Recover your Google Meet compute system

If you’re using your device at work or school, get help from your administrator.

If your hardware isn’t working properly, you can recover it by removing and reinstalling the Chrome operating system. You might want to recover if:

• You see this error message: Chrome OS is missing or damaged.
• You’ve filed a support case, and they recommend recovery.

Before you begin

To get started, you need the Google Meet compute system itself, as well as a: 

• Chromebook or a computer with Chrome installed
• USB flash drive with at least 8 GB available

Important: Because recovery removes your settings, deprovision the device on the Google Admin console. Then, Re-enroll the device.

Reinstall OS, recover, & prepare 

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Step 1: Get Chrome OS & use the recovery tool

On the working computer:

1. Install and open Chrome .
2. Click Extensions .
   The recovery extension should pop up. If not:
   1. Click Manage extensions.
   2. Next to Meet Compute System Recovery Utility, click the switch to move it to the right.
   3. (Optional) Click Details and move the switch to the right.
3. Launch the extension by clicking Meet Compute System Recovery Utility. 
4. (Optional) If you use the extension frequently, pin it. Click .
5. Click Get started.
6. Select a model from the list or type in the model number of the device you want to recover.
7. Click Continue.
8. Insert your USB flash drive or SD card into the computer.
9. From the menu, choose the USB flash drive or SD card you inserted.
10. Click ContinueCreate now.
11. When you see a message saying that your recovery media is ready, remove the USB flash drive or SD card from the computer. 

Step 2: Enter recovery mode

On the Google Meet compute system:

If you have anything connected to the devices, such as a mouse or external hard drive, remove it.

1. Enter recovery mode:
   1. First, turn the Meet compute system off. Using a paper clip or similar object, press and hold the recovery button.
   2. Press the power button to turn the device back on. 
   3. When you see a message on-screen, release the recovery button.
      You get one of these messages:
      • Chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card.
      • Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card.
2. Insert the USB flash drive or SD card that you used to create recovery media.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 3: (Optional) Reuse your USB flash drive or SD card

If you want to reuse your USB flash drive or SD card to store other files. To erase the recovery media:

1. On your computer, open Chrome .
2. Click Extensions .
3. Launch the extension pop-up by clicking on the Meet Compute System Recovery Utility extension.
4. In the pop-up, click Settings .
5. Click Erase recovery media.
6. From the menu, select the USB drive or SD card you want to erase.
7. Click Continue.
8. Make sure the storage device you used for recovery is listed.
9. Click Erase now.
   The tool erases everything on your USB drive or SD card.
10. When you see this message: Your recovery media has been erased, click Done.
11. Remove the USB flash drive or SD card from the computer.
12. Format the storage device using a tool provided by your OS.

Troubleshoot error messages

An unexpected error has occurred

1. Erase the device. For steps, see above: (Optional) Reuse your USB flash drive or SD card.
2. Repeat steps 1 and 2 above to try recovery again.
3. Try using a different USB flash drive or SD card to recover.
   Some USB flash drives and SD cards don’t work well with recovery.

Please remove all connected devices and start recovery

First, remove anything that's connected to your Google Meet Compute system, such as a mouse, SD card or external hard drive. Then repeat steps 1 and 2 above to try recovery again.

The device you inserted does not contain Chrome OS

First, make sure that you inserted the USB drive or SD card that you used to create recovery media. Then, if needed:

1. Erase the device. For steps, see above: (Optional) Reuse your USB flash drive or SD card above.
2. Repeat steps 1 and 2 above to try recovery again.
3. Try using a different USB flash drive or SD card to recover.
   Some USB flash drives and SD cards don’t work well with recovery. 

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