Home Learning

A Visual Walk Through: Can't Log In

Step 1: Make sure the Chromebook is Connected to your Wireless:

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Not Connected .
   Note: If you see your Wi-Fi network name and a signal strength, your Chromebook is already connected to Wi-Fi.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi. 
4. Your Chromebook will automatically look for available networks and show them to you in a list.
5. Select your Wireless network, enter the network password and select Connect.

Trouble Logging into a Website:

1. Verify with the teacher you have the correct website/URL and are using the right username and password. A common issue is mistyping "westsideunion.com" in student usernames.
2. If the website allows you to "Log in With Google" - try using that.
3. Clear the Browser Cache.
   1. On your computer, open Chrome.
   2. At the top right, click More .
   3. Click More tools  Clear browsing data.
   4. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
   5. Select the types of information you want to remove.
   6. Click Clear data.

On a personal device, for best results with District Curriculum and websites, we recommend using the Google Chrome browser. 

Trouble Logging into the Chromebook:

1. Verify you have the correct username and password. Student log in accounts are available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. A common issue is mistyping "westsideunion.com" in student usernames". 
2. The specific error message can help point you in the right direction. If it reads that your students' "Account is locked", this means there are too many failed attempts to log in. Wait 10-15 minutes and try again.

Remove the student profile from the Chromebook. Your student's data should be safe in their Google Drive, but any pictures or videos stored locally might be lost.

1. Sign-in screen
2. Select the profile you want to remove
3. Next to the profile name, select the Down arrow.
4. Select Remove this user.
5. Confirm Remove this user.

A Visual Walkthrough: Freezing or Slow

Issue in Zoom or Meet

Teleconferencing systems were never meant for the load schools and remote-workers are putting them through. School Chromebooks are light-weight personal computing devices and they weren't optimized for using these services all day, every day. We've collected a series of tips and workarounds to help improve your experience. Please be aware, these won't make the issues go away completely until the service providers enhance their systems and optimize for delivery to Chromebooks.

1. Switch to Speaker View (Zoom) - or Change your Layout (Meet); here are the layout options in Meet:
   • Auto—Allows Meet to choose the layout for you.
   • Tiled—Shows up to 16 people when there is no presentation.
     • Move your mouse to see participant names. 
     • If someone joins after the meeting starts, their image is at the bottom of the screen. 
     • Presentations appear in a large tile, with the most active participants to the side.
   • Spotlight—The presentation, active speaker, or pinned feed fills the window. 
   • Sidebar—You see the active speaker or presentation with additional participants on the side.

   • Tip: When you choose a new layout, your preference is automatically saved. To return to the default layout, click Auto.

2. Turn off your Mic and Camera unless/until you need to use them. Camera's are not required for attendance and can impact performance the greatest. Keep in touch with your teacher to make sure they know when and why you are turning them off. Turn them on when requested.

3. Request smaller groups with your Teacher. Large groups (10+) can cause lag and delay on Chromebooks

4. Limit multi-tasking, or doing a lot of other things in other tabs. Every tab opened takes away resources from your Zoom/Meet. Don't stream video or music or have a bunch of tabs open while on your video call.

5. Limit unnecessary household internet usage (like streaming TV/Netflix, Music, etc). Our homes are filled with Internet Of Things devices that eat up our limited wireless bandwidth. Use only what you need, when you need.

Reboot your Chromebook and Remove your Profile

To reboot your Chromebook, Press and hold Refresh  + tap Power , then release refresh.

Remove the student profile from the Chromebook. Your student's data should be safe in their Google Drive, but any pictures or videos stored locally might be lost.

1. Sign-in screen
2. Select the profile you want to remove
3. Next to the profile name, select the Down arrow.
4. Select Remove this user.
5. Confirm Remove this user.

A Visual Walkthrough: Screen Resolution/Size

Screen is Sideways, Upside Down or Rotated

HOLD Shift + Ctrl +  (press) Rotate  (release all keys) Until the screen orients correctly.

1. Open Chrome
2. Enter "chrome://settings/languages"
3. Select desired Language (Default should be set to "English")

A Visual Walkthrough: Won't Turn On

1. REBOOT your Chromebook, Press and hold Refresh  + tap Power , then release refresh.
2. Verify the Charger is connected:
   • Unplug Charger from Wall and Chromebook
   • Plug the outlet end into Wall and verify the light on the Power Brick illuminates.
   • Connect the other end into the Chromebook.
   • An orange or white/blue light (Depends on model) will show either next to the plug, or on the opposite side, of the Chromebook
3. Wait a few minutes and tap Power 
4. If it still won't turn on, but the light is on the power brick, your Chromebook might need a few minutes to get enough battery charge. Wait 15 minutes.
5. If it still won't turn on, plug the Chromebook into another outlet in a completely different room (to rule out issues in home).

If you are having problems with sound on your Chromebook, try the following suggestions:

Fix #1: Make sure the headphones are securely plugged in

Make sure you firmly insert and push the headphones in. Give it a good push until you hear a click.

Fix #2: Try a different set of headphones or earbuds

By connecting a different set you can determine if the problem lies with a pair of broken headphones rather than a problem with the Chromebook.

Fix #3: The “close lid” solution

1. Unplug the headphones.
2. Close the lid of the Chromebook and wait ten seconds.
3. Plug in the headphones.
4. Open the lid. The Chromebook will re-scan for audio devices and should find your headphones.  Or...
   1. Turn off the Chromebook.
   2. Plug in the headphones
   3. Turn on the Chromebook. The Chromebook will re-scan for audio devices on startup and should find headphones.

Fix #4: Check sound settings

In the lower right corner of the screen are a series of icons. Find and Click on your account picture at the very right. A window will appear displaying information about the Chromebook.

• Make sure that the audio is at a high volume and not muted. 
• Make sure that the destination output is set to either headphones if you want to listen through headphones, or speakers if you want to listen through speakers.

Fix #5: Clear the cache

Clearing the cache on the Chromebook can resolve some audio issues. To clear the cache do this:

1. Click on the chrome setting button called the ellipsis in the browser in the top right corner (it looks like three horizontal lines or 3 vertical dots.)
2. Click on Tools or More Tools and then Clear browsing Data, 
3. Select Advanced
4. Specify to clear information 'From the beginning of time'.
5. The option 'Empty the Cache' is related to sound troubleshooting.
6. Click 'Clear Browsing Data'
7. Turn the chrome book off and then on again and try the sound.