Wipe ChromeOS device data

Want to remotely manage ChromeOS devices? Start your Chrome Enterprise Upgrade trial at no charge today

You can clear all local user data stored on a ChromeOS device by switching to developer mode and then switching back to normal mode. This is useful if you want to re-enroll a ChromeOS device after a user signs into it.

To manage a ChromeOS device in your domain, you must enroll it before any user signs in to it (including you as the administrator). If a user signs in before you enroll the device, your Google Workspace account policies and preferences will not apply, and you must wipe the device to restart enrollment and manage the device in your domain.

All account information and data stored on a ChromeOS device that isn't synced with Google Chrome Sync, such as photos, downloaded files, and saved networks, is deleted during the wipe process.

Wipe a ChromeOS device

The exact steps for your device might vary. If your ChromeOS device is listed below, follow those steps. Otherwise, here are generic steps that apply for any Chromebook or Chromebox.

When you enter recovery mode, you can use internet recovery to wipe devices, if it’s an option. Otherwise, use developer mode mode or USB recovery options.

Wipe a Chromebook—Developer mode

1. Turn off the Chromebook.
2. Press Esc++Power.
   A yellow exclamation point (!) or Please insert a recovery USB stick is displayed.
3. Press Ctrl+D to begin Developer mode, then press Enter.
4. Press Space, then press Enter.
   The Chromebook deletes its local data, returning to its initial state. This can take approximately 40 minutes.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
5. When the transition completes, press the space bar, then press Enter to return to Verified mode.
6. Enroll the Chromebook before signing in to it.

Wipe a Chromebook—Recover using internet connection

For devices that have the option to recover using the internet, such as HP Elite Dragonfly, and are connected to the internet.

1. Turn off the Chromebook.
2. Press Esc++Power.
3. Select Recover using internet connection.
4. Press Enter to move to the next screen.
5. To connect to a network to begin recovery, press Enter.
6. Select the network connection and press Enter.
7. If prompted, type your password and press Enter. Ethernet does not require a password.
   Note: To view your password, press Tab.
8. Connecting to the network might take a few minutes.
9. At Start recovery, press Enter to move to the next screen.
10. After recovery is completed, Chromebook restarts.
11. Enroll the Chromebook before signing in to it.

Wipe a Chromebook tablet

1. If the device is not charging (unplugged or plugged in and fully charged), press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons until the battery indicator LED color changes to orange. Then, release the buttons and make sure the LED color turns green.
2. If the device is plugged in and charging, press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons until the orange battery indicator LED color flickers. Then, release the buttons and make sure the LED color remains orange.
   Note: If the device turns off completely, turn it on again and start over.
3. When prompted to insert a recovery USB stick or SD card, press the Volume Up or Volume Down button to open the options menu.
4. Simultaneously press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons.
5. Select Confirm Disabling OS Verification and press the Power button.
6. Select Developer Options and press the Power button.
7. Select Boot from Internal Disk and press the Power button.
   The Chromebook tablet deletes its local data, returning to its initial state. This process takes approximately 15 minutes.
8. Select Enable OS Verification and press the Power button to return to Verified mode.
9. Select Confirm Enabling OS Verification and press the Power button.
10. Before signing in, enroll the Chromebook tablet.

Important: The steps above might not work on all devices. If you’re not sure that you can recover the device after you wipe it, contact Google support.

Wipe a Chromebox

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Turn off the Chromebox.
3. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole.
   Here's where they are on ASUS, Dell, AOPEN, and Acer Chromebox models:
   
   ASUS Chromebox 3 CN65

   
   
   ASUS Chromebox 2 CN62
   
   
   Dell Chromebox
   
   
   AOPEN Chromebox
   
   
   Acer Chromebox
   

4. Press down the recovery button with a paperclip while turning on the device.
5. Press Ctrl+D. The screen text should visibly change.
6. Press the recovery button with the paperclip again.
   The device restarts and displays a red exclamation point.
7. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebox restarts and starts the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data and takes approximately 10 minutes.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
8. At the startup screen, press the space bar, and then press Enter to restart the device and return to Verified mode.
9. If you're using a managed Chromebox for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.
   If you’re using a Chromebox for meetings, see enroll your device instead.

