Chrome OS-based Chromebook laptops are hard to beat for their low price, small form factor, and ease of use. Roatating the screen on a Chromebook is a simple and useful feature. You can flip your display in a few different ways. Although the method using the keyboard is the quickest, the other allows for more precise adjustments. This process will be automated on tablets and 2-in-1 computers. Here’s a quick guide to rotating the screen on a Chromebook:
Short Answer
A quick way to rotate your screen if you’re using a Chromebook by 90 degrees is to press Ctrl + Shift + Refresh on your keyboard.
Why Rotate the Screen on a Chromebook?
There are a few reasons why you might want to rotate the screen on your Chromebook:
- To get a better view of a website or app. Some websites and apps are designed to be viewed in landscape or portrait mode.
- To improve your gaming experience. Some games look and play better in landscape mode, while others look and play better in portrait mode.
- To use your Chromebook as a tablet. If you have a 2-in-1 Chromebook, you can rotate the screen to tablet mode for a more immersive experience.
How to Rotate a Chromebook’s Screen
Screen rotation can be extremely useful in a variety of situations. Screen rotation allows access to specific applications or the ability to view content in landscape on many mobile phones and tablets.
Because Chromebooks are a cross between a traditional laptop and a mobile device, screen rotation is always useful. Fortunately, most Chromebook tablets allow you to rotate your screen quickly, easily, and automatically. On the other hand, there are several manual methods for rotating your screen.
#1. Rotate the Screen on Your Chromebook Using a Keyboard Shortcut
The simplest way to rotate the screen on your Chromebook while in laptop mode is to use a keyboard shortcut. This is how it works:
- To rotate the screen, press “Ctrl + Shift + Refersh” on your Chrome OS keyboard. The Reload button is located in the top row, just above the 3 or 4 number keys.
- A pop-up will appear on your screen asking if you want to rotate the screen. In the pop-up window, simply click the “Continue” button.
- The screen on your Chromebook will now rotate 90 degrees to the left.
- Continue to press the same keyboard shortcut, and the screen will rotate through various orientations. By pressing the shortcut four times, you can return to the original orientation.
#2. Rotate the Screen on Your Touchscreen Chromebook (Tablet Mode)
You can easily rotate the screen freely depending on your current orientation if you use your Chromebook as a tablet. It is necessary to enable the “Auto-rotate” feature, which is common on mobile devices. So here’s how you can go about it:
- From the bottom-right corner, open the Quick Settings panel.
- Next, ensure that “Auto-rotate” is enabled. Tap on “Lock (Horizontal)” to change the quick settings toggle to “Auto-rotate.” This option is only available in tablet mode.
- If the quick settings toggle displays “Lock (Vertical),” tap it and change the setting to “Auto-rotate.”
- That’s all there is to it. When you rotate your Chromebook in a specific direction, the screen orientation will change accordingly.
#3. Change the Screen Orientation From Settings on a Chromebook
In addition to the two methods listed above, you can rotate the Chromebook screen from the Settings page.
- Open the Quick Settings panel by tapping the settings (gear) icon in the upper right corner.
- Then, from the left side pane, navigate to “Device” settings and then to the “Displays” section in the right panel.
- Select the angle from the dropdown next to the “Orientation” setting, and the screen will rotate accordingly. Select the “0-degrees (Default)” option to return the screen to its original orientation.
How to Flip a Chromebook’s Second Display
These techniques are also applicable to secondary displays. The keyboard command still works if you have a second display connected. Because the rotation orientation is determined by the location of the cursor, you must move your cursor to the display you want to rotate.
Each display will have its own tab within Settings > Devices > Displays. To change the orientation of a single screen, click on either tab.
Other Chromebook Screen Rotation Notes
When you change the orientation of your screen, the setting is remembered even after a restart. If the Chromebook is a 2-in-1, the only way to change the orientation is to flip it into tablet mode.
It’s also worth noting that the track pad’s orientation and directions change. When you move your finger up on the track pad after rotating the screen 90 degrees, the cursor will move toward the top of the screen, indicating that it will move from left to right. Needless to say, this can be perplexing, so be prepared. This is made easier to correct by using a Chromebook with a touchscreen.
How do I restore normal screen rotation on my Chromebook?
To turn your screen back to normal, use the Shift + Ctrl + Refresh button shortcut.”
Why Can’t I Rotate My Chromebook Screen?
There are a few possible reasons why you might not be able to rotate your Chromebook screen:
- Your Chromebook may not be up to date. Make sure that you have the latest version of Chrome OS installed.
- Your Chromebook may not be compatible with screen rotation. Check your Chromebook’s manufacturer website to see if your device supports screen rotation.
- The app or website you’re using may not support screen rotation. Try rotating the screen on a different app or website to see if that works.
How do I rotate my Chromebook screen to tablet mode?
To rotate your Chromebook screen to tablet mode, you need to have a 2-in-1 Chromebook. 2-in-1 Chromebooks have a flexible hinge that allows you to rotate the screen 360 degrees.
To rotate your Chromebook screen to tablet mode:
- Hold your Chromebook so that the keyboard is facing down.
- Rotate the screen 360 degrees until it is facing up.
- Your Chromebook will automatically switch to tablet mode.
How do I rotate my Chromebook screen back to laptop mode?
To rotate your Chromebook screen back to laptop mode, simply rotate the screen 360 degrees until it faces down. Your Chromebook will automatically switch back to laptop mode.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble rotating your Chromebook’s screen, try the following:
- Make sure that your Chromebook is up to date. Outdated software can sometimes cause problems with screen rotation.
- Restart your Chromebook. This can often fix minor software glitches.
- Try rotating the screen on a different app or website. If the screen rotates on one app or website but not another, the problem may be with the app or website itself.
- If you’re still having trouble, contact Google customer support for assistance.
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