ChromeOS includes a Diagnostics app that tests the battery, processor, memory and network. Here is how to use it, plus the checks that matter when buying a used Chromebook.
Open the Diagnostics app
- Open the launcher and search for Diagnostics, or go to Settings › About ChromeOS › Diagnostics.
- Under System, run the Battery, CPU and Memory tests.
- Open Connectivity for Wi-Fi and Ethernet tests, and Input for the keyboard and touchpad.
Check battery health in crosh
- Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open crosh.
- Type battery_test and press Enter.
- Check Battery health. 80% or higher is healthy.
Check the update expiration date
Open Settings › About ChromeOS › Additional details and check the Update schedule. After that date the Chromebook stops getting security updates, which matters a lot when buying used.
Buying a used Chromebook
Make sure it isn’t enrolled by a school or company. After a Powerwash (reset), a “This device is managed” or enterprise enrollment screen means it’s locked to that organization.
Test the hardware in Chrome
- Open the laptop test in Chrome. It checks the keyboard, touchpad, screen, speakers, microphone, webcam, battery, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth one after another.
- Use the dead pixel test in full screen and look for dark spots or bright edges.
- Plug in the charger and confirm it says Charging in the status area, then try each USB-C port.
- On a touch screen or 2-in-1 Chromebook, run the touch test and fold it into tablet mode to check the hinge.
Test the parts built-in tools miss
Manufacturer diagnostics check that hardware is connected, but they rarely test everything you use. The MxMob laptop test runs in the browser and checks each key on the keyboard, the trackpad, the webcam, speakers, microphone, real Wi-Fi speed, USB ports and overheating, then gives you a shareable report. Buying used? Follow the used laptop checklist.
Diagnostic guides for other brands
Frequently asked questions
Does the MxMob laptop test work on a Chromebook?
Yes. Open mxmob.com/laptop-test in Chrome. It tests the keyboard, touchpad, screen, speakers, microphone, webcam, battery, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and processor.
How do I check the keyboard on a Chromebook?
Use the Input section of the Diagnostics app or mxmob.com/keyboard-test. Chromebook top-row keys work as brightness and volume keys, so they may not light up in a browser test.
How do I know if a used Chromebook is managed by a school?
Before paying, ask the seller to Powerwash it (Settings › Reset settings). If it then shows an enterprise enrollment screen or “This device is managed by…”, it belongs to an organization and you can’t use it freely.
Is a Chromebook past its update date still usable?
It still works, but it no longer gets security updates and some websites and apps stop supporting it. Check the Update schedule and pay much less for one that is close to or past that date.