If you have ever encountered the frustrating message on your Chromebook that says Network Not Available, you’re not alone. While Chromebooks are known for their simplicity and seamless integration with the cloud, occasional connectivity issues can arise.
This article discusses various causes of the error message Network not available on Chromebook and a few ways to fix the issue.
What causes this issue?
Various causes might affect the internet connectivity on your Chromebook, and they are mentioned below:
- WiFi is disabled.
- Temporary system glitches.
- Communication issues.
- Hardware problems.
Also read: What to do if your Chromebook camera is not working?
How to fix the issue?
Here are a few troubleshooting methods that might help you fix the issue:
Check the WiFi Switch
Check for a WiFi switch on your Chromebook. Certain models have a physical switch that lets you turn the wireless connectivity on and off. Ensure that it hasn’t been accidentally shifted to the Off position.
Check your WiFi connection
Ensure your WiFi is turned on and you’re connected to the correct network. If they detect a stronger signal, Chromebooks can sometimes jump to a different network.
Also read: How to crash a Chromebook?
Restart the Router and Chromebook
First, switch off your router and restart your Chromebook. Turning off the router and giving your Chromebook a fresh start can often fix any communication issues between the two devices. Once your Chromebook has restarted, switch the router back on and try reconnecting to the WiFi.
Update your Chromebook
Step 1: Click on the Clock on the Chromebook shelf, and then in the notification menu, click on the Settings icon.
Step 2: In the settings, click on the About ChromeOS available at the bottom of the sidebar, then on the right side click on the Check for updates button.
Chromebook will check for updates and install them automatically, if available.
Also read: How to open the task manager on a Chromebook?
Run Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics
Use Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics, a Google Chrome add-on designed to troubleshoot network connections specifically on Chromebooks. This tool can identify any Wi-Fi issues and offer potential solutions.
Hard reset your Chromebook
A hard reset may delete some files in the download folder on your Chromebook, so make a backup of those before performing a hard reset. Here are the steps to perform a hard reset on a Chromebook:
- Turn off your Chromebook.
- Press and hold the Refresh button and then tap on the Power button.
- When the Chromebook turns on, release the Refresh button.
Connect with Ethernet
If your Chromebook has an Ethernet port, connect it directly to your modem. This helps determine if the issue lies with the WiFi receiver. If you can connect via Ethernet, the problem may be related to WiFi.
Use WiFi adapter
Connect to WiFi using a USB WiFi adapter if you suspect internal hardware issues. This external device can bypass potential internal problems.
Also read: Why won’t my Lenovo Chromebook turn on?
Powerwash your Chromebook
If none of the previous methods work, your last option is to powerwash your Chromebook. This means resetting it to the factory settings. Remember that this process deletes everything stored on your device, so back up any important files before performing a powerwash. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Click on the Clock on the Chromebook shelf, and then in the notification menu, click on the Settings icon.
Step 2: Click on Advanced in the sidebar to expand it.
Step 3: In Advanced options, click on the Accessibility option and then click on the Reset button on the right side of the screen.
Your Chromebook will restart; follow the on-screen instructions and sign in with your Google account.
Alternate way to powerwash
- Sign out of your Chromebook.
- Press and hold the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R keys on the login screen.
- On the pop-up window, click on Restart.
- In the box that appears, select Powerwash > Continue.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Sign in with your Google account and then set up your Chromebook.
Contact your manufacturer
If even the powerwash did not fix the issue on your Chromebook, then it’s a good time to contact your Chromebook manufacturer or any trustworthy technician; they can assist you with further troubleshooting and fix the issue.
Also read: How to make your Chromebook faster?
