Known issues

Known issue

From time to time, Sandisk or other USB drives might not work as installers. Potential USB drive issues include:

• USB cannot be written to. For example, it halts writing at 0%.
• Even though the USB installer is successfully created, the device doesn't boot.
• The device doesn’t install ChromeOS Flex and fails with error code 1.
• The device starts the installation but then stalls.
• The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) file is not visible on the USB drive.

Workaround

• Format your USB drive and recreate your USB installer.
• Try a USB drive from a different manufacturer.

Related topics

• Format your USB drive
• Create the USB installer

Known issue

Internal speakers automatically mute while 1/8 inch headphones are plugged into devices, even if you use audio settings to select internal speakers for output.

Workaround

Unplug the 1/8 inch headphones from the device.

Known issue

When using multiple monitors, high resolution displays that are 2560 by 1440p or greater might not be able to use mirror mode, even if extended mode works on the same monitor. You might see a blank screen, frozen image, or other issues, depending on the device.

Known issue

Desktops with integrated Intel GPUs and an added discrete GPU in an expansion slot might not be able to output video from the expansion slot’s video output ports.

Workaround

On devices with multiple GPUs, use integrated video output ports.

Known issue

Even on devices whose BIOS or UEFI settings support SD cards as bootable devices, you might not be able to use SD or microSD cards to boot ChromeOS Flex.

Workaround

Use a USB drive.

Known issue

ChromeOS Flex cannot install if internal storage—such as HDD, SSD, and so on—is set to RAID mode.

Workaround

Before you install ChromeOS Flex on devices, switch BIOS or UEFI settings from RAID to AHCI.

1. Open the BIOS settings menu.
2. Find the menu for RAID and AHCI settings, typically under Storage.
3. Make sure that RAID is set to Disabled or switch from RAID to AHCI.
4. Save the settings and exit the BIOS settings menu.
5. Re-install ChromeOS Flex on the device. For instructions, see Boot device using the USB installer and Start using ChromeOS Flex.

Known issue

These Wi-Fi chipsets are currently not supported on ChromeOS Flex:

• Killer ax500 (also known as Qualcomm QCA3690)
• MEDIATEK Corp. MT7902

Known issue

Devices using Nvidia GPUs are likely to be unstable and exhibit display flickering when under heavy GPU load.

• Devices using the Quadro NVS 4200M are not recommended for use.

Multiple generations of Intel GPUs are unsupported on ChromeOS Flex and will not boot it.

• Intel Generation 3 and older, including GMA 900, 950, 3100, 3150
• Intel PowerVR graphics, including GMA 500, 600, 3600, 3650

Known issue

ChromeOS Flex provides the option to live boot, running the OS directly from your USB drive without actually installing it. Live boot keeps your device's current data and OS, so you can test ChromeOS Flex before you install it. Live booting is only recommended for temporary exploration or testing.

When you run ChromeOS Flex from USB, you might experience the following limitations:

• Lowered performance
• Storage space limitations and warnings
• No OS updates
• Hardware issues, such as sleep and resume malfunction
• Connectivity issues
• Devices cannot be enrolled

Workaround

We strongly recommend full installation for the best ChromeOS Flex experience.

Known issue

We only test and maintain ChromeOS Flex on certified models. For important notes or issues specific to individual certified models, go to the Certified models list.

Known issue

• Only x86_64 architecture devices can run ChromeOS Flex. 32-bit x86 and ARM devices are not supported.
• Mac devices with Touch Bar, T2 security chip, or M1 processor are unsupported and likely to have major bugs even if they work.
• Unless listed as a certified model, Microsoft Surface products are unsupported and likely to have issues with keyboards, touchpads, touchscreens, and webcams.
• Linux development environment
  • ChromeOS Flex only supports Linux development environment on devices that meet security and hardware capability requirements.
  • You might need to turn on BIOS or UEFI settings for VT-x, VT-d, or other virtualization settings.
  • You might need to turn off hyper-threading using BIOS or UEFI settings

Known issue

ChromeOS Flex cannot be enrolled for use in Chromebox for Meetings mode.

Related topics

• Welcome to Google Meet hardware

Known issue

PhoneHub and QuickShare are not supported on ChromeOS Flex.