Change your Chromebook's display language in Settings

Open the Settings app on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then clicking the gear icon. In the left menu, select Languages and input. Under the "Languages" section, you'll see your current language listed. Click Add languages to see the full list of available languages.

Find the language you want and click it. A window will pop up asking if you want to display Chromebook in that language. Click Display Chromebook in [language name]. Your Chromebook will ask you to sign out and sign back in to apply the change. Click Restart, and when you log back in, everything will be in your new language.

If you change your mind later, you can switch back the same way. Go to Settings, Languages and input, and select a different language from the list that's already there. You don't need to add it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings from the time display in the bottom right corner, then go to Languages and input to find your language options.
  • Click Add languages to browse the full list, then select the language you want and confirm that you want to display your Chromebook in it.
  • Your Chromebook will restart automatically, and all menus, buttons, and system text will appear in your chosen language after you sign back in.
  • Switching back to a different language uses the same process and takes less than a minute.

What happens when you change the language

When you change your Chromebook's language, the change affects the entire system. This includes the Settings menu, the taskbar at the bottom, notification text, and any built-in Google apps like Gmail, Google Drive, and Chrome itself. Websites you visit will still display in their own language settings unless you change your browser language separately.

Your files and documents don't change. A document you created in English will still contain English text if that's what you typed. The language setting only controls what language the Chromebook itself speaks to you through its menus and system messages.

Adding multiple languages without switching

You can add languages to your Chromebook without making them your main display language. In Settings under Languages and input, click Add languages and select any language you want. Don't click the button to display your Chromebook in that language — just close the window instead.

These added languages appear in your language list and let you use them for spell-check, keyboard input, and translation tools. This is useful if you write in multiple languages but want your system menus to stay in English, or vice versa.

Changing your keyboard language separately

Your keyboard language is different from your display language. You can type in French while your menus stay in English, for example. In Settings, go to Languages and input, then scroll down to Input method. Click Add input method to see keyboard layouts for different languages.

Once you add a keyboard, a small icon appears in the taskbar at the bottom right. Click it to switch between keyboard layouts while you type. This is faster than changing your whole system language if you only need to type in a different language occasionally.

Troubleshooting language changes that don't stick

If you change your language but it reverts after you restart, your Chromebook may not have finished applying the change. Sign out completely (not just closing the window), wait a few seconds, and sign back in. This gives the system time to save your language preference to your Google account.

If the language still doesn't stick, try removing the language and adding it again. Go to Settings, Languages and input, find the language in your list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. Then add it again and restart. If you're still having trouble, restart your entire Chromebook by holding the power button for a few seconds.

Changing the language for just one user account

If multiple people use your Chromebook, each person can have their own language setting. When you sign in with your Google account, your language preference comes with you. When someone else signs in with their account, their language setting takes over.

This means you can have English, your family member can have Spanish, and a guest can have Mandarin — each person sees their own language when they log in. Each account stores its own language choice on Google's servers, so the setting follows that person whether they use your Chromebook or a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect my Google account on other devices?

No. Your Chromebook's language setting is separate from your Google account settings. You can change your Chromebook to French while your phone stays in English. If you want to change the language across all your Google devices, you'd do that in your Google Account settings, not on the Chromebook.

Can I change the language of just one app instead of the whole system?

Most built-in Google apps like Gmail and Drive follow your system language automatically. Some third-party apps have their own language settings inside the app itself. Check the app's settings menu to see if it offers a language option separate from your Chromebook's system language.

What if I don't see my language in the list?

Chromebooks support most major languages, but less common regional languages may not be available. Check the full list by clicking Add languages — the search box at the top lets you type to find your language faster. If it's truly not there, your Chromebook may not support it.

Do I need to restart my Chromebook every time I change the language?

Yes, Chromebooks require a restart to apply language changes. The system will prompt you to restart when you select a new display language. This usually takes less than a minute, and your files and apps will be exactly where you left them when you sign back in.

Can I set different languages for different parts of the system?

Your display language controls the entire system interface. However, you can add multiple keyboard layouts and spell-check languages without changing your display language. This lets you type in different languages while keeping your menus in one language.