If you’re someone who uses a Chromebook frequently, you know how important it is to keep your device secure. One of the easiest ways to do this is by locking the screen when you step away from your computer. However, not everyone knows how to do this on their Chromebook. That’s why I’ve put together this article on 3 super quick ways to lock the Chromebook screen.
Again, there are three different methods and all of them are quick. By the end of the article, you will find at least one locking method you liked the most. For me, the last method is the easiest but feel free to try the first and second methods.
Here we go!
Table of Contents
Use the locking keyboard shortcut
To lock the Chromebook device, you can press and hold the Launcher and L keys simultaneously for roughly two seconds. After that, the device would be transitioned to the locked mode. As a side note, the Launcher key is located between the Tab and Shift keys, sometimes referred to as the Search button or even Capslock.
On many Chromebook models, you can find a dedicated lock key somewhere on the upper row of the keyboard. In my case, it’s located at the upper right corner of the keyboard interface. Pressing that key for two seconds will lock the device instantly.
Lock automatically when the lid is closed
Another fast method to lock your Chromebook is by closing its lid. By default, Chromebook will only turn off the screen without actually securing itself. Thankfully, we can change the setting so that every time the lid is closed, the device is locked.
Here’s how.
1. Go to the Launcher menu and click Settings.
2. On the left side menu, navigate to Security and Privacy. Then tap the option that says Lock screen and sign-in.
3. Enter your Google account’s password and hit Confirm.
4. Enable the Lock when sleeping or lid is closed.
5. Lastly, try to close the lid and see it in action.
The setting will also put your Chromebook locked when it’s entering sleep mode. When running on a battery, the device will go sleep in 10 minutes. But when it’s plugged in, it will enter the mode in 30 minutes.
FAQ about locking a Chromebook
How do you lock your Chromebook with the keyboard?
To lock your Chromebook with the keyboard, simply press the Launcher + L keys at the same time. This will immediately lock your device and require you to enter your password to unlock it. Additionally, you can also press the lock key located at the upper right corner of the Chromebook’s keyboard.
How do I lock my stolen Chromebook?
If your Chromebook has been stolen, locking it is the first step to protect your personal information. To do so, go to the Google Admin Console and select “Devices” from the dashboard. Find your stolen Chromebook and click on “Lock” to remotely lock the device. You can also add a message with contact information for the person who finds it.
However, I should mention to you that this is only possible for a Chromebook owned by an organization (like a school or company). From my research, I haven’t found any way for a personal user to lock their stolen Chromebook remotely. That’s such a shame considering Android already has a such feature.
Can I lock my child’s Chromebook?
Yes, you can lock your child’s Chromebook. Chromebooks have various parental control features built-in that allow parents to manage their children’s online activities. You can create a supervised user account for your child and set restrictions on what websites they can access, monitor their browsing history, and lock their device remotely.
You can set up the control by going to Launcher > Settings > Accounts > Parental controls > Set up and then following the instructions on the screen.
How do I lock my Chromebook without closing the lid?
Well, as I mentioned earlier you can lock your Chromebook with the keyboard, simply press the Launcher + L keys at the same time or use the dedicated locking key on the upper row of the keyboard (it has a padlock icon).
