D6A-F3F-A3B) just kinda rejects the installation? It gets to the point where it verifies the media, starts installing the OS, then it has an "Unexpected error." I've tried using an SD card instead of a USB but nothing. I don't know what to do, and fixing it is kinda important to me, so uh, help?

[@haleysmith6208]

I'm having this same issue. Were you able to resolve it? I've tried 4 different flash drives and nothing will work

[@terratherat]

@@haleysmith6208 Nope, guess we're both screwed huh?

[@madir.1045]

Yessss me too! I’ve tried several desktops and nothing!

[@altheabrady4128]

I had mine down for a couple months cause i didnt have a charger i bought one but now its showing me the Chrome OS is missing?

[@Mary-vh3ct]

How can you stop internal security from snatching the power and toolbar and every password on account?

[@lolak7438]

So far so good. I'm at 'Creating A Recovery Image' but just before that the screen on my HP Laptop darkened and a window came up saying 'Do You Want To Allow Changes Made Tp This Computer' so I clicked 'Yes'. Was that right? You didn't mention that coming up in this video. Please let me know if I should not have done that. Otherwise- this is a GREAT tutorial- Thanks!

[@gyroscope_soap]

I am on Chromebook and accidentally pressed esc, refresh, power, How do I fix it (I'm charging rn and hoping it will get me out of this, it said it was in recovery and now it won't charge so I'm connected to the wifi and charging,. Writing this from my broken phone)

[@ggstar2505]

i did it but its just not working and when i plug the usb is say the security moduel is not working

[@MrSaeedted]

Thanks for making this video. I feel like I am gonna need it when I add a new SSD to my Chromebox CN60

[@thebookofchrome]

Your welcome!

[@ksk5517]

I followed the instructions from this video verbatim, but during the flash drive process (time stamp: 13:50), I get a message that an error has occurred. I tried the same process multiple times and used different flash drives, but still getting the error message. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[@tyleekmiller8263]

Did you get an answer or did you find a solution yourself

[@ksk5517]

@@tyleekmiller8263 Not working yet. I sort of gave up. Thanks.

[@tyleekmiller8263]

@ksk5517 looks like I'm going to have to do the same thing

[@candyssweetescape9966]

hi i tried using sd card but it says device doesn't contain chrome os.. i completely download everything

[@Krachuken]

The screen dies after it comes with the error page. Could it be due to a charger contact issue.

[@osamaalhag3120]

What is the solution to the problem: Your device is locked for CarmoBook?

[@brockreyes2792]

Aloha, I am unable to get the chromebook out "chromeos verification is off"... ctrl d does not work at any stage, no option to click on spacebar

[@brockreyes2792]

After I use esc, refresh and power.. I get the screen saying insert a recovery USB stick or SD card, I put in a USB stick with the recovery loaded, the next screen shows progress bar etc and a message below that the chomeos verification is off... as mentioned before, no combination of keys bring me to or back to a screen giving me the option to turn it off or take it out of developer's mode...

[@brockreyes2792]

What would cause this option not to be there, and or how would I go about bringing it back, I've tried unplugging the battery inside the case for 10 mins.... after the verifying integrity screen finishes and I'm prompted to remove the USB and my chrome book will restart... it just shuts off, comes back on to a black screen for a few seconds and goes blank... I also don't know how to get into the DOS version that chrome book has to try to alter the "Chromeos verification is turned off" via that method... please help, any new ideas are welcome... this happened on another identical Acer Chrome book 315 and the USB stick I am using for both of these worked when the issue arose on that laptop a little over a month ago

[@tempiebaccus]

Dude you're sick wit it! Thank you! 😮😮😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@BloodyDeadCat]

Is there a way that I can put windows 10 on it from the missing or damaged state

[@amarawalker3940]

What happens if it goes back to the original page?

[@amarawalker3940]

Once you hit control +D

[@oliviadevooghtjohnson8192]

this happened with me, even after it successfully downloaded the recovery utility

[@ReactionBoy54]

My screen not changing only chrome os is missing and damaged please remove all connected device and start recovery pls solve my problem 😢😢😢❤❤

[@Spencedivine]

I did all of that and it still wasn’t working

[@kathy8416]

Mine isn’t letting me click anything g. I’ve followed all your steps. The only thing g I am able to change is the language that’s it

[@vanne4404]

My goodness ty so much it worked I appreciate this video 😁

[@tristanleonce699]

thanks man u deserve more subs

[@thebookofchrome]

Your Welcome! I’m glad it helped

[@faviogc31]

Can you powerwash a business Chromebook to unenroll and then have it for personal use???

[@drill.23]

Thanks for your tip its helped too much 🎉

[@charlespercy-qp8ug]

Thanks buddy it helped I didn’t have to recover my chrome os I did what you said thank you again

[@thebookofchrome]

Im glad it worked out for you!

[@user-os1od8jp1p]

i missing my files, settings and i can't open apps . plz help me and my laptop storege is also fulli can only open google chrome

[@von8295]

Same here. Did you get it fixed?

