Find out when and how to reset SMC on Intel-based Mac.
What SMC does
The SMC responds to these and other low-level functions on Intel-based Macs:
How to know if you need to reset SMC
These symptoms may mean that an SMC reset is necessary:
Before resetting SMC
Try each of these steps in order before resetting the SMC. Question test after each step to see if the problem still occurs.
If you are using a Mac laptop that is having power or battery problems, follow these steps:
If the issue still persists, you may need to reset the SMC using the steps below.
* On some keyboards, the variant key is also labeled Alt.
How to reset SMC on Mac laptops
If the battery is non-removable:
If the battery is removable:
How to Reset SMC Settings on Mac Computers, Desktop
Do the following for iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro and devices.
For Intel-compatible devices of computers that are not responding, you can shut down locally or using remote commands. You can also press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
How to reset SMC on a Mac that has an Apple T2 security chip
Try this first:
If this does not solve the problem, follow these steps:
Mac laptops with T2 processor
November 08, 2018
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Has your Mac been acting up lately to the point that it upsets you?
It could be a glitch with your screen, a randomly running fan that is very fast, or a battery not charging properly, among other problems.
I assume you have already tried common troubleshooting methods such as rebooting the device (my way of troubleshooting) and running Disk Utility. Among the many ways to fix certain problems, you should also enable PRAM and SMC reset.
In this post, we will learn about these two areas of the system and how you can reset them to fix your Mac’s slow performance and strange behavior.
Let’s dive right into it.
What is PRAM?
PRAM, which stands for Parameter Random Access Memory, refers to a small amount of memory that stores data used by the system or applications, such as preferences, settings, and more.
It stores all the data your operating system needs to use. Unlike RAM, data stored in PRAM is not temporary, so it is not deleted. It uses a small internal battery to keep your settings even when your system is turned off.
It is important to note that PRAM is mainly used for older Macs. Currently, Mac devices use what is called NVRAM, which stands for Non-Volatile Random Access Memory.
It’s almost the same as PRAM, but instead of storing too much information, it just deals with a few pieces of data, such as screen resolution, the boot drive you choose, time zone, and more.
Depending on which Mac you’re using, resetting either of these two options can help fix annoying issues. The steps to reset them are almost the same.
What is QMS?
The System Management Controller (SMC) manages low-level settings such as temperature and battery management. For example, it is responsible for the correct functioning of the cooling fan, status indicator, LEDs, and power supply.
It also plays a vital role in how your hard drive behaves and how it works when your device is in sleep mode.
Resetting the SMC can fix a lot of problems with your Mac, including:
If you encounter any of the above problems or something similar, you can reset the SMC and fix it.
There are two very easy ways to reset SMC and PRAM/NVRAM. You can follow the instructions of the method that is convenient for you.
Probably the most popular method – manually resetting PRAM or NVRAM and SMC – is quite simple. Even if you have never done anything like this, you should be able to walk through the steps quite easily.
PRAM/NVRAM
To reset PRAM or NVRAM (whatever you call it, depending on the version of Mac you’re using), you need to start by shutting down your Mac.
For M-chip Mac versions, the process is complete here as the NVRAM is automatically reset when the device is turned off. However, for Intel-based Macs, you can continue.
When the device is turned off, press the power button to turn it back on, and immediately press and hold these 4 keys together: Option, Command, P and R.
You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, just to be sure. When the device completes the startup process, you should return to the home screen of your device.
And that’s all.
No. 2. With MS
The process for resetting the SMC is different for different types of Mac devices. For new versions of M-chip Mac, you don’t need to do anything other than shutdown or reboot your device. This will automatically reset the SMC.
On the other hand, if you have a non-M-chip Mac, please follow the instructions below for the respective versions.
Mac laptop with T2 chip:
Turn off your Mac. Press and hold the Control, Option, and Shift keys.
Your device may turn on. Keep holding the keys for 7 seconds and then press and hold the power button as well. If your device is on, it will turn off while you hold this key combination.
Keep holding the keys for another 7 seconds and then finally release them. After a few seconds, press the power button to turn the device back on.
Desktop Mac with T2 chip:
Turn off your Mac, and then unplug the power cable. Wait 15 seconds and then insert the plug again. Wait another 5 seconds and finally press the power button to turn it back on.
Mac laptop without silicon and T2 chip:
Turn off your Mac. Press and hold the Shift, Control, and Option keys.
While holding this key combination, also press and hold the power button. Keep holding all 4 keys for 10 seconds. Release them after 10 seconds and then press the power button to turn the device back on.
Desktop Mac without silicon and T2 chip:
I understand that not everyone can be comfortable with the manual process. To make it easier, you can use third party tools to help you reset PRAM/NVRAM and SMC easily.
These tools do much more than just reset. In fact, if you’re struggling with issues that a simple factory reset can’t solve, these tools can help in those cases too.
Here are my favorites.
