- Restart the Mac. Those are the steps to reset SMC MacBook. However, what if you want to do SMC reset on desktop Macs? Reset SMC iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro. The battery of a desktop Mac is always non-removable, so the only factor to influence the Mac SMC reset steps is the T2 Security Chip.
- Step 4: Power on your Mac. When It’s OK To Reset PRAM and SMC. Don’t think of this process as routine maintenance like cleaning up your browser cache. You should only do this when there’s a.
Macs are usually pretty solid machines. But they arestill machines. Operating on layers and layers of ones and zeros. Something somewhere is going to go wrong. Usually, a restart or reinstall does the trick.
To perform an SMC reset follow these instructions: Shutdown the MacBook or MacBook Pro and remove the battery. Disconnect the power adapter, hold the power key for 10 seconds. Release the button and reattach your power adapter and battery. If your Apple laptop does not have a user-removable battery, reset the SMC with these steps: Shut down the laptop from the Apple menu (Apple icon - Shut Down). Once your laptop has completely shut down, hold the Shift, Control, and Option keys on the left side of the built-in keyboard, then press the power button at the same time.
But what do you do when weird stuff starts happening that you can’t exactly put your finger on? Like the Bluetooth won’t scan or the battery percentage will refuse to update. It’s time to reset the PRAM and SMC.
What exactly does that mean? Read on to find out.
What Is PRAM (Parameter RAM)?
PRAM (Parameter RAM) is the memory that stores the default values for the nitty gritty details of your Mac, the core data, if you will. It contains stuff like the alarm clock setting, mouse scaling, start up disk, virtual memory and speaker volume among other things. To see a full list, check out Apple’s support page.
If there’s something wrong in any of the code on PRAM, it can have a big effect on your Mac’s performance. Resetting the core data to its default is a great way to restore things to way they are supposed to be.
The Last Resort
You should think of resetting PRAM as a last resort. Because it has to do with the core data of the OS, it might change some settings, or reset your data. So before jumping in to resetting PRAM, you should try some of these remedies first.
- Force quit (Command+Option+Esc) all the running apps.
- Log off and log back in.
- Turn it off and on again. Not just restart, perform a hard shutdown.
- Shut down the mac, keep it turned off for a minute or so. If you can, remove the battery for some time as well.
After doing that, if you’re still facing the problem, it’s time to reset PRAM.
How To Reset PRAM
Note: Before resetting PRAM or the SMC, back up your important documents or your whole system on an external drive.Step 1: Turn off your Mac. No need to remove the battery or detaching the power chord.
Step 2: Turn on your Mac and hold down the Command+Option+P+R keys, all at the same time.
Step 3: Hold down all four keys until you hear the startup sound twice.
The startup sound for the second time means you’ve reset the PRAM.
What Is SMC?
SMC stands for System management controller and it only applies to Intel based Macs (so you can’t use this on your pre 2007 PowerPC Mac).
Apple’s support page has a long list of symptoms that can be solved by resetting the SMC. Some of the big ones include:
- Fan running on high speed even though the CPU is not under heavy duty.
- Keyboard backlight or status indicators not functioning properly.
- Battery not charing properly or the computer shuts down unexpectedly.
- The computer is performing slower than usual and apps freeze after launching.
That’s a big list of problems. And it’s something a lot of three year old Macs go through.
How To Reset SMC
The instructions for resetting SMC are different depending on the battery situation on your machine.
For MacBooks With Removable Battery
Note: This is for advanced users. If you don’t know how to remove the backplate and detach the battery, read up on it first.Step 1: Shut down the Mac, remove the back plate and disconnect the battery.
Step 2: Press and hold the power button for five seconds before releasing.
Step 3: Connect the battery and turn the Mac back on.
For MacBooks Without Removable Battery
Step 1: Shut down the Mac and make sure it is plugged in to a power source.
Step 2: When the Mac is off, press and hold Shift+Control+Option keys as well as the Power button.
Step 3: Release all four keys at the same time. The Mac should not power on during this time.
Step 4: Press the power button to turn the Mac back on.
For iMac, Mac Pro and Mac Mini
Step 1: Shut down and unplug the Mac.
Step 2: Keep the Mac unplugged for 15 seconds.
Step 3: Plug the power cord back in but don’t turn it on for at least 5 seconds.
Step 4: Power on your Mac.
When It’s OK To Reset PRAM and SMC
Don’t think of this process as routine maintenance like cleaning up your browser cache. You should only do this when there’s a problem you can’t solve any other way.
Take a glimpse. It’s also good practice to reset SMC while you’re reseting PRAM. The process is pretty similar and if resetting PRAM doesn’t solve your problem, SMC might.
Even after resetting both, if you’re still facing a problem, it’s time to take your Mac to the Apple Store / Apple Service Station.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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Performing a SMC Reset has the potential to fix problems and performance related issues on Mac. You will find below the actual steps to Reset SMC on MacBook, Mac Mini and iMac.
