DISTRICTS: HOW TO PREPARE CHROMEBOOKS FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE

As the school year kicks off, we’re seeing an influx of Chromebooks with dead batteries. Today we’re sharing best practices from Google for long-term storage and getting your Chromebooks ready for school. Following these tips can help save your district time and money! (Read more from Google)

Prepare Chromebooks for long-term storage

1. Charge your Chromebooks so that the battery is at least 80% full. This ensures that even when the battery discharges while unplugged over the summer, it won’t fully run out of power.
   
2. To slow the discharge rate during storage, do not physically remove the battery from the Chromebook for storage. Instead, take the following steps:
   
   • Connect the device to a charger and turn it on.
   • Hold Refresh  and Power  at the same time.
   • While holding these keys, remove the power cable from device and then release the keys.
     The device should shut down and remain off.
   • Confirm the battery disconnect worked by pressing the power button.
     The device should not power on, despite having a battery charge. The Chromebook won’t power on by touching the power button or opening the lid, until you plug the device back to a power source.

This is the ideal way to store devices. It reduces battery discharge to a minimum, prevents constant charge and discharge from reducing the battery life, and keeps the Chromebook in a stable, powered-off state.

Note: If you can’t put your model of Chromebook into the battery disconnect state described above, charge the battery to at least 80%. Then, turn off the Chromebook, unplug it from a power source, and store it in a cool, dry place.

Get your Chromebooks ready for school

A week before classes resume, get the Chromebooks ready for students.

1. Connect the Chromebooks to a charger and a power source. This will get them out of the battery disconnect state.
2. Power up your devices.
3. Connect your Chromebooks to Wi-Fi and update them to the latest Chrome OS release. This can take time, as multiple Chrome OS versions might have been released since the last time the device was updated. 

Why is it important to prepare Chromebooks for Long-Term Storage?

• Saves time and money: By properly storing Chromebooks over the summer or other extended breaks, you can avoid the cost and hassle of dealing with dead or damaged batteries when school resumes. This can save your district time and money on repairs and replacements.
• Protects device lifespan: Storing Chromebooks in a battery disconnect state can help reduce battery discharge and prevent constant charging and discharging, which can impact the device’s lifespan. Properly storing Chromebooks can help prolong their usability and avoid premature replacement.
• Ensures a smooth start to the school year: By preparing Chromebooks for students before the start of the school year, you can ensure a smooth and efficient start to classes. This can help reduce the amount of time and resources spent on troubleshooting or setting up devices during the busy first few weeks of school.
• Supports student learning: When Chromebooks are properly stored and maintained, they are more likely to be available and fully functional when students need them for learning. This can help ensure that students have access to the technology they need to succeed academically.

Chromebook Storage Tips

• Charge the battery: Before storing a Chromebook for an extended period, make sure to charge the battery to at least 80%. This can help prevent the battery from fully discharging during storage and can help ensure that the device is ready to use when you need it again.
• Store in a cool, dry place: When storing a Chromebook, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place. Avoid areas with high humidity, extreme temperatures, or direct sunlight, as these conditions can damage the device.
• Keep the battery connected: To slow the discharge rate during storage, it’s best to keep the battery connected to the Chromebook. If you need to store the device without the battery, make sure to charge it to at least 80% before removing it.
• Use the battery disconnect state: If your Chromebook supports it, use the battery disconnect state to store the device. This can help reduce battery discharge and prevent constant charging and discharging, which can impact the device’s lifespan.
• Power off the device: When storing a Chromebook for an extended period, make sure to power it off completely. This can help conserve battery life and reduce the risk of damage from power surges or other electrical issues.

We help districts of all sizes with student/teacher Lenovo, HP, and Acer Chromebook device repair and maintenance. Ask us about our summer services which will have your devices ready to go at the start of a new year!

Email ALWAYSLEARNING@LEXICONK12.COM.