Google's Fix connection problems article gives the order for a Chromebook that will not connect: check the Wi-Fi connection, use the network diagnostic tool, restart the Chromebook, and test after each step. Then separate the fault: connect to the router with an Ethernet cable or USB adapter and, if that connects, the problem is Wi-Fi; try the router with a different computer, and if it connects, replace the cable or the adapter.
If the network is a captive portal, the kind that needs a sign-in page in a hotel or cafe, browse to a site that starts with http:// (not https://) to find the sign-in page, or use a private window if your administrator allows. If a phone connects and the Chromebook does not, the Diagnostics app, opened from Settings, About ChromeOS, tests Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Google Services connectivity and can save the results as a text file. A Chromebook Plus 514 has no Windows-style adapter driver to reinstall.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Chromebook Plus 514 will not connect to Wi-Fi or keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Wi-Fi is off or not connected
What separates it There is no network name at the bottom right
How to confirm Select the time, turn Wi-Fi on and choose your network, as Google's Wi-Fi article says
- 2
A captive portal is waiting for a sign-in
What separates it The network shows connected but no page loads because a captive portal is waiting for a sign in
How to confirm Browse to a site that begins with http:// to reach the sign-in page, as Google's article describes
- 3
A problem with the router or provider
What separates it A phone on the same network also fails to get online, which points at the router or provider
How to confirm Restart the router; test the router with a different computer
- 4
A bad cable or adapter on a wired connection
What separates it Ethernet does not connect because of a bad cable or adapter on a wired connection
How to confirm Google says if the router connects to another computer, replace the cable or the USB Ethernet adapter
- 5
A managed network that blocks Chrome devices
What separates it Other devices connect and the Chromebook does not because a managed network blocks Chrome devices
How to confirm Ask the administrator to allowlist the hostnames Google lists
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The full model number from the label and the ChromeOS version from Settings, About ChromeOS
- Which network fails, whether it is open, secure, hidden, enterprise or a captive portal, and whether a phone works on it
- What the Diagnostics app's connectivity test reports
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck Wi-Fi is on
ReversibleCheck Wi-Fi is on, by selecting the time at the bottom right, turning Wi-Fi on and picking the network.
Restart the Chromebook
ReversibleRestart the Chromebook, since Google's article lists a restart among its first steps, and test again.
Run Diagnostics
ReversibleRun Diagnostics, in Settings, About ChromeOS, Diagnostics, and the connectivity test runs automatically for your default connection.
Try a wired connection
ReversibleTry a wired connection, by using an Ethernet cable or USB adapter to separate Wi-Fi from the router.
Find the sign-in page
ReversibleOn a public network, browse to an http:// site to reach the captive portal page.
Test another device
ReversibleIf a phone also fails on the network, the router or provider is the cause.
Reset if it persists
ReversibleReset if it persists, by trying Safety Reset, then Powerwash as a last step after backing up.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- ChromeOS, not Windows
- There is no Windows Update, BIOS key or driver installer on a Chromebook. Updates, drivers and firmware arrive through ChromeOS itself.
- Repair cost
- A Wi-Fi fault is almost always the router, a setting or ChromeOS, which costs nothing to fix. If the wireless hardware itself is bad, Most laptop repairs run $99 to $299 at an independent shop and a diagnostic is free, per BadgerLayer's 2026 repair guide; the Chromebook should be quoted after diagnosis.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Diagnostics reports a Wi-Fi hardware fault and a wired connection works, contact Acer Support
- !If a school or work Chromebook cannot join a managed network, contact your administrator
- !If only Google Services connectivity fails, save the test details and contact your network administrator
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile networks, captive portals and the hostname allowlist.
Turning Wi-Fi on, joining open, secure, hidden and enterprise networks.
The Diagnostics app's battery, connectivity, CPU, memory and keyboard tests.
The Chromebook and ChromeOS platform.
Shop price ranges for screen, battery, keyboard and charging-port repairs.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I use a phone hotspot?+
Yes. Google has an article on using your Chromebook with a phone's connection; it is a quick way to tell a router fault from a Chromebook fault.
What does Google check first?+
That the Chromebook is connected to the internet, then the network diagnostic tool and a restart, testing after each step.
How do I reach a hotel or cafe sign-in page?+
Browse to a website that starts with http:// rather than https://, as Google's article says. A private window can help if your administrator allows it.
What is the Diagnostics app?+
A ChromeOS app under Settings, About ChromeOS that checks the battery, connectivity, CPU, memory and keyboard. Its connectivity test covers Wi-Fi, Ethernet, cellular and Google Services.
Can I reinstall the Wi-Fi driver?+
No. Drivers come with ChromeOS updates, so keep the Chromebook updated and use a Safety Reset or Powerwash if a setting is corrupt.
What is Safety Reset?+
A setting under System preferences that resets Chrome and network settings to safe defaults and disables extensions without deleting your local data or apps, per Google's article.
Why does my school Chromebook not join home Wi-Fi?+
Some school policies restrict networks. Ask the administrator before troubleshooting hardware.
Do I need a part number for a Wi-Fi repair?+
No. Acer identifies the Chromebook by its full model number.