Reset SMC On MacBook, Mac Mini and iMac
SMC or System Management Controller is a Microchip located on the Logic board of Apple computers using Intel processors.
SMC is responsible for functions like Battery Control, Battery Indicator Light, Temperature control, Light Sensing, Fan Speed, Keyboard backlights and other low-level functions.
Sometimes, SMC can become confused or corrupted, leading to problems on Mac computers and needs to be Reset.
When to Reset SMC on Mac?
In general, the following problems indicate the need for SMC Reset on MacBook, Mac Mini and iMac computers.
Power Supply Issues: MacBook is not turning ON, Battery Not Charging, Battery Indicator Light Not Working. Keyboard Backlight Not Working, Mac shutting down abruptly or not waking up from sleep mode.
Cooling System: Fans not working, Fans always running at high speed.
Display Problems: External Display not working, Videos not playing, Change in Display brightness.
Devices & Ports: Ports not working, external connected devices not working, track pad not working, keyboard not responding normally or mouse behaving abnormally.
Performance Related Issues: Slow or sluggish performance even under low CPU load, Bluetooth not working, Mac not connecting to WiFi and others.
The steps to Reset SMC vary, depending on the Type and Model of your Mac and whether or not it has an Apple T2 Security chip.
Check If Your Mac Has Apple T2 Chip
Before going ahead with the steps to Reset SMC, you need to find if your Mac has a removable battery and whether or not it is equipped with Apple T2 Chip.
1. Click on Apple Logo > About This Mac > System Information.
2. On the next screen, click on Controller in the left-pane. In the right-pane, you will be able see if your Mac is equipped with Apple T2 Chip.
After checking for T2 Chip, follow the steps as applicable to Reset SMC on your Mac computer.
1. Reset SMC On MacBook Without Apple T2 Chip
If your MacBook does not have an Apple T2 Chip, find out if it has a removable or non-removable battery.
If the battery is non-removable type:
1. Click on Apple Logo > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Unplug USB Storage and other connected devices from your Mac.
3. Press Shift+Control+Option keys on the left side and also press the Power button. Hold these four keys for 10 seconds.
4. Release All the Keys at the same time.
5. Start your Mac by pressing the Power button.
Note: The boot time of your Mac immediately after SMC Reset can be longer than normal.
If the Battery is Removable type:
1. Click on Apple Logo > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Remove the Battery from your Mac.
3. Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds.
4. Reinstall the Battery.
Smc Restart Mac Pro
5. Start your Mac by pressing the Power button.
2. Reset SMC On Mac Mini, iMac Without T2 Chip
Follow the steps below to Reset SMC on desktop versions of Macs like iMac, Mac Mini and Mac Pro.
Smc Reset Macbook Pro 2018
1. Click on Apple Logo > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Unplug the power cord from your Mac.
3. After 15 seconds > plug the Power Cord back in.
4. Wait for 5 seconds and press on the Power button to restart your Mac.
3. Reset SMC on Macbook with Apple T2 Chip
Follow the steps below to Reset SMC on newer versions of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptop computers (2018 and later).
1. Click on Apple Menu > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Remove all accessories from your Mac.
3. Press and Hold the Power button on your Mac, until Apple Logo appears on the screen and goes away.
Note: Continue holding the Power button as Apple Logo appears on the screen and release the Power button as soon as Apple Logo disappears from the screen.
4. Wait for 10 seconds and press the Power button to restart your Mac.
Note: If you have a MacBook Pro with Touch ID, the Touch ID button is also its Power button.
If this does not fix the issue, follow the steps below.
1. Click on Apple Menu > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Press and hold Right Shift Key + Left Option + Control keys for 7 seconds > Keeping holding these keys and press the Power button for 7 seconds.
Note: You may notice Apple Logo appearing and find Mac turning ON and turning OFF.
3. Release all three keys and the Power button.
4. After 5 seconds start your Mac by pressing the Power button.
4. Reset SMC on Mac Mini, iMac with Apple T2 Chip
Follow the steps below to Reset SMC on newer versions of Mac Mini, iMac and iMac Pro Desktop computers (2018 and later).
1. Click on Apple Menu > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
2. Remove all accessories from your Mac.
3. Press and Hold the Power button on your Mac, until Apple Logo appears on the screen and goes away.
Note: Continue holding the Power button as Apple Logo appears on the screen and release the Power button as soon as Apple Logo disappears from the screen.
4. Wait for 10 seconds and press the Power button to restart your Mac.
If this does not fix the issue, follow the steps below.
1. Click on Apple Menu > Shut Down and wait for your Mac to shut down.
Smc Restart Mac
2. Unplug the Power Cord.
3. Wait 15 seconds > Plug the Power Cord back in.
4. After 5 seconds start your Mac by pressing the Power button.
Smc Reset Macbook
Source: Apple Support