Chromebook Troubleshooting Tips

Getting Started with your Chromebook or Chrome Tablet
Click HERE for a short video introduction to Chrome devices and how to get logged in.

Click HERE for a short video demonstrating how to login and use Google Classroom.

Click HERE for a short video demonstrating how to access a Zoom meeting.

Click HERE for directions on switching your Chromebook to the new domain. (Students who just received a Chromebook this year will not need to do this.)

Click HERE for troubleshooting tips on Chromebook tablets.
If your Chromebook isn’t charging, or not turning on, please check the following items: 

  1. Check all power connections. Remove any power strips and surge protectors then connect the ac power adapter directly to the ac power outlet. 
  2. Inspect the AC power adapter. Check for any physical damage, and make sure that the power cable is firmly attached to the adapter brick and to the Chromebook. 
  3. Verify the AC power source is working by something else into the outlet, like a lamp or corded drill.


After verifying these items have been checked. Proceed with a Hardware Reset.  Follow the steps below to perform a Hardware Reset. 
  1. Turn off your Chromebook 
  2. Press and hold the Refresh key and the Power button
  3. When your Chromebook starts up, release Refresh key


If your Chromebook still doesn’t turn on or charge you may have faulty hardware and it will need to be diagnosed by a PC Technician at TLC.  Please contact your teacher who will submit a HelpDesk ticket for you.  You’ll be contacted by one of the district’s technicians.  

If a specific piece of hardware on your Chromebook stops working. Examples include: touchpad, keyboard, touch screen functionality, USB port(s), headphone jack, camera

  1. Turn off your Chromebook, then turn it back on
  2. Perform a Hardware Reset 

Please refer to the problem above for instructions on how to do this. 

  1. Perform a Powerwash (Click HERE for directions)


If your nonfunctioning hardware still isn’t working. Your device will need to be diagnosed by a PC Technician at TLC.  Please contact your teacher who will submit a HelpDesk ticket for you.  You’ll be contacted by one of the district’s technicians.

If your Chromebook is slow, check for the newest version of chrome operating system

  1. Click your account photo (lower right corner)
  2. Click SettingsClick Menu. Find About Chrome OS
  3. Under "Google Chrome OS," click Check for Updates
  4.  If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically


If your Chromebook displays an error when accessing a specific webpage (such as: “Aw, Snap!” and “This webpage is unavailable”)
  1. Check your Internet connection 
  2. Clear cached images and files and cookies and other site data
  3. Close other tabs, apps, and extensions 


How to clear cache and cookies

  1. Open Google Chrome 
  2. At the top-right, find theMore icon
  3. Click More tools > Clear browsing data
  4. At the top, select All time
  5. Next, check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, leave the other options unchecked
  6. Click Clear data


Logging in to your School District of Washington (SDOW) Google account from your home computer (not your Chromebook)

  1. Type google.com in the URL line of your computer
  2. On the right hand side, click the blue ‘sign-in’ box
  3. In the box that says email or phone number, type your entire SDOW email address.  Your email address is the last two digits of your graduation year followed by the first two letters of your first name and then the first five letters of your last name followed by @sdowmo.org for example:  [email protected]
  4. When the password box pops up, type the same password you use to log in to your Chromebook and Schoology
  5. Click ‘Next’
  6. You are now in your SDOW Google account

SDOW Email Information


SDOW does not use Gmail as an email platform, we use Outlook.

Whether you are on your Chromebook, your phone, or a home computer, you must access your Outlook email through the WebMail application.  A link can be found under the student drop down tab on the SDOW website.  Look for Outlook Email.  

You can click the link below to access Outlook Email: https://mail.washington.k12.mo.us

How to log on to your email

  1. Go to the SDOW webpage and find the student dropdown menu
  2. Click Outlook Email
  3. In the user name box type just your username (not your whole email address - ex. 23hatruman)
  4. Type the same password you use to log in to your Chromebook or Schoology

If it’s the first time connecting to your school email you must choose a time zone, please scroll down to CENTRAL TIME  (do not choose Central America),  accept the terms and then you should see your email.

Communication with your teachers/principals/school staff should be through your SDOW Outlook email account. Please check it daily for new email.

How to Share Document in Google Drive 


It is important that you share information from your SDOW Google account to your teacher’s SDOW Google account, not your personal account.

To share a document please do the following:

  1. Open the document you want to share
  2. Click the blue ‘share’ button in the upper right hand corner of your document
  3. In the box that says ‘people’ enter the entire school email address of the person you wish to share your document with. For example, [email protected]
  4. Click ‘done’.  The person you shared the document with will receive an email notification and a link to open the document.

NOTE:  To find the correct email address for your teacher, please do the following:

  1. Go to the SDOW website, find the ‘Schools’ drop down menu and click on your school
  2. When your school web page pulls up, go to the ‘About Us’ drop down tab and click on ‘Staff Directory’
  3. There you will find a staff directory with teacher names and email addresses