Google's Update your Chromebook's operating system article says a Chromebook checks for updates and downloads automatically when it connects to the internet, and that you finish an update by restarting. To check by hand: connect to Wi-Fi, then Settings, About ChromeOS, Check for updates; if the option is missing, the Chromebook may be up to date. To avoid interruptions, plug it into a power source. If an update does not download or the Chromebook is several versions behind, Google's steps are: restart, turn it off and on, use Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than a phone's mobile data, reset the Chromebook without deleting your personal files, and as a last resort recover it (which erases everything, so back up first).
Work and school Chromebooks are updated by the administrator, with a blue notification for recommended and orange for required updates.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Chromebook Plus 514 operating-system update will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A poor or mobile-data connection
What separates it The update stalls or never downloads because of a poor or mobile data connection
How to confirm Use Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than a phone's data, as Google says, and plug in the charger
- 2
A pending restart
What separates it An Update device notification is waiting because of a pending restart
How to confirm Select Restart in the notification to finish the update
- 3
The Chromebook is several versions behind
What separates it Check for updates finds nothing or fails because the Chromebook is several versions behind
How to confirm Restart, then reset without deleting personal files, then recover as a last step
- 4
The model no longer receives updates
What separates it A message says the device will no longer receive software updates
How to confirm Google says older Chromebooks eventually stop; check the Auto Update Expiration date
- 5
A managed device
What separates it The administrator controls updates because it is a managed device
How to confirm Contact your administrator, since a managed device is controlled by them
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The full model number and the ChromeOS version from Settings, About ChromeOS
- Whether Check for updates is available and what it says
- How the Chromebook is connected and whether it is plugged in
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRestart
ReversibleRestart, and finish any waiting update from the notification on the screen, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use Wi-Fi or Ethernet
ReversibleUse Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and do not rely on a phone's data connection for an update.
Plug in the charger
ReversiblePlug in the charger, since Google advises a power source to prevent interruptions, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check for updates
ReversibleOpen Settings, About ChromeOS and choose Check for updates, then restart when it asks so the update is fully applied.
Reset without deleting files
ReversibleReset without deleting files, since Google says that you can reset a Chromebook without deleting personal files, using Safety Reset.
Recover as a last step
ReversibleRecover as a last step, by backing up first, since recovery erases everything on the Chromebook.
Check the update expiry
ReversibleCheck the update expiry, by looking up the Auto Update Expiration date for your model.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- No manual driver updates
- There is no Windows Update, BIOS key or driver installer on a Chromebook. Updates, drivers and firmware arrive through ChromeOS itself.
- Repair cost
- A ChromeOS update costs nothing. If updates fail because of a hardware fault, an independent shop repair is typically $99 to $299 per BadgerLayer, with a free diagnostic.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If updates keep failing after a restart, a wired or Wi-Fi connection and a reset, contact Acer Support
- !If a school or work Chromebook cannot update, contact your administrator
- !If the Chromebook has passed its Auto Update Expiration date, consider a replacement
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Automatic updates, checking by hand, fixing problems with updates and end of update support.
The connection checks Google's update article points to.
The last-resort recovery.
The Chromebook and ChromeOS platform.
Shop price ranges for screen, battery, keyboard and charging-port repairs.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I know which ChromeOS version I have?+
Open Settings, About ChromeOS. Under Google ChromeOS it shows the version, and Check for updates sits beside it.
Should I restart before I check for updates?+
Yes. A pending restart may already hold the update, and Google's article says you finish an update by restarting the Chromebook.
What are the blue and orange update notices?+
On a work or school Chromebook, Google says blue means an update is recommended and orange means it is required. Select Restart to update in either case.
How long will my Chromebook get updates?+
Google says models released in 2021 or later get updates for 10 years, and older models may show a message that they will stop receiving updates. Check the Auto Update Expiration date.
How often does a Chromebook update?+
It checks automatically when connected to the internet, per Google's article. You finish the update by restarting.
How do I check for updates by hand?+
Connect to Wi-Fi, then Settings, About ChromeOS, Check for updates. If the option is missing, the Chromebook may be up to date.
Why did my update stall?+
A weak connection or a phone's mobile data. Google says to use Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Will a reset delete my files?+
Google says you can reset a Chromebook without deleting your personal files; recovery, however, erases everything.
What does the Plus model add?+
Google's Chromebook Plus article says the category has specifications such as a Core i3 12th Gen or Ryzen 3 5000 or above, 8 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage, and some models qualify for an update that adds features.
What if my Chromebook stops getting updates?+
Older models eventually stop when hardware can no longer support the latest versions. Google says to check the Auto Update Expiration date.