Has your Mac been acting up? Things could require more than just a restart to get it operating normally once more. The PRAM and SMC on any Mac can be reset using the instructions in this step-by-step guide.
Resetting the PRAM and the SMC is a quick and simple way to get your Mac back to normal if you’ve tried the standard troubleshooting techniques, like restarting or closing down the apps you’re using, but they don’t appear to address your problems.
However, if you have exhausted all options, then you must take your MacBook to a MacBook repair service center to get the problem resolved.
What is PRAM?
PRAM is the memory where your Mac’s essential information is kept. PRAM, which stands for parameter random access memory, is where settings information for the operating system on your Mac is kept. These system settings details cover the time zone, speaker volume, display options (such as resolution and color depth), and more.
Information saved in the PRAM is permanent, unlike RAM, which is similar to your computer’s short-term memory, therefore it is not cleared. Instead, the PRAM makes use of a small internal battery to preserve these settings even when your Mac is off.
How to Reset PRAM on a Mac
Resetting the NVRAM on an M1 Mac is as easy as restarting your computer because it happens every time you restart. Simply shut down your M1 MacBook or Mac Mini completely, wait a few seconds, and then push the power button to turn it back on.
It doesn’t matter if your older Mac uses PRAM or NVRAM because the reset procedure is the same for both, and it’s quick and simple.
Here’s how to restart your Mac’s PRAM:
- Disconnect all USB devices from your computer and then restart it (except wired keyboards).
- To start your Mac, click the power button.
- Press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keyboard buttons simultaneously. This key combination must be pressed before the gray screen shows for it to function.
- Hold down these keys for 20 seconds, during which time your Mac will appear to restart.
- Hold down the keys until you hear a second chime on older Macs that chime when you turn them on.
- Hold the keys down until the Apple logo reappears and then vanishes a second time on Macs with the Apple T2 Security Chip. The T2 chip-equipped Mac models are listed below.
- Release the keys, then wait for your Mac to fully reboot.
Because they are machines, Macs occasionally have problems. However, you can also take your Mac to an authorized MacBook repair shop to check for problems
What is SMC?
The SMC (system management controller) is a chip on Intel-based Macs that manages important physical components of your computer. In contrast to the PRAM, which focuses primarily on operating system software, the SMC manages a variety of hardware features like cooling fans, status lighting, system performance, and power supply.An SMC reset could be useful if you’re having power-related problems or your Mac won’t start.
Common SMC issues
Problems with the SMC are among the most problematic because it controls temperature, power management, and battery performance.
Here’s a list of some of the main symptoms you may experience if your SMC malfunctions:
- Abrupt or slow shutdowns.
- When opening or closing your Mac, it won’t respond.
- The power button doesn’t function as it should.
- Even when there is little load, computer fans are loud and run quickly.
- There is no indication of what the MagSafe power adaptor is doing.
- Wi-Fi connection issues.
- A Mac that is too hot.
- Bluetooth connections or USB ports that aren’t working.
- inconsistent backlight or light behavior.
- Even with minimal CPU usage, Mac performance is typically poor.
How to Reset SMC on a Mac
Depending on the Mac model you have, the procedure for resetting the SMC may be different. On Macs with non-removable batteries, the SMC must be reset differently than on those with removable batteries.
On any Mac model, follow these steps to do an SMC reset:
M1 Macs
On any M1 Mac, the SMC doesn’t need to be reset because there is nothing to reset. These computers don’t even have a system management controller—the M1 chip handles all SMC tasks.
It has been mentioned in some Apple forums that turning off your Mac and waiting for 30 seconds seems to function as an SMC reset. So you can attempt this approach if you face any of the SMC problems stated above.
MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
Before MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro resetting SMC, check to see if your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air has the Apple T2 Security Chip. Models of the MacBook, Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air from 2018 and later contain these processors.
- Turn off your Mac.
- Ten seconds after pressing and holding the power button, let go of the button.
- After a brief delay, restart your Mac.
- Restart your Mac if that doesn’t work.