People are asking how to reset SMC, PRAM, and NVRAM. This article provides step-by-step guides for users to do the task, serving as a reference for those who need to reset these components.
If Mac storage was erased during troubleshooting, see erased Macintosh HD recovery.
The System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip in Macs that controls various system settings, particularly low-level settings like power and thermal management. According to Apple, the SMC manages behaviors related to power and thermal settings, essentially governing the overall system's performance and efficiency.
Resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) can resolve various issues, including sleep problems, video display issues, fan noise, and even rare MacOS system problems, by restoring settings to normal.
PRAM, short for Parameter Random Access Memory, is a type of memory in Macs that stores system settings, including display settings, time zone, startup volume, and speaker volume. While not all Macs have the same system settings stored on their PRAMs, it serves the same purpose across all Mac computers, storing information such as startup disk, system date and time, and other system preferences.
Resetting the PRAM is a proven solution to resolve issues related to settings and further complications. Knowing how to reset the PRAM is essential, as it can be a helpful troubleshooting step when encountering bugs, such as those mentioned in the tutorial.
NVRAM, or NonVolatile Random Access Memory, is a small amount of memory on your Mac that stores system settings for quick access. Similar to PRAM, it stores settings like sound volume, display resolution, startup disk selection, recent kernel panic info, and time zone. These settings can vary from Mac to Mac, depending on the devices used with it. If these settings malfunction, an NVRAM reset is needed, similar to a PRAM reset.
What is SMC reset and how does it help in resolving certain issues?
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on a Mac varies depending on the model, with different procedures for computers with and without removable batteries. To determine if your Mac's battery is removable, simply look at it from behind, where you can see if it has a removable battery or not. Before attempting an SMC reset, it's essential to check whether your battery is removable or not.
To shut down your Mac, press the power button and select "Shut Down" from the menu. Next, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to discharge any residual power.
If it doesn't work,
1) Press and hold the right shift, left option, and left control keys simultaneously for 7 seconds.
Press the power button and the above keys simultaneously for 7 seconds.
3) Release all the keys and wait for some seconds.
4) Turn on your Mac.
1) Shut down your Mac
To enable the Command key, press and hold Shift+Control+Option on the left side of the keyboard.
Press and hold the power button alongside the other buttons on the remote control, then release them.
Hold all buttons for 10 seconds, then release and turn on your Mac.
1) Shut down your Mac.
2) Remove the battery from it.
3) Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4) Reinsert the battery and turn on your Mac.
1) Shut down your Mac.
2) Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
3) Release the power button, wait for some seconds, then restart your Mac.
If it doesn't work, shut down your Mac again
1) Disconnect the power plug.
Wait for 15 seconds, then plug in the power cord and wait for 5 seconds.
3) Turn on your Mac.
1) Shut down your Mac
2) Disconnect the power plug
Wait for 15 seconds, then plug in the power cord and wait for 5 seconds.
Before resetting your System Management Controller (SMC), ensure that the process is compatible with your specific Mac model. This is to prevent any potential damage or issues that may arise from the SMC reset.
For you to consider a PRAM reset for your Mac, your Mac should have one of the following problems. No further information is provided in this response.
In order to reset PRAM on Mac,
1) Shut down your Mac.
Turn on your laptop, and immediately press and hold the Command+Option+P+R keys as soon as it powers up.
Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, then release them and let your Mac start normally.
4) Release keys after hearing the second startup sound in models that produce a startup sound.
After performing a PRAM reset, proceed with reconfiguring the Startup Disk and Display settings, among others, that were reset as a result of the PRAM reset.
The process of resetting PRAM and NVRAM on Mac is the same, and it's done by following the same steps. This process can be performed when there are issues with the system settings or startup disk. To reset the NVRAM, simply follow the exact steps mentioned above, which will correctly reset your Mac's NVRAM.
In addition to the issues mentioned earlier, you may also encounter other problems on macOS, such as accidental deletion. If you haven't emptied the trash, you can easily restore the deleted files. If the files have been lost for more than 30 days or have been cleaned up, you can also use Deep Data Recovery for Mac to search for your lost files.