Troubleshooting Endpoint Management for Your ChromeOS Fleet

Endpoint management and verification are important features of Google Admin Console that allow you to access your organization's data and get details about the devices within your system. But sometimes, endpoints can have issues like the inability to sync or trouble with client certificate requests.

Let's explore the importance of endpoint verification and management and how you can resolve common problems.

Understanding Endpoint Management for Admin Console

As mentioned, endpoint management and verification allow administrators in your organization to control device access to your data and manage the devices that do. To activate endpoint verifications, you must install the Chrome browser, the Endpoint Verification extension, and potentially a helper app on your computer.

Once endpoint verification is installed, your Chrome browser is open, and you're signed into a managed Google account, administrators can see:

• Device ID, serial number, type, and operating system.
• User name and managed email address.
• The first and last time your computer synchronized work data (including encryption and if the device has a password).
• Whether your device follows organization policies (Chrome devices only).
• Administrators in your organization use endpoint verification to

Endpoint management helps maintain the security protocols for ChromeOS devices within the network. It provides a simple way to apply and enforce security policies across all devices, either at the top organizational unit selected or within the child organizational unit.

Top Issues Relating to Endpoint Management for ChromeOS

From sync issues to client certificate requests, varied problems can arise when managing endpoints on Google Admin Console. These issues might involve the parent or child organizational unit or revolve around the registry key.

A common issue with endpoint management and verification is the inability to sync. Let's review how to resolve this issue on macOS and Windows.

Can't Sync Because of a Keychain Authorization Error (macOS)

In the Chrome browser on a macOS device, you may get an error that endpoint verification cannot sync due to a Keychain authorization error. First, try logging out of your computer and signing in again. If this doesn't solve the issue, follow these steps:

1. On your Mac, open the Keychain Access application.
2. Click "login" on the left.
3. If the icon shows it's locked, right-click "Login" and then click Unlock Keychain "Login."
4. At the left, click "Passwords."
5. On the password list, double-click "Endpoint Verification Safe Storage."
6. Click "Access Control."
7. If "Confirm before allowing access" is selected:
8. Select "Allow all applications" to access this item and click "Save Changes."
9. In the Chrome browser toolbar, click "Endpoint Verification" and "Sync Now. If this is unsuccessful, continue to the next step.
10. If "Allow all applications to access this item" is already selected or the sync still returns an error:
11. In the Keychain Access app passwords list, right-click "Endpoint Verification Safe Storage" and click "Delete."
12. In Chrome, open the Endpoint Verification extension and click "Sync Now."

Can't Sync Because of a Data Protection API Error (Windows)

You may get an error in your Chrome browser that endpoint verification cannot sync due to a Data Protection API error. This can happen when S4U (Service for User) scheduled tasks run on your device.

To determine if S4U tasks are causing the error, follow these steps:

1. Lock the device screen.
2. Within 15 seconds, unlock the device screen.
3. Within 15 seconds, click Endpoint Verification in the Chrome browser toolbar, then click "Sync Now. If the sync is successful, the error is likely caused by an S4U task.

To identify S4U tasks and resolve the issue, follow the steps here.

Can't Sync Because Can't Recover Data Protection Key (Windows)

On Windows devices, you may get an error that Endpoint Verification cannot recover the data protection key and can't sync. This is also due to S4U scheduled tasks set to run on your device, but you have an earlier version of the Chrome browser. Click here to learn more about resolving this issue.

Preventing Future Issues in Endpoint Management for ChromeOS Devices

Preventing future issues with endpoint management on Google Admin Console involves regular software updates, constant vigilance, and understanding common issues.

To avoid common problems, ensure your devices running on ChromeOS are up to date and continuously monitor endpoint verification. If you need to diagnose a user issue as an administrator, have the user download Endpoint Verification logs:

1. On the device, open the Chrome browser.
2. In the browser toolbar, right-click "Endpoint Verification," then click "Options," then "Download Log."

gPanel®: Amplify the Power of Google Admin Console

Are you looking for an endpoint management solution but need more control and visibility than Google Admin Console can provide? gPanel® is the tool for you.

gPanel is Promevo's proprietary Google Workspace management and reporting platform. This centralized user management, reporting, and security interface automates many common admin tasks and provides visibility and complete control over users’ data and settings. It's more than just a standard, one-size-fits-all Google Workplace service — it’s a constantly evolving solution improved by feedback and suggestions from real clients.

When you choose gPanel for your organization, you can not only manage your ChromeOS device fleet but also:

• Streamline user management with easy control of Docs, Groups, Gmail settings, and more
• Modify Gmail signatures for anyone in your organization
• Sync contacts from one user to another and vice versa
• View and manage the devices users have access to
• Search text in any Drive document owned by any user in the domain
• Generate comprehensive reports for documents, emails, groups, and more
• Customize user and admin roles and specify the actions they can take

Look to Promevo for Google Chrome Support

Whether you've recently invested in Chrome devices or want to get more out of your system, Promevo is here to help. As a certified Google partner, we help organizations with every step of their ChromeOS journey. From device selection to accelerating business growth, we'll help you unlock the built-in business capabilities of ChromeOS to give you the security, simplicity, and efficiency of this managed system.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more.