If a Chromebook will not turn on, Google's hardware reset article is the first step: turn it off, press and hold Refresh and tap Power, and release Refresh when it starts up. You can also press and hold Back, Refresh and Power for at least 10 seconds. On a tablet, hold Volume Up and Power for at least 10 seconds. If the screen stays completely blank even after the hard reset, Google describes a verification bypass key sequence, which is:
press and hold Power, double-tap Refresh, release Power, then repeat once. Google warns that this can erase user data and leaves the device with an unsecured version of firmware, and an administrator can block it, so use it last. Check power first: connect the original charger, leave it for half an hour and look for any light. If it powers on and shows a recovery message, see the recovery page.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Chromebook Plus 514 will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A flat battery or a bad charger
What separates it There are no lights and no response because of a flat battery or a bad charger
How to confirm Use the original Acer charger for at least half an hour and try another outlet
- 2
Hardware in a stuck state
What separates it The Chromebook is dead after a shutdown because the hardware is in a stuck state
How to confirm Try Google's hard reset: hold Refresh and tap Power
- 3
A blank screen on a running Chromebook
What separates it Sounds or lights show it is on but the screen is black
How to confirm Try the hard reset, then the verification bypass sequence as a last step
- 4
A damaged operating system
What separates it It starts and shows ChromeOS is missing or damaged
How to confirm See the startup recovery page, since a damaged operating system needs recovery
- 5
A hardware fault or damage
What separates it Nothing works after another charger and the hard reset
How to confirm Contact Acer support with the model and serial number if the fault continues
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether any light, sound or vibration appears when you press Power
- Whether another charger and outlet were tried
- Whether the Chromebook was dropped, wet or recently updated
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCharge with the original charger
ReversibleLeave it connected to the charger for at least half an hour before you decide it has failed, because a deeply drained battery charges slowly at first.
Try another outlet and cable
ReversibleTest the outlet with another device, such as a lamp or phone charger, to prove it supplies power before blaming the laptop.
Disconnect accessories
ReversibleDisconnect accessories, by unplugging USB devices and hubs from the Chromebook, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try Back plus Refresh plus Power
ReversibleTry Back plus Refresh plus Power, by holding all three for at least 10 seconds, as Google describes.
Use the bypass sequence only last
ReversibleUse the bypass sequence only last, and for a completely blank screen, follow Google's steps and accept the data loss.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- A touchscreen laptop, not a tablet
- The Chromebook Plus 514 is a clamshell with a touchscreen. Use the Refresh plus Power reset, not the tablet volume-button reset, unless yours is a convertible model.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If nothing responds on a known-good charger after the hard reset, contact Acer Support
- !If it was wet, dropped or swollen, stop and take it to service
- !If it starts to a recovery message, see the startup recovery page
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Hard reset steps, the tablet variant and the verification bypass key sequence for a blank screen.
Recovery mode and the recovery options.
The Diagnostics app, once the Chromebook starts.
The Chromebook and ChromeOS platform.
Shop price ranges for screen, battery, keyboard and charging-port repairs.
Exact questions
Common questions
What if a light shows and nothing else?+
A light means power is reaching the board. Leave it on the charger for half an hour, then try the hard reset before anything more drastic.
Should I try another power outlet?+
Yes. Test the outlet with another device, use the original charger and leave the Chromebook connected for half an hour before the hard reset.
What if the Chromebook vibrates or beeps but shows nothing?+
Something is running, so treat it as a blank screen: try the hard reset, an external monitor and the brightness keys before the bypass sequence.
Can a USB device stop it starting?+
A faulty USB drive or hub can confuse startup. Unplug everything, then try the hard reset again with only the charger connected.
How do I hard reset my Chromebook?+
Turn it off, press and hold Refresh and tap Power, and release Refresh when it starts up. For some models Google lists other steps such as unplugging power or removing the battery.
What is the verification bypass sequence?+
A key sequence for a completely blank screen: hold Power, double-tap Refresh, release Power, and repeat. It can erase user data and an administrator can block it.
How do I reset a tablet-style Chromebook?+
Press and hold Volume Up and Power for at least 10 seconds, then release them, per Google's article.
Will a hard reset delete my files?+
It might delete some files in the Downloads folder, per Google, so back up first.
Should I try developer mode?+
No. It erases data and turns off protections. Use the hard reset and recovery steps instead.