To freeze the screen on a Chromebook, press Launcher + L. The screen locks, and the keyboard, touchscreen and trackpad stop doing anything until you unlock it with your password, PIN or fingerprint. ChromeOS doesn’t have a separate freeze button, so locking is what you want.
Applies to: all Chromebooks and ChromeOS tablets. The Launcher key is the one where Caps Lock would normally be, marked with a magnifying glass or a circle. You’ll also see it called the Search key in older guides and the Everything button on some newer models.
What does “freeze the screen” mean on a Chromebook?
Depends who’s asking. Most people want the screen to stop reacting while they wipe it down or pass the laptop to a kid, and locking handles that. Some want a still image on the display, maybe for a prank, which a full-screen screenshot does. And some have a Chromebook that froze on its own. If that’s you, go to the unfreeze steps.
How do I freeze the screen with the keyboard?
- Press Launcher + L.
- Wait for the lock screen. From here on, nothing you press reaches your open windows.
- When you’re ready to get back in, type your password or PIN, or touch the fingerprint sensor.
Your tabs and apps stay open behind the lock screen, downloads carry on, and music keeps playing. There are play and pause controls on the lock screen if you need them. Our Chromebook lock screen guide has a few other ways to lock.
How do I freeze the screen without a keyboard?
Tap the clock in the bottom-right corner to open Quick Settings, then tap the lock icon. On a tablet it’s often quicker to hold the power button and pick Lock.
How do I make the screen look frozen but stay unlocked?
Take a screenshot and open it full screen. Everything underneath keeps running.
- Press Ctrl + Show windows to take a screenshot. Show windows is the key with a rectangle and two lines next to it.
- Open the Files app. Screenshots go to Downloads unless you’ve changed that.
- Double-click the screenshot.
- Press the full-screen key in the top row.
- Press Esc or the full-screen key again to get out.
Just don’t count on it to keep anyone out. One press of Esc and the trick is over.
What doesn’t work?
Dimming the brightness to zero is a common one. The screen goes black, but it still takes every tap, and a toddler can happily open and close apps on it.
Closing the lid puts the Chromebook to sleep, which is fine until someone opens it again. Unless it’s set to lock on sleep, you’re straight back at the desktop. Lock it before you shut it.
Ctrl + Alt + Delete won’t help either. It’s a Windows habit, and ChromeOS doesn’t use it to lock. There’s also no freeze or keyboard-lock option anywhere in Settings.
How do I unfreeze a Chromebook that is stuck?
Start with the mildest fix and work down the list.
- Give it half a minute. A heavy web page can tie things up for a while.
- Press Launcher + Esc to open Task Manager. Sort by memory, select the worst offender and click End process.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Q twice to sign out. Anything unsaved is lost.
- Hold the power button until the screen goes off, then turn it back on.
- If none of that works, hold Refresh + Power to do a hard reset. Tablets use Volume up + Power, held for about 10 seconds.
Google warns that a hard reset may delete some files in Downloads, which is why it’s last on the list. If your Chromebook freezes often, our guide on fixing a Chromebook that keeps freezing digs into the causes.
FAQ
What is the shortcut to freeze a Chromebook screen?
Launcher + L. It locks the screen until you sign back in.
Does freezing the screen close my tabs?
No. Everything stays open, and you’ll find it as you left it when you unlock.
Can I freeze only the touchscreen and keep the keyboard working?
Not through Settings. There’s a debugging shortcut that does it, but you have to enable a flag first. See how to turn off the touchscreen.
Why can’t I unlock my school Chromebook after locking it?
You need the password for your school account, not your personal Google one. If that doesn’t work, your school’s IT staff will have to reset it.
The short version
Press Launcher + L to lock the screen and sign back in to unlock it. If you just want a still picture, open a screenshot full screen. If the Chromebook froze on its own, try Task Manager before you restart.
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