Chromebooks are affordable devices that offer the functionality of a laptop with the use cases of an Android tablet. Since it can access and download apps from the Google Play Store, users might think that Chromebooks run on some Android version, but that is not true. Instead, Chromebooks run on an operating system called ChromeOS.

Like other operating systems such as Windows and macOS, ChromeOS also contains a set of features that need to be upgraded with time. Hence, developers keep releasing new updates which carry features that improve the user experience. While some users habitually update their operating system to the latest version, some prefer working on the current version because they are comfortable with it.

Related: How To Check Usage & Free Up Storage Space On Chromebooks

However, the minor updates released between versions do not change the overall look and feel of the operating system. The same applies to ChromeOS, the Chromium-based operating system that runs web apps on Google Chromebooks. As light as it is, even ChromeOS requires regular software updates to fix any prevailing issues or add new features. Most Chromebooks download an update as soon as it is available and wait for the user to initiate installation. If this does not work, users can also check for updates manually.

Check For Updates Manually On A Chromebook

Check storage on Chromebook

To check for an update, Chromebook users should connect the device to a Wi-Fi connection, open Settings via the clock at the bottom right, and select 'About ChromeOS.' Here, users can check the current version of the operating system on their device under 'Google ChromeOS.' If users want to see whether they are using the latest version of ChromeOS or not, they should click on 'Check for updates.' If Google has released any ChromeOS update, the Chromebook will automatically find it and start downloading. Users should note that if they have connected their Chromebook with their phone's hotspot, they will be warned about the total amount of data needed to download the update.

Some users might face trouble downloading the ChromeOS update — the update neither shows nor downloads. Google advises such users to reboot their Chromebook. Secondly, if users' mobile hotspot is the problem, they should disconnect and locate a Wi-Fi network nearby. Finally, a Chromebook might be unable to download an update due to lack of storage, so checking it is a good idea. In the end, if users cannot update their Chromebook, they should reset the device to restore all the default settings.

Next: How To Set Up Linux On Your Chromebook

Source: Google