Seattle Public Schools

Student iPads and Laptops

Student Laptops

Student SPS Laptops

SPS students in 3rd-12th grade will receive a laptop at the beginning of the school year.

Laptop Intro and Agreement Form

After charging your laptop, please follow these steps to set up your device for the first time: Watch video below or on Vimeo for an intro to SPS student laptops.

Laptop Agreement Form

Reminder: Restart Your Device Regularly

By restarting your district device (laptop or iPad) at least three times each week, you will resolve most issues. Restarting your device allows the device to process updates, policy changes, or security changes that are needed to keep your device running smoothly. Steps to restart your device:

  1. Plug your device in to power and turn it on
  2. Connect to the internet
  3. Restart the device, and then have your student log in to the device
  4. Leave it on for at least an hour so it can apply any changes that are needed silently
  5. If prompted, proceed with restarting your device again

Laptop Login Troubleshooting

We’re getting a “Domain Not Available” error when trying to log in to the district laptop.

If you are trying to login and get this message, it is likely because your laptop is not connected to the internet. Connect the laptop to the internet before logging in.

How to Connect Your Computer to Home Wi-Fi

Student computers automatically connect to the SPS Wi-Fi network when on school grounds. When students take their devices home, they need to connect to their home Wi-Fi to access classroom and school-related content. 

Note: If you need assistance with acquiring Wi-Fi access, view details about internet access for online learning. If you don’t have home Wi-Fi, you can access the internet at locations such as public libraries. 

Instructions 

Follow these steps to connect to your home or another non-SPS Wi-Fi network: 

  1. Click the Start menu in the bottom left corner of the screen. 
  2. Click Settings (gear icon) in the Start menu. 
  3. Select Network & Internet in the Settings window. 
  4. Select Wi-Fi from the menu. 
  5. Click Show available networks.  
  6. Note: A list of Wi-Fi networks will appear. If you do not see your network:
    • Restart your computer: Turn it off, wait at least 7 seconds, and turn it back on. 
    • Toggle the Wi-Fi switch at the top of the Wi-Fi Settings window off and then back on.
  7. Select the desired Wi-Fi network.
  8. Click Connect
  9. Enter the Wi-Fi password if prompted. 

Once connected, your computer should automatically reconnect to the same Wi-Fi network in the future. 


Headphones and Headsets

Headsets are not working on our laptop. What can I do?

Bluetooth Headphones

You can install the “enable Bluetooth” application within the software center.

This can be found with the following steps:

  1. Go to Start
  2. Find Software Center
  3. Find Applications
  4. Select “Enable Bluetooth”
  5. If the update fails, try again after rebooting the computer.

Wired Headphones

A short-term, quick fix for wired headphones is to turn your laptop off, plug in the headphones, and turn the laptop back on. Headsets should then work. But below is a more long term solution.

To fix the wired headphones problem, you can install the “Headset Fix” application within the Software Center. This can be found through the following steps.

  1. Go to Start
  2. Find Software Center
  3. Find Applications
  4. Select Headset Fix

Troubleshooting tips for wired or Bluetooth headphones

  • If this application doesn’t appear in your Software Center
    • Reboot the computer, and let it stay connected to Wi-Fi for a few hours to allow all updates to load.
  • If the update fails: Contact the tech support team

Check Student Laptop Volume Settings

You can adjust the volume on your laptop by accessing the sound settings through the Start button. In the settings menu, you’ll find options to increase or decrease the volume, as well as manage output devices like speakers or headphones. 

Instructions 

Follow these steps to connect to your home or another non-SPS Wi-Fi network: 

  1. Click the Start menu in the bottom left corner of the screen. 
  2. Click Settings (gear icon) in the Start menu. 
  3. Select System in the Settings window. 
  4. Select Sound from the menu. 
  5. Adjust volume as needed. 

Printing at Home

Students Printing to Home Printer with a District Laptop

The ability to connect SPS laptops to home printers has recently been enabled. Connect the printer to the laptop and the printer driver will automatically install.

Due to malware concerns you will be unable to install other functions for the printer that require a CD or internet driver install.

Please note: The assignments from teachers should not require the use of printers, so they are considered optional and not required, much like headphones. As such, our Student TechLine will not be able to trouble-shoot issues that arise from the connection of personal printers.

If a student has an assistive learning accommodation and the student’s specialized curriculum requires the use of a printer, the school will make printing arrangements for the student and family.


Update Software on my Computer

To keep SPS computers running smoothly and securely, regular software updates are essential. Students can update their computers in two ways:

  • Automatically by restarting the computer
  • Manually through the Software Center

Note: If prompted by a message on the computer be sure to allow updates to maintain optimum performance and security.

Instructions

Use the following instructions to automatically or manually update your computer.

Automatic Update

It recommended that students restart their computers weekly to receive updates.

  1. Click the Start menu in the bottom left of the screen.
  2. Click the Power icon on the right.
  3. Select Restart.
  4. Repeat the restart a minimum of 3 times.
Manual Update using Software Center

Use these instructions to manually update your computer.

Note: Follow these instructions weekly or if your computer is not functioning as expected.

  1. Click the Start menu in the bottom right of the screen.
  2. Click Software Center in the list.
  3. Select Updates in the menu list on the left.
    • Note: You may need to wait for any updates to appear.
  4. Click Install All in the upper right.
  5. Restart the computer if prompted.

Tips to Save Laptop Battery Power

Battery saver mode is designed to extend your laptop’s battery life until you can charge your laptop.

What does Battery Saver Mode do? Reduces the display’s brightness and reduces background apps from being run.

  1. While unplugged from a power adapter, click on the Action Center button on the lower right corner
  2. Click on the Battery Saver tile, this will turn on Battery Saver Mode
  3. Battery saver mode will automatically turn off once you have plugged your laptop into a charger

Learn How to Turn on Battery Saver Mode for Windows Laptop

Who to Contact for Support

Contact your teacher, librarian, or school office staff

  • If your student needs a password reset.
  • If your student’s device has connectivity issues.
  • If your student needs an SPS device (this includes broken, stolen, or lost devices).

Contact Student TechLine

If you have questions about how to use District laptops, District digital tools, or need general tech support.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

laptops@seattleschools.org
206-252-0100 (if the line is busy you can leave a voicemail)

Technology Announcements

cell phone pouch in a classroom

Cellphone Policy Catching on with Students, Parents

Students and staff at Eagle Staff and Hamilton International middle schools are noticing the positive change after pushing for cellphone-free campuses

A collection of laptops with SPS stickers are stacked together in boxes on a table

SPS Student Devices

Seattle Public Schools provides student devices during the school year to support classroom instruction.