r/chromeos Feb 05 '26

Announcement Small update/clarification to our rules on AI

Upvotes

Hello all,

Just wanted to share a clarification, and expansion of our rules about AI generated posts and comments on r/chromeOS.

First off, a reminder that responding to support requests on this subreddit with responses directly generated from any LLM has been not allowed under Rule 8: Effort Must be Made When Requesting and Providing Help for over a year now.

The fact is, most people come to r/chromeOS to speak to people. If people wanted to get answers from LLMs, they're accessible enough that people could ask them themselves. It just seems like a slap in the face to come for help and to just get a lazy response from someone who copy/pasted a (usually incorrect) response from Gemini or another LLM, which the poster could have done themselves if they wanted.

In addition, recently there's been a lot of misinformation being posted on the subreddit about recent changes to ChromeOS, updates about both ChromeOS and the upcoming AluminiumOS, and new devices, usually only crediting Gemini as a source. There has also been plenty of AI-generated reviews and self promo (the latter primarily posted by bots).

In general, while I know it seems like we’ve been sleeping as mods (yes, we’ve seen the reports calling us out on that), we would still like to try our best to try and keep this community higher quality.

We’ve decided that due to this, we wanted to officially expand this rule to include all posts and comments generated by AI. This rule primarily has LLMs in mind.

This does not include discussion about AI features being built into ChromeOS. Discussion of AI features being built into the OS is allowed.


r/chromeos Mar 07 '24

Announcement Announcement - "chrultrabook" posts, AKA regarding attempting to put Windows or another OS onto your Chromebook, will no longer be allowed.

Upvotes

Hey there!

In short, as of today, this subreddit will be removing and redirecting posts that seek advice on replacing the operating system on your Chromebook.

In the past these posts were allowed with a disclaimer that better support would likely be found elsewhere, such as r/chultrabook and their associated communities. However that subreddit is now archived and they now only provide support on their forum.

Since then there has been a rise in posts like this here, and we're simply not equipped to provide meaningful support. We've received lots of feedback over the past few months and the general consensus was that everyone is better served if these posts are now permanently directed elsewhere.

To be clear, we are not discouraging anyone from attempting this process; it's still cool, (potentially) fun and can unlock more utility from your device! The only change is that posts seeking support for this will be removed.

Thanks for understanding!


Helpful Links


r/chromeos 9h ago

Discussion Um I either have a major issue with my thermals or Chrome forgot a decimal point somewhere…..

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🔥😳🔥


r/chromeos 7h ago

Troubleshooting HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook

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I have a used 16/256 GB that I picked up on eBay. Great device but I cannot seem to get the fingerprint scanner to work? Any ideas? Thanks!


r/chromeos 12h ago

Troubleshooting Error message when attempting to open files using linux apps

Upvotes

If I attempt to open files in the Files app using a linux app, I receive an error message.

For example, if I right click on a photo and choose Open with Eye of Gnome, it displays "No images found in “file:///mnt/chromeos/GoogleDrive/MyDrive/IMG_20170409_114222.jpg”. If I choose Open with Ristretto, it displays "Some files could not be opened: see the text logs for details".

I suspect this is because Google has moved everything to /mnt/chromeos/shared. If this is the cause, why did Google not realise this broke linux apps?

Edit: Also, linux apps won't launch until I've open the terminal to start linux. It's very frustrating.

Edit 2: So I've realised that this occurs due to ChromeOS using Baguette instead of the traditional linux container. I set the following flag to disabled, removed Crostini, restarted, and then reinstalled Crostini. Problem solved. Experimental support for Crostini without LXD containers (aka Baguette) – ChromeOS [#crostini-containerless](chrome://flags/#crostini-containerless)


r/chromeos 15h ago

Troubleshooting APK install ,can't seem to get this right at all

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Trying to install apk but getting no devices/emulators found,any ideas where I'm going wrong

Edit-now saying no devices/ emulators found

Edit-solved


r/chromeos 22h ago

Buying Advice Chromebook viable?

Upvotes

Hey guys, I’ve switched to a salary role in management and I’ll mainly be using like 10 browser tabs and teams app / teams meetings/video calls once a week

We use a lot of .pdf files, .xlsx, and .xlsb files.

I won’t really need to use excel on the desktop, at most I will need to download the .xlsb/.xlsx file locally onto the desktop then, without really needing to open it, I need to upload it to our local Teams app for my team to edit online.

I’ll probably keep just a few .pdf files and document files but not a lot locally on my computer. Maybe 1-5 maximum excel files to keep locally but will mainly work on the web browser version.

I’m totally ignorant about ChromeOS. I went to walmart and I tried running hotscheudles in it and it was beautiful. I loved the simplicity and the 16:10 resolution ratio.

