Chromebook not holding charge. Need urgent help for students on covid-19 lockdown.

[Manawa]

Chromebook is not turning on and as as a result, is not holding its charge.
This is what I've tried so far.

• The charger that I'm using definitely works. It's a mini USB charger 
• Refresh + power x5 - LED orange comes on for 1 sec and then turns off
• Hold the refresh button and then push the power button to await a response
  • Response 1 after pushing down the power button - orange LED for 1 sec and then turned off 
  • Response 2 after pushing down the power button - orange LED for 1 sec and then turned off 
  • Response 3 after pushing down the power button - green LED for 1 sec and then turned off 
• Opened the case to make sure that the cables are connected - They seemed to be. 
  
  Any help would be very much appreciated, as these are Chromebooks are for students who are distance learning from home.   

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Manawa Do you hear the fans running when the power button is used to turn on the device? if not, click here to troubleshoot

If not, try the below steps:

Step 1: Remove external devices

If the Chromebook does not start, remove any USB devices, and remove memory cards from the card reader slot. Disconnect all non-essential devices including external hard drives and other similar devices.

After you have removed all external devices, turn on the Chromebook.

• If the computer starts, reconnect devices one at a time, and restart the Chromebook each time you connect another device to figure out which device is causing the problem. You are done.

• If the unit still does not start or exhibits the same problem, go to the next step to perform a hard reset.

Step 2: Perform a hard reset

A hard or forced reset erases all information in the computer memory. This forces the system to clear and reestablish the software connections between the BIOS and the hardware.

A hard reset does not remove any local files or settings.

1. Press the power button  and refresh  button for five seconds. The computer turns off, and then turns on again.

2. If necessary, press power button again to turn on the laptop.

3. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE & SKIP TO STEP 3 ONWARD

(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[Manawa]

@ Riddle_Decipher

 Chromebook Images  

Thank you so much for all your help. I did the following:

1. Took the back panel off
2. Disconnected all cables 
3. Plugged one cable and then pushed power, and did this consecutively for every cable. If this didn't work, I would push refresh + power x5, then power. However, the power LED wouldn't light up until everything was connected. 
4. Another observation was that when the power LED light came on, it would cycle on with these lights
   1. Orange LED for 1 second, Amber 1 second, Green 1 second and then Red 1 second. 
5. I started getting excited when the oranged light stayed on for about 30 seconds and then I moved the Chromebook and then the light went away Arhhh! Frustrating. 

This whole troubleshooting process took me about 2 hours, trying the above and researching forums and watching Youtube videos. I have about 50 Chromebooks back at school with similar problems. Unfortunately, I can't go into school as our whole country in New Zealand is in lock-down. We're not a rich school and so I saved all the damaged Chromebooks with cracked screens etc in the hope of repairing these one day. The lock-down has allowed me to do this safely while at home.   

My thinking was the following

1. Troubleshooting the power-issue first. If this doesn't work, no point in carrying on. 
   1. We will look at the cost of a replacement battery but will test with one only.   
2. Use an external monitor with a Cracked screen as I can get 2nd hand, external monitors, for $10.
3. Another problem with this particular Chromebook is that it has no video RGB or HDMI outlet only USB. So we're trying to get support from one of our parents who have skills in electronics to rig up a cable from USB to RGB or HDMI so that this can plug into an external monitor (I'm not sure that this is possible without a converter though) Will see. 

Remember we're not a rich school which is why we're trying to fix these 50 Chromebooks on a poor man's budget for our students. I am learning heaps about this though, but my knowledge is limited when it comes to electronics. 

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Manawa If none of that worked, and you've got other devices to be repaired, I suggest you talk to HP support and discuss your options, follow the below steps to get started:

1) Click on this link - http://www.hp.com/contacthp/

2) Click on Sign-in or select the product using the below step:

3) Enter the serial of your device.

4) Select the country from the drop-down.

5) Click on "Show Options".

Fill the web-form, to populate a case number and phone number for yourself!

Also, if you are having trouble navigating through the above options, it's most likely because the device is out of warranty, if yes? please send me a private message with the region you are contacting us from, 

here's how private messages work: Click here for details.

If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.