A Chromebook that will not charge is usually addressed in a fixed order: verify the outlet and charger, give a deeply discharged battery time to charge, then do the hardware reset for your model. Do not start with a factory reset: that erases your files and rarely fixes charging.
The fixes, in order
Check the outlet, charger, and charging light. Plug the charger firmly into the Chromebook and the wall. Try a different wall outlet, and try a different charger if you have one. Watch the charging light: if it comes on, the Chromebook is receiving power. Check the cable and adapter for damage, and do not use a damaged charger.
Give a depleted Chromebook time. A battery that is deeply discharged can look completely dead. If the charging light is on, leave the Chromebook connected and do not keep pressing the power button. Google advises letting it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn it on again.
Do a hardware reset. This clears a stuck hardware state and does not erase your files. The exact keys depend on the model, so check Google Chromebook Help for your model, but the common methods are: press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds with the charger disconnected, then reconnect the charger; or press Refresh and Power together. Some models have a small pinhole reset button on the bottom: press it gently with a paper clip.
Try a different USB-C port. Many Chromebooks charge through more than one USB-C port. Try each one, and try a different USB-C cable.
Check for damage. If the port is loose, bent, or corroded, or the charger only works at one angle, the port is probably damaged and needs professional repair.
Update ChromeOS. If the Chromebook turns on but will not charge, check for a ChromeOS update: charging and power management bugs are fixed in updates.
Powerwash is a last resort, not a first step. Powerwash is the ChromeOS factory reset, and it erases all user data on the Chromebook, including files in the Downloads folder. Back up local files first, and only use it after the hardware reset has failed. A Chromebook managed by a school or workplace cannot be reset by the user: ask the administrator.
If it still will not charge or turn on
If charging for 30 minutes and a hardware reset do not restore it, the next step is Chromebook Recovery, which reinstalls ChromeOS from a USB drive and also erases the drive. If recovery does not resolve it, the battery, charging port, or board is at fault, and the Chromebook needs manufacturer service. Note that there is no dedicated official article for Chromebook charging alone: Google documents these steps under its hardware troubleshooting and hardware reset help pages, and the steps above follow that official sequence.
Common questions
How long should I charge a dead Chromebook before trying to turn it on? At least 30 minutes. A deeply discharged battery can look completely dead, and Google advises leaving the Chromebook connected for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn it on again.
Will a hardware reset erase my files? No. A hardware reset only clears a stuck hardware state. Powerwash is the factory reset that erases user data, and it is a separate, later step. Do not substitute a factory reset for the model-specific hardware reset.
My Chromebook charges only when the cable is held at an angle. What is wrong? The charging port is probably worn or damaged, or the cable is failing. Try a different cable and a different USB-C port first. If the port itself is loose, it needs professional repair.