Wipe a Chromebit

1. Turn off the Chromebit by removing the power cord.
2. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole while reattaching the power cord (to turn on the device). The recovery button hole is circled below:

   

3. Press Ctrl+D. The screen text should visibly change.
4. Once again, put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole.
   The device restarts and displays a red exclamation point.
5. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebit restarts and starts the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data. The process takes approximately 10 minutes.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
6. At the startup screen, press the space bar, and then press Enter to restart the device and return to Verified mode.
7. If you're using a managed Chromebit for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.

Device-specific wipe instructions

Select your ChromeOS device below for instructions. If your device isn't listed, follow the generic steps above that apply for any Chromebook or Chromebox.

Samsung Series 3 Chromebox

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Turn off the Chromebox.
3. Locate the Kensington lock port, on the back of the device next to the power port.

   

4. Gently move the switch held within the lock port away from the power port using a paper clip or a pin.
   Moving the switch to this position puts the Chromebox into Developer mode.
5. Start the Chromebox.
   The screen displays a sad face icon rather than starting up immediately.
6. Press Ctrl+D to begin the wiping process.
   If you don't press Ctrl+D, the process starts automatically after 20 seconds. The Chromebox begins returning to its initial internal state. The process takes about 5 minutes. Do not turn off the Chromebox during the wiping process. The sad face icon appears again when the process is complete.
7. Press Ctrl+D again, or wait for 20 seconds.
   The initial sign-on screen appears.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
8. Turn off the Chromebox.
9. Return the switch from step 3 to its original position (towards the power port, which is Normal mode).
10. Start the Chromebox.
11. If you're using a managed Chromebox for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.
    If you’re using a Chromebox for meetings, see enroll your device instead.

AOPEN Chromebase

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Turn off the Chromebase.
3. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole.
   
4. Press down the recovery button with a paperclip while turning on the device.
5. Press Ctrl+D.
6. Press the recovery button with the paperclip again.
   The device restarts and displays a red exclamation point.
7. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebase restarts and starts the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data and takes approximately 10 minutes.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
8. At the startup screen, press the space bar, then press Enter to restart the device and return to Verified mode.
9. If you're using a managed Chromebase for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.

LG Chromebase

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Turn off the Chromebase.
3. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole on the back of the device.

   

4. Press down the recovery button with a paperclip while turning on the device.
5. Press Ctrl+D. The screen text should visibly change.
6. Press the recovery button with the paperclip again.
7. The device restarts and displays a red exclamation mark.
8. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebase restarts and starts the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data. The deletion takes approximately 10 minutes.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in Verified mode.
9. After this process is completed, press the space bar at the startup screen. Press Enter to return to Verified mode. The device restarts and re-enters Verified mode.
10. If you're using a managed Chromebase for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.

Acer Chromebase for meetings

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole while turning on the device.
   The recovery button hole is located on the back of the Chromebase device.
3. Press Ctrl+D. The screen text should visibly change.
4. Press the recovery button with the paperclip again.
   The device restarts and the screen displays a red exclamation mark.
5. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebase will restart and start the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data. The deletion takes approximately 10 minutes.
6. After this process is completed, press the space bar at the startup screen.
7. Press Enter to return to Verified mode. The device will restart and re-enter Verified mode.
8. Follow these steps to enroll your device.

Questions

Note: For devices that don’t belong to an organization that you want to use as a personal device, complete the on-screen setup using your personal Google Account.

My device says it has been marked for enterprise management. What do I do?

A message stating that This device has been marked for enterprise management by domain.com means that the device is configured for Forced re-enrollment by the administrator of that domain.

If you are a member of this organization, enter your credentials on this screen to enroll the device.

If you are seeing this enrollment screen and your device does not belong to an organization (for example, you purchased it online and haven't enrolled it), visit this page for instructions.

Nothing happens when I press Ctrl+D.

If you're using an external USB keyboard, make sure it is plugged in directly to the device. Bluetooth keyboards might not work.

Note:

• If the device does not belong to an organization and you want to use it as a personal device, complete the on-screen setup using your personal Google Account.

Google and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.