I would like a Chromebook for work since I need something light for work without needing a dedicated heavy work laptop like a Dell Latitude / Thinkpad.

I believe Chrome can handle 95% of my non-complicated workload, but I am afraid I may not run the last 5% (mainly excel local files)

any clarification would be lovely! I genuinely would like a Chromebook


r/chromeos 20h ago

Troubleshooting ChromeOS Login Error: "Could not mount cryptohome" after remote password change

Upvotes

Google password was changed remotely via a smartphone while the Chromebook was signed out/locked for a while. Now when I try the new password the pc goes "Could not mount cryptohome": the Chromebook successfully initiates two-factor authentication (2FA), the prompt appears on the phone and is approved, however, immediately after verification, ChromeOS fails to unlock the local partition and throws the error "Could not mount cryptohome".

The system appears stuck in a state where online account verification passes, but the local encryption key (cryptohome) fails to decrypt or update. Attempting to enter the old password directly is rejected.


r/chromeos 21h ago

Troubleshooting Error message when attempting to open files using linux apps

Upvotes

I just installed ChromeOS Flex onto a Dell Latitude 7390. If I attempt to open files in the Files app using a linux app, I receive an error message.

For example, if I right click on a photo and choose Open with Eye of Gnome, it displays "No images found in “file:///mnt/chromeos/GoogleDrive/MyDrive/IMG_20170409_114222.jpg”. If I choose Open with Ristretto, it displays "Some files could not be opened: see the text logs for details".

I suspect this is because Google has moved everything to /mnt/chromeos/shared. If this is the cause, why did Google not realise this broke linux apps?


r/chromeos 1d ago

AluminiumOS Googlebooks are going to victims of timing.

Upvotes

I think the idea behind Googlebooks is a good one and is the right move for Google. However, I also believe the initial wave is going to be a disastrous failure.

The development pipeline on these likely started when the target was a Macbook Air/Macbook Pro or Surface Laptop at approx $999. However, in the time it's taken to get these to market the landscape has shifted dramatically. The RAM crisis has shifted those $999 devices into the $1199 price range, Apple launched the Macbook Neo at $599 (now $699), and the entire PC market is starting to target that new premium-lite category (see the XPS 13 and the Lenovo Vibe). Apple also has a significant advantage in that their chips have integrated RAM, which is a major advantage in the current environment that other OEMs can't compete with.

I have 100% confidence that if all launch devices are over $1000, they are going to flop. HARD. That is probably good for you and me, because like premium Chromebooks, they will be available at steep discounts.

The real question though is how will OEMs react? They often over-correct and I could see many of the launch partners abandoning the platform completely, which could lead to a death-spiral for the category and we are back to poorly crafted budget-centric devices flooding the market.

Hopefully, the OEMs are smart enough to see where the market is headed and have some mid-range devices in the pipeline to target the Macbook Neo, and there is enough time for those to hit the market before the Googlebook market becomes full of terrible commodity devices like the ChromeOS market did.


r/chromeos 1d ago

Buying Advice i forgot my pin of my chrome book

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How to crack the forgotten PIN of a Chromebook


r/chromeos 1d ago

Troubleshooting Is the USB C port replaceable or fixable? (Samsung Chromebook 4)

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It doesn't charge or do anything at all, it's not the motherboard, I already inserted a full battery and it's the damn port that is messed up.

Or might as well just buy a motherboard replacement to not deal with anything hard.


r/chromeos 1d ago

Discussion como puedo tener mas fps en juegos

Upvotes

hola gente saben como puedo hacer que mi cromebook tenga mucho mas rendimiento para roblox tengo 8 gb de ram y un intel Intel(R) Celeron(R) N4500 pongo el la tamaño de pantalla al  911 × 512 ( osea lo mas grande posible ) pero ay vaces que me da bajones de fps muy feos y cuando hay momentos como de enfrentamientos se traba mucho y me cuesta tener presicion que me recomiendan para tener mejores fps?


r/chromeos 1d ago

Troubleshooting Acer Spin 714 Stuck in infinite loop

Upvotes

Hi all. My ACER CB+ Spin 714 is stuck in a loop that alternates between the CB logo and a warning not to turn off as a critical update is being applied. It had been doing it nonstop. I ran diagnostics, and it said that no SSD could be found, but memory was fine. I tried all the normal things and eventually put in a new SSD. Unfortunately, after applying the recovery tool and reinstalling Chrome OS, the exact same loop came back. Diagnostics still says no SSD can be found. Tried the turn it off and on 20+ times and tried unplugging the battery and plugging in the power cable. Thanks for any help if anyone has ideas.


r/chromeos 1d ago

Troubleshooting ​Acer Chromebook Spin 714 – POST / Boot failure following automated update & official support response

Upvotes

Looking to document an issue and check if other Spin 714 owners or fleet administrators have encountered similar behavior.

