Your Chromebook is stuck on a webpage, an app won't close, or the screen ignores every click. Start with the controls that still respond to get it moving again. If the freezing returns, work through the app checks, updates, and reset options below.
Restart if the controls still respond
If the menu at the bottom right still opens, start with a normal restart. These controls apply to current Chromebooks, including Chromebook Plus.
Select the time at the bottom right. Choose Power > Restart.
To shut down instead, choose Power > Shut down. Alternatively, hold the Power button for three seconds to shut down. On models that show a power menu, hold the button until it appears.
Select Power off if that menu appears. After shutdown, press Power to start again.
If nothing responds, use your model's forced-shutdown instructions. On the HP Fortis 11 G10 Chromebook, hold Power for at least 10 seconds. Forced shutdown loses unsaved work; other models have their own button timing. Once that model shuts down, press Power briefly to restart it.
Free a stuck tab or app
This targets a frozen page or task when the rest of the Chromebook still responds. Select the webpage tab that causes freezing. Press Ctrl + Shift + R to hard-refresh it.
If it stays stuck, or an app is the problem, open Chrome's More > More tools > Task Manager. Google's freeze-troubleshooting shortcut is Shift + Esc. Select the troublesome page, app, or extension.
Choose End Process. This loses unsaved work in that task.
Give crowded tabs and apps some breathing room
Too many open tabs and apps put pressure on your Chromebook's memory. Close unused tabs with their Close buttons while the controls still respond.
Close unused app and browser windows. For repeated freezes, Google recommends closing all apps and browser windows. On a touchscreen Chromebook using the tablet interface, swipe down from the top of the screen to display open windows.
Swipe down on the window you want to close. Once Chrome responds again, open More > Settings > Performance > Memory Saver. This feature reduces background-tab memory use. If the control is missing, continue to the next fix.
Turn on Memory Saver. Choose Balanced, the recommended setting.
Try a hardware reset for persistent unresponsiveness
Back up accessible files in Downloads before proceeding. A hardware reset carries a risk of losing some files in that folder.
Shut down the Chromebook using Power > Shut down if the menu responds, or your model's forced-shutdown procedure. On most Chromebooks, hold Refresh while tapping Power. Release Refresh when startup begins.
For a Chromebook tablet, use this button combination instead: hold Volume Up + Power for at least 10 seconds. Release both buttons. Use your model's documented hardware-reset procedure if it specifies different keys.
Track down an app or extension that keeps freezing
If freezing started after you installed an app, remove that app. For recurring Chrome trouble, test extensions individually once you have control again.
Open Chrome's More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Switch off one extension. Repeat the activity that caused the freeze. Continue the switch-off-and-test sequence with the remaining extensions until you identify the culprit.
To delete the extension responsible, select its Remove button. Confirm with Remove.
For a recently installed app, open Launcher. Right-click the app.
Select Uninstall or Remove from Chrome. Confirm with Uninstall. If removing the app or disabling extensions doesn't stop the freezes, install available ChromeOS and Android app updates next.
Bring ChromeOS and your apps up to date
Connect the Chromebook to Wi-Fi once it responds again. Select the time at the bottom right. Open Settings > About ChromeOS. Select Check for updates.
Wait for any available update to download. Select Restart in the Update available notification.
For Android apps on Chromebooks with Google Play enabled, select Update or Update all in the Updates available notification. If that notification isn't present, open Launcher > Up arrow > Play Store. Follow the store's update prompts. Chrome browser updates on a Chromebook come through ChromeOS updates; availability depends on update eligibility and, on managed devices, administrator schedules.
Use Safety reset for recurring browser trouble
Safety reset resets settings, disables extensions, and deletes cookies and temporary site data while keeping local files and apps. Select the time at the bottom right.
Open Settings > System preferences. Under Reset, select Safety reset. If the option is missing, move on to Diagnostics. Select Done when the reset finishes.
Check for a hardware problem before erasing data
Still getting freezes? Use Diagnostics to check for memory or CPU trouble. It's available on ChromeOS 90 and later.
Open Launcher. Search for Diagnostics. Open Diagnostics. Run the memory test.
Run the CPU tests. Expect temporary slowdowns during CPU testing. Contact the manufacturer if a memory or CPU test fails.
If the tests don't identify a fault and freezing continues, try a Powerwash on a personal Chromebook after backing up local files. For a work or school Chromebook, contact your administrator.
Powerwash as a last resort
Back up your local files before proceeding. Powerwash is a factory reset that erases all local user data.
Sign out by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Q twice. Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R. Select Restart. Choose Powerwash.
Select Continue. Complete the setup prompts. Contact the Chromebook manufacturer if freezing continues after the reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if only the touchpad is frozen?
Remove dust or dirt from the touchpad. Press Esc several times, then drumroll your fingers on the touchpad for 10 seconds. If it still doesn't respond, restart the Chromebook, then try a hardware reset.
How do I check whether the freezing is tied to my profile?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Q twice to sign out. Select Browse as Guest on the sign-in screen, then repeat the browsing activity that caused freezing. A Guest session runs without your saved preferences and installed apps, so better behavior there points to something in your own profile; Guest mode is a diagnostic check, not a repair. Managed devices sometimes hide this option.
Why is End Process disabled on my school or work Chromebook?
Your organization controls whether users can end tasks in Chrome's Task Manager. Ask your administrator to allow task termination. Management policies also control extension removal and reset options.
Why does a malicious page lock the browser again when I reopen it?
Restoring the page reopens the site responsible for the lockup. Perform your model's hardware reset, sign in, and open Chrome. Dismiss the Restore prompt with its close control, then test other websites.