[@scotttyner1044]

Everything works until I plug the formatted SD card into the chromebook - now I’m getting “the security module on this device is not working” - anything to help troubleshoot this?

[@thebookofchrome]

Power on the Chromebook. Leave on for at least 30 seconds. Don’t do anything. Power off the Chromebook. (You can hold down the power button until all of the lights turn off) Repeat You may have to do this up to 25 times, I'm not sure why but its the only answer I could find on it.

[@prob.chris_]

Mine said "An unexpected error has occurred" what do I do

[@keithlove636]

My chroombook keeps on a reboot loop and never stops what to next

[@sandyjensen6733]

i did all the steps as advised. i created a new flash drive, inserted it, it verified info like your video. then it stopped and message unexpected error has occurred and then all it does is buffer. what should i do now. replaced the power supply. what now?

[@thebookofchrome]

Are you using a another laptop or a desktop to create the recovery drive?

[@sandyjensen6733]

Yes another Chromebook. In fact I created 2 I thought maybe there was something wrong with the first one. Could it have something to do with my battery? I was on direct power supply.

[@thebookofchrome]

As long as you have the Chromebook plugged in you should be able to restore it even if you had a bad battery, the power from the power adapter would be enough for it to operate When you chose the chromebook model, did you select the manufacturer and model for the chromebook you are trying to restore?

[@sandyjensen6733]

I used the info provided on the screen wit the no OS message. Is something else I need

[@sandyjensen6733]

Should I contact Lenovo to verify if that info provided is correct

[@inawilliams161]

I don't have a computer. Can I use a laptop or tablet

[@7scorpiosign85]

It say to put on laptop update browser

[@judeprotheroe1194]

Thanks so much brought a new one and that popped up

[@Elena-sm2hv]

Hey, I just bought mine yesterday and that popped up as well. The first method worked for me but now for whatever reason it won’t connect to WiFi :/. It says “bad password”. Did yours work, or did you have to return it?

[@SpnBer104]

Hi! I just want to know how the play store works nowadays on a Chromebook device? Thank you.

[@thebookofchrome]

Yes it does

[@txman9000]

Thank you sir!!!!!!

[@user-wx8si4im9c]

Why does this do this? Son used the chromebook twice?

[@OlwethuMakhohliso-gl8df]

Am failing to download the software to usb

[@Ineedsumrandom]

I was in school one day and during lunch my computer died so in sixth period i plugged it in and turned it on and it gave me that screen. So i took it to the IT guys and they couldnt fixed it and belived that i broke it. So i was charged $500 And Suspension For Breaking a chromebook.

[@candyssweetescape9966]

i inserted the usb nothing happens

[@ADS6CREW]

I insert my usb but don't work

[@kinglaffey8174]

Youre a King, thankyou

[@naomidavis5846]

How long I have to wait for it to reboot

[@leneaziona5079]

Is there audio to this vid?

[@shadeiquechase2642]

Nothing happened after “control + D”.

[@arejaz21111]

Im trying to fix acer chromebook (1st time ever touching one) while watching this and acer is very confusing. On sticker it says model number but chrome wont recognise it. Model shown on error screen also wasn't recognised, but i just accidentally hit space (where i type model) and then model number on screen got recogzised and on sticker it's called series, not actual model, in manual model selection it didn't show anything similar, but downloading os now and it shows acer chromebook spin311 (with serie number) really confusing. Also powerwash did't help, other combo buttons didn't work on acer chromebook. But without your video i wouldn't be able to do anything at all. But one thing for sure, Why in the world did they make such a useless thing? Lenovo Thinkpads are really reliable windows laptops with really great battery life and quite fast processing speed and it's budget laptop.

[@alyanali4767]

Thank you sir

[@tracikamish4159]

Thank you.

[@hopebetterfuture9698]

My problem is that I can't find the Wi-fi Even when I turned it on.❗

[@rrotwang]

Thank you

[@Maniacguy2777]

Esc + refresh + power button doesn’t work

[@AndrewTillman-vq8zr]

Ty, you are a Tech!

[@anitablanco7309]

I tried to do what you did, but my chrome book just didn't show the "Welcome to Chromebook. " It just stuck to chrome logo.

[@sarah1325]

Here also! If you found a solution please help me out 🥲

[@anitablanco7309]

@@sarah1325 I didn't find a solution.

[@sarah1325]

Me neither, I just took my loss and bought another one 🙌🏻

[@Elena-sm2hv]

The first one worked for me but now it doesn’t connect me to WiFi. It says “bad password” 😢. Update: it works with the WiFi at work! So I’m sure it’s something with the WiFi at home. I’ll have to re-set the WiFi at home.

[@lenleangztechnology3347]

তোমাকে অনেক ধন্যবাদ. ভিডিও শেয়ার করার জন্য

[@Alaster_Grimlock]

For some reason I can't download it onto my drive. I have a 25 GB drive

[@micahw8506]

same when i am installing it the tab crashes

[@iyahwehjackson]

mine didnt work