​Device: Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Trigger Event: Standard automated ChromeOS update

​Observed Hardware Behavior:

  • ​Following the update, the laptop completely stopped booting.
  • ​Whenever I attempt to power it on, the behavior varies, but it does not complete basic power-on self-test (POST).
  • ​The display remains dark, and standard recovery key combinations (Esc + Refresh + Power) do not bring up a recovery screen.

​Support Interaction:

  • ​I contacted Acer customer support regarding the non-booting hardware state.
  • ​Acer's formal written response instructed me to resolve the issue by installing and using the "beta version" of the operating system.
  • ​Because software cannot be installed or run on a device that fails to power on and boot, this proposed remedy is an operational impossibility.

​Documenting this here to ask: Has anyone else with a Spin 714 experienced this post-update boot failure, or received similar instructions from Acer support to install alternative OS builds on hardware that won't turn on?


r/chromeos 1d ago

Troubleshooting Chromebox shutdown loop

Upvotes

I've had a Chrome box for several years and with its latest update it automatically shuts down like it is restarting for the update.

However, it just shuts down and does not turn back on. I can turn it on manually and I have tried to restart it before it shuts down again but it just stays in this loop and will not stay on.

Does anyone have any advice on how to correct this?


r/chromeos 2d ago

Troubleshooting Why do some of my apps not have icons?

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I got given the laptop from my younger sister this morning, and two apps (the ones shown in the second image) were missing from my hotbar, I thought nothing of it and just used it like normal, and when I go to put them back, they look like that, from what i've seen, all of the ones that were affected were games. If anyone can help get my icons back, it would be greatly appreciated


r/chromeos 1d ago

Buying Advice Chrome Book Idea

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Hi Guys Ihave An Chromebook and i dont use it

give me sussgets for what can i do with that thing


r/chromeos 2d ago

Discussion Can't recommend Acer Chromebooks...

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I currently own three Acer laptops, one of which is a very nice gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE Plus. But about 2 months after the warranty ran out on the Chromebook, a major problem with the keyboard occurred: some keys repeat, and others don't type the character until I've pressed them several times fairly hard. Now there's another major problem: horizontal lines are covering about the bottom 1/8" of the screen. These lines don't show up in screenshots, so it's a hardware problem, like the graphics card or something else failing. So, at this point, I can't recommend Acer Chromebooks. I've tried searching for an Acer support phone number, to no avail. I'm now in the market for a new Chromebook made by a company other than Acer.


r/chromeos 2d ago

Buying Advice Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

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Is this still being made? Lenovo site says NO LONGER AVAILABLE, yet once you get past that splash screen, it also says 'coming soon.'


r/chromeos 2d ago

Troubleshooting i downloaded a game off itch.io on my chromebook, i dont know how to open it :(

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the game's a zip file, i downloaded the one with the linux logo. is it possible to play on a chromebook?


r/chromeos 2d ago

Buying Advice Suggestions for a standard stylus for the acer chromebook spin 311?

Upvotes

My company provided me this computer/tablet combo for work. I'm not the biggest fan, but the flip over tablet function could be really helpful IF I could write on it with a stylus pen during patient visits.

From what I can tell its not compatible with the nicer styluses and may not take writing well. But it's touch screen and does take writing drawn from my finger so I assume it would respond to some kind of stylus?


r/chromeos 3d ago

Buying Advice Is it still wise to buy a Chromebook in 2026?

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I have an old Chromebook and it’s end of life is June 2029, I know that google is ending development on chromeos around 2034 as well, but I just love how simple and secure Chromebooks are

Coming from a windows user, Chromebooks are just so easy to maintain and use, and I’m looking to get another purely for home use.

but this end of life 2034 news has me a bit worried, like are the newer models going to be updated til 2034? I know mine is done for when 2029 hits and I want to get a Chromebook that will last, and also just wanted to know if they are still manufacturing new models for 2027?


r/chromeos 2d ago

Troubleshooting Connecting to remote chromebook

Upvotes

I have a elderly father who several years ago was given an older Chromebook to use. He has a very hard time understanding how to do things on it because he never had a computer and at his age now, 98, its hard for him to understand how it works. But now that he lives alone, he wants access to things because he sees everyone else doing it. He never even had a cellphone until about 5 years ago. That's another story though.

My question is, what is the process if there is one, that would allow me from my home computer, Linux, to connect to his and see his screen when he has problems/questions.

If there is a document or video that explains it, that would be great.

Thanks.


r/chromeos 2d ago

Discussion Windows on acer 315 with n50

Upvotes

I gave up on my chromebook this morning. I can either sell cheap or try to load windows 11 (and buy a license:( ).

Anyone tried loading windows on acer 315 n50, 8 go, 128...

Or if in Utah want to buy this POS?