How to Use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to Create Recovery Media

A backup of your OS, not your data

The Chromebook Recovery Utility is a browser extension for creating recovery media for Chromebook devices. A recovery media can fix Chrome operating system (ChromeOS) issues by removing and reinstalling the OS.

This tutorial will show you how to use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to create recovery media for your Chromebook. You’ll also learn how to use the recovery media to recover your Chromebook if its operating system malfunctions.

Chromebook Recovery Utility Requirements

You need a USB flash drive or SD card with at least 8GB of free storage space. The Chromebook Recovery Utility will format the storage device when converting it to a recovery media. Hence, we recommend using a new flash drive or SD card, or an old one you don’t mind erasing. If you have important files on your flash drive or SD card, back them up to the cloud or a different computer.

The Chromebook Recovery Utility works on any computer (Windows or Mac) with Google Chrome. If your Chromebook doesn’t turn on, you can create a recovery media on a different Chromebook or macOS and Windows computer.

Create Recovery Media Using the Chromebook Recovery Utility

Plug the flash drive or SD card into your Chromebook, open the Google Chrome browser, and follow these steps.

Proceed to the next step when you see a “Chromebook Recovery Utility has been added to Chrome” success message.

Select or tapSelect a model from a listif the recovery tool doesn’t auto-detect your Chromebook’s model.

Choose your Chromebook’s manufacturer in theSelect a manufacturerdrop-down menu. Next, choose your Chromebook model name in theSelect a productdrop-down menu and selectContinue.

Depending on your internet speed, the Chromebook Recovery Utility takes 10-30 minutes to download, write, and create a recovery image on the storage device.

Keep your device connected to the internet and selectDonewhen a success message appears on the screen.

Recover Your Chromebook Using the Recovery Media

Performing a recovery can fix operating system (OS) corruption and resolve issues that afactory reset or powerwashfails to fix. You can also recover your Chromebook if itdoesn’t boot past a black screen.

Note:A recovery media is a backup of your Chromebook’s operating system, not a backup of your personal files, apps, or data. Recovering your Chromebook will erase everything on the device. If you can still sign in to your Chromebook, back up your files to Google Drive or an external storage device before performing a recovery.

Refer to the following steps to recover your Chromebook using a recovery media.

If you use a Chromebook tablet, press and hold theVolume Down,Volume Up, andPowerbuttons for at least ten seconds.

Your Chromebook should display the recovery screen with an “External disk with recovery image detected” message.

Wait for your Chromebook to start the recovery operation—this takes about 2-5 minutes.

Keep your Chromebook powered on or connected to a power source. The system recovery process takes 5-15 minutes, depending on your Chromebook model.

Reusing Your Recovery Drive

You can’t use or store files on the USB flash drive or SD card containing your Chromebook’s recovery media. You must erase the recovery media to reuse the USB flash drive or SD card as a regular storage device. Connect the storage device to your computer and follow the steps below.

ChromeOS Recovery Made Easy

Contact your administrator to recover a work or school Chromebook. If your Chromebook displays an “An unexpected error has occurred” message during recovery, erase/format the storage device and try again. Google also recommends trying a different USB flash or SD card as some storage devices don’t work well with recovery.Contact your Chromebook manufacturerif the issue persists.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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How to Use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to Create Recovery Media#

Chromebook Recovery Utility Requirements#

Create Recovery Media Using the Chromebook Recovery Utility#

Recover Your Chromebook Using the Recovery Media#

Reusing Your Recovery Drive#

ChromeOS Recovery Made Easy#