HP Chromebooks - Guide to HP Chromebooks for School

It's recommended to regularly clean the frequently-touched exterior surfaces of your Chromebook, like the keyboard, touchpad, and touchscreen. Refer to How to Clean Your Computer from HP Support for detailed guidance on cleaning practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To get more out of a single battery charge, try dimming the screen and closing any browser tabs or apps you're not using. Unplug any USB devices that might be drawing power from the computer.

Make it a habit to shut down and plug in Chromebooks when they're not in use so that they will always be charged and ready to go when class starts. Never leave your Chromebook in a hot car or out in the sun, because prolonged exposure to heat can damage the battery.

If the battery won't charge, make sure the charging cable is completely plugged in (both in the outlet and in the Chromebook). Test the power outlet with another device to make sure it's working. If the Chromebook still won't charge, try the troubleshooting steps in Chromebook Does Not Power On or Charge Battery.

Batteries can drain to a critical level when stored for a long time without power. For extended storage periods, like over summer vacation, it's a good idea to put your classroom Chromebooks in shipping mode to completely cut off the connection to the battery. First, charge the Chromebooks to about 80-90%. To enable shipping mode, hold down the refresh and power buttons on the keyboard while unplugging the AC adapter. You can test to make sure this worked by pressing the power button; if it's in shipping mode, the Chromebook won't turn on until it's plugged in again, even though the battery is charged. To exit shipping mode, just reconnect the charging cable and press the power button to turn the Chromebook on.

The Chrome Web Store offers several apps you can use to get connected with virtual meetings or classes on your Chromebook, including Zoom, Meet, and Hangouts. Go to Getting Started on Chrome OS from Zoom Help Center, learn more about Google Meet, or check out Hangouts Help.

To connect to Wi-Fi, click the settings area in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click Not connected, select the network name, enter the password, and then click Connect.

If your Chromebook can't connect to a Wi-Fi network, try Fix connection problems from Google Support.

Although an internet connection is necessary to get the most out of your Chromebook, there are some options for working offline when Wi-Fi is unavailable. For example, you could work on an assignment in Google Docs or Slides offline, and then sync the updated file (or, in other words, save changes to the cloud) when a connection is available.

Not everyone has access to a home internet connection, but there are ways to get creative to get online. Many public libraries offer free Wi-Fi, along with some restaurants, retail stores, and coffee shops. If you have access to a smartphone that supports tethering and your plan has enough mobile data, you might be able to create a mobile hotspot to connect your Chromebook to the internet. Search for mobile hotspot setup instructions based on your phone service provider and hardware.

It can be very frustrating when the camera or audio isn't working, preventing you from joining in class discussion or enjoying a call with friends. The resources in this section can help you troubleshoot issues with Chromebook hardware devices.

• Audio issues can sometimes be caused by web browser or site security settings. Try the steps in Troubleshooting Audio Issues (Chrome OS) from HP Support to make sure security settings aren't causing the problem.
• If you're having problems with the touchpad, or you want to change how the touchpad works, go to Use your Chromebook touchpad from Google Support.
• If the camera, sound, keyboard, Bluetooth, or another device is not working, try Fix hardware and system problems from Google Support.
• Some HP Chromebook models have a physical switch that turns the webcam on and off. If the camera isn't working, look for a switch on the left side of the Chromebook base to enable the webcam device.