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Fix a Chromebook that has display that is sideways

We'll change orientation in Settings, check rotation lock, and rule out accelerometer issues—or tell you when to call support.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Chromebook
  • External monitor (if using one)
Step 1 of 4

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Steps

Goal: Change orientation in Settings and rule out rotation lock or accelerometer issues.

  • Confirm the display shows the image sideways—rotated 90 degrees.
  • Good: You have confirmed the symptom. Proceed to Change orientation.
  • Bad: Unclear—open Settings > Device > Displays and check Orientation.

Change orientation

Goal: Set the display to the correct orientation.

  • Settings > Device > Displays. Find Orientation. Select Landscape, Portrait, Landscape (flipped), or Portrait (flipped) to match how you hold the device.
  • Good: The display shows the correct orientation. Done.
  • Bad: Still sideways—check rotation lock and restart.

Rotate the device

Goal: On convertibles, let the accelerometer correct the orientation.

  • Turn off rotation lock in Quick Settings. Physically rotate the Chromebook 90 degrees. The accelerometer should detect the new orientation and rotate the display.
  • Good: The display corrects when you hold the Chromebook in the desired orientation.
  • Bad: Still sideways—change orientation manually in Settings, then restart.

Restart and Powerwash

Goal: Reset stuck orientation.

  • Restart the Chromebook. Recheck Settings > Device > Displays.
  • If the display stays sideways, Powerwash. Back up data first. Settings > Advanced > Reset settings > Powerwash.
  • Good: Display is correct after restart or Powerwash.
  • Bad: Still sideways—call support. The accelerometer or display hardware may need repair.

When to get help

Call support if:

  • The display stays sideways after restart and Powerwash.
  • Orientation will not change in Settings.

Verification

  • The display shows the correct orientation when you hold the Chromebook.
  • Orientation persists after restart.
  • Rotation lock is off if you want automatic rotation on convertibles.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Change orientation Settings > Device > Displays. Select Portrait or Landscape (or flipped).
  2. Rotation lock Turn off rotation lock; rotate device.
  3. Restart Restart and recheck orientation.
  4. Powerwash Powerwash if orientation stuck.
  5. Call support Display stays sideways—accelerometer or hardware may need repair.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Chromebook model
  • Built-in or external display
  • Steps already tried

Is the display sideways?

Image rotated 90 degrees—portrait in landscape or vice versa.

Confirm the symptom. Sideways: change orientation in Settings. Correct: no action needed.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Change orientation in Settings

Settings > Device > Displays > Orientation.

Settings > Device > Displays. Select Portrait, Landscape, or flipped variant to correct sideways. Corrected: done. Still sideways: check rotation lock and restart.

Yes (fixed) No

You can change your answer later.

Restart and test

Restart the Chromebook. Recheck orientation. If still sideways, Powerwash or call support.

Done

Display correct

The display shows the correct orientation.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a Chromebook display be sideways?
Orientation set to Portrait when you want Landscape, or vice versa. Or the accelerometer detected the wrong orientation. Change orientation in Settings. Restart if stuck.
Can I fix sideways display myself?
Yes. Settings > Device > Displays. Change Orientation to Portrait or Landscape (or flipped variants) to correct it. Restart if needed.
When should I call support for sideways display?
If orientation will not change after restart and Powerwash—the accelerometer or display hardware may need repair.

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