4DDiG Mac Boot Genius
Whether you’re experiencing hardware or system issues, you can count on them to be resolved instantly with this solution.
No. 2. Avast Cleansing Premium
With a 4/5 star rating and lots of reviews on TrustPilot, Avast Cleanup Premium is basically a tool to remove junk files from your Mac.
This won’t help you reset NVRAM and SMC, but serves as a reminder that you may not need to reset them in the future to keep your system clean.
This tool will help you create a cleaner device, lighter and free of unnecessary data. It’s also a great way to deal with performance issues and weird behavior.
MacKeeper
MacKeeper is truly a keeper because it keeps your Mac clean and secure with little to no effort.
This may help you:
It also has 24/7 monitoring to keep an eye on any violations. While MacKeeper doesn’t help you reset PRAM/NVRAM and SMC directly, it does help you get a device that doesn’t need to be reset.
Plus, it’s free to get started.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your problem, resetting PRAM/NVRAM and SMC should solve it in most cases. However, if the problem persists, contact Apple Support to discuss a solution.
Then check out the best Mac data recovery software.
Find out how, when and why to reset Mac PRAM and SMC in this new article!
Is your Mac acting weird lately? Like you’re at the wrong time and your battery is dying?
These are a few issues on Mac that need to be resolved as soon as possible.
Let’s do it!
Part 1. What is PRAM and SMC?
This is layman’s jargon, but PRAM and SMC are essential parts of a Mac. They share both the soft and hard aspects of the system for a smoother workflow.
We will discuss and define each to get a clearer idea.
What is PRAM
PRAM or also called Parametric Random Access Memory stores most of the display settings on a Mac, such as the desktop, time and date, speakers, mouse, other control settings, and more.
PRAM is powered by a small internal battery, which is the main reason why these configurations are not lost when the device is turned off.
There are cases where the PRAM gets corrupted, but a reset can easily fix the problem.
What is SMC
The SMC or also known as the System Management Controller is the one that handles most of the Mac’s physical features such as the fan, ports, LED lights, Bluetooth, power, lights, and more.
It manages more parts than PRAM.
SMCs are available for Intel-based Macs and can also be easily fixed when things start to behave strangely or not respond at all with any configurations.
Both parts are vital to Mac performance and the other needs to be constantly worked on depending on which Mac system you are using.
However, in more updated Macs, instead of PRAM, they use NVRAM or so-called non-volatile RAM, which works the same way, but there is less file corruption compared to the former.
When things get out of hand with PRAM and SMC, a simple power reset can’t fix any problems. You need to reset your Mac PRAM and SMC to resolve any issues.
Find out how to reset them in the following parts below.
Part 2: When to Restart Mac PRAM and SMC
Resetting PRAM and SMC should not be done out of habit. You should only do this when your Mac is showing symptoms and appears to have PRAM involved.
PRAM contains the following:
Serial Port Configurations
You may even see an error screen if the PRAM is not working properly. If you’re not too familiar with how these settings work or how to fix them, it’s best to do your research first to avoid unwanted scenarios.
We’ll show you how to thoroughly reset Mac PRAM and SMC in the most user-friendly way possible.
How to reset Mac PRAM
If you don’t hear the startup sound twice, you may not have reset PRAM and may need to repeat the steps above.
However, if your PRAM does not retain and retain your individual settings, consider replacing the PRAM battery.
As for SMC, it acts as a partner of PRAM to improve device performance in mature Mac models. They have the following settings:
How to restart Mac SMC
Resetting the SMC depends on whether the Mac has built-in or removable batteries. Follow these methods to reset SMC.
Mac with built-in batteries (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air):
Before doing any of the Mac PRAM and SMC reset methods above, be careful and careful enough to backup your entire system to ensure that no data is lost during the process.
This is it! The steps to reset Mac PRAM and SMC are so easy. Resetting both can be safe and easy, but there is no 100% guarantee that it will fix any unwanted issues on a Mac.
Part 3: Troubleshoot PRAM and SMC issues with PowerMyMac
Cleaning tools can be useful for solving many problems. There’s an efficient utility called iMyMac PowerMyMac that easily cleans up and fixes any Mac issues. This software performs diagnostics and informs you about the status of your device and gives you the opportunity to improve its performance. How cool is that? You don’t have to practically spend a lot of time looking for and pressing unfamiliar steps and buttons and worrying that you might mess up your Mac.
PowerMyMac speeds up your device and safely removes unnecessary files that can clog your system. If you find your Mac is slowing down or the system is running out of application memory, it can be helpful to fix these issues.
All you have to do is download and run the program and let it do its job! Take advantage of its free downloadable version!
Get your free trial now!
Part 4. Conclusion
We have just taken a look at how to reset Mac PRAM and SMC manually and digitally. Your Mac should be running normally, or it may have sped up due to these fixes.
For a better and more secure resolution, please use PowerMyMac.
