Here are some known issues with ChromeOS Flex. If available, we list a workaround to help troubleshoot the issue. Read each issue carefully to make sure you understand their impact before switching to ChromeOS Flex.
Things to bear in mind
ChromeOS Flex differs from ChromeOS
- ChromeOS Flex has important differences from ChromeOS that impact security, applications, and hardware support. See Differences between ChromeOS Flex and ChromeOS.
Known issues
Known issue
From time to time, Sandisk or other USB drives might not work as installers. Potential USB drive issues include:
- USB cannot be written to. For example, it halts writing at 0%.
- Even though the USB installer is successfully created, the device doesn't boot.
- The device doesn’t install ChromeOS Flex and fails with error code 1.
- The device starts the installation but then stalls.
- The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) file is not visible on the USB drive.
Workaround
- Format your USB drive and recreate your USB installer.
- Try a USB drive from a different manufacturer.
Related topics
Known issue
Internal speakers automatically mute while 1/8 inch headphones are plugged into devices, even if you use audio settings to select internal speakers for output.
Workaround
Unplug the 1/8 inch headphones from the device.
Known issue
When using multiple monitors, high resolution displays that are 2560 by 1440p or greater might not be able to use mirror mode, even if extended mode works on the same monitor. You might see a blank screen, frozen image, or other issues, depending on the device.
Known issue
Desktops with integrated Intel GPUs and an added discrete GPU in an expansion slot might not be able to output video from the expansion slot’s video output ports.
Workaround
On devices with multiple GPUs, use integrated video output ports.
Known issue
Even on devices whose BIOS or UEFI settings support SD cards as bootable devices, you might not be able to use SD or microSD cards to boot ChromeOS Flex.
Workaround
Use a USB drive.
Known issue
ChromeOS Flex cannot connect to EAP-TLS wireless or use hardware-backed certificates unless a supported TPM is present and being used on the device.
Related topics
Known issue
ChromeOS Flex cannot install if internal storage—such as HDD, SSD, and so on—is set to RAID mode.
Workaround
Before you install ChromeOS Flex on devices, switch BIOS or UEFI settings from RAID to AHCI.
- Open the BIOS settings menu.
- Find the menu for RAID and AHCI settings, typically under Storage.
- Make sure that RAID is set to Disabled or switch from RAID to AHCI.
- Save the settings and exit the BIOS settings menu.
- Re-install ChromeOS Flex on the device. For instructions, see Boot device using the USB installer and Start using ChromeOS Flex.
Known issue
These Wi-Fi chipsets are currently not supported on ChromeOS Flex:
- Killer ax500 (also known as Qualcomm QCA3690)
- MEDIATEK Corp. MT7902
Known issue
Devices using Nvidia GPUs are likely to be unstable and exhibit display flickering when under heavy GPU load.
- Devices using the Quadro NVS 4200M are not recommended for use.
Multiple generations of Intel GPUs are unsupported on ChromeOS Flex and will not boot it.
- Intel Generation 3 and older, including GMA 900, 950, 3100, 3150
- Intel PowerVR graphics, including GMA 500, 600, 3600, 3650
Known issue
ChromeOS Flex provides the option to live boot, running the OS directly from your USB drive without actually installing it. Live boot keeps your device's current data and OS, so you can test ChromeOS Flex before you install it. Live booting is only recommended for temporary exploration or testing.
When you run ChromeOS Flex from USB, you might experience the following limitations:
- Lowered performance
- Storage space limitations and warnings
- No OS updates
- Hardware issues, such as sleep and resume malfunction
- Connectivity issues
- Devices cannot be enrolled
Workaround
We strongly recommend full installation for the best ChromeOS Flex experience.
Known issue
We only test and maintain ChromeOS Flex on certified models. For important notes or issues specific to individual certified models, go to the Certified models list.
Known issue
- Only x86_64 architecture devices can run ChromeOS Flex. 32-bit x86 and ARM devices are not supported.
- Mac devices with Touch Bar, T2 security chip, or M1 processor are unsupported and likely to have major bugs even if they work.
- Unless listed as a certified model, Microsoft Surface products are unsupported and likely to have issues with keyboards, touchpads, touchscreens, and webcams.
- Linux development environment
- ChromeOS Flex only supports Linux development environment on devices that meet security and hardware capability requirements.
- You might need to turn on BIOS or UEFI settings for VT-x, VT-d, or other virtualization settings.
- You might need to turn off hyper-threading using BIOS or UEFI settings
Known issue
ChromeOS Flex cannot be enrolled for use in Chromebox for Meetings mode.
Related topics
Known issue
PhoneHub and QuickShare are not supported on ChromeOS Flex.
Known issue
Starting with ChromeOS Flex version M135, we've moved to a new Bluetooth stack—Fluoride. Devices using older Bluetooth 4.0 stacks or earlier chipsets are no longer expected to work.
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can set the #bluetooth-use-floss flag to disabled, which reverts the device to the prior bluetooth stack. You might also have to enable #temporary-unexpire-flags-m136 to access the flag.
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