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Resetting Chrome Devices: “Chrome OS Is Missing or Damaged. Please Insert a Recovery USB Stick or SD Card” Error
Resetting Chrome Devices: “Chrome OS Is Missing or Damaged. Please Insert a Recovery USB Stick or SD Card” Error

How to troubleshoot the "Chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card" error message.

Updated over a month ago

Please read the following before beginning

Recovering your Chromebit or Chromebox:

When your Chrome device operating system (OS) isn’t working properly and you’re seeing this error message: "Chrome OS is missing or damaged", you can recover it. Recovery is removing and reinstalling the OS. Note: If you’re using a managed Chrome device, you can refer to your administrator for help. They will be the most immediate and direct contact to assist.

What you need to get started:

  • The Chrome device with the "Chrome OS is missing or damaged" error

  • Another computer; a Windows or Mac computer with Chrome installed

  • A USB flash drive that can hold at least 4 GB, and that you don't mind erasing.

Please Note: Recovery permanently erases everything on your Chromebit's and Chromeboxes’ storage

You can click here to watch a video tutorial that also outlines the same steps below in the article.

Step 1: Download a new copy of the OS

On the working computer:

1.1. If you're using a Mac or PC:

1.2. Open Chrome browser

1.3. Download the recovery app

1.4. Open the recovery app

1.5. Click Get started

1.6. Click Select a model from a list

1.7. Click Continue

1.8. Insert your USB flash drive into the computer.

1.9. In the dropdown menu, choose the USB flash drive you inserted

1.10. Click Continue

1.11. Click Create now

1.12. When you see a message saying that your recovery media is ready, remove the USB flash drive or SD card from the computer.

Step 2: Enter recovery mode

On the Chrome device with the error:

2.1. If you have anything connected to this device (such as a mouse or external hard drive), remove it.

2.2. Enter recovery mode:

Chromebook: Press and hold Esc + Refresh Refresh, then press Power Power. Let go of Power. When a message shows on the screen, let go of the other keys.

Chromebox: First, turn it off. Using a paper clip or similar object, press and hold the recovery button. Press the Power button to turn the Chromebox back on. When you see a message on screen, release the recovery button.

Chromebit: First, unplug it from power. Using a paper clip or similar object, press and hold the recovery button. Plug the Chromebit back in to power. When you see a message on screen, release the recovery button.

2.3. You'll see one of these messages:

  • "Chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card."

  • "Please insert a recovery USB stick or SD card."

2.4. Insert the USB flash drive or SD card that you used to create recovery media.

2.5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

You can also watch a step-by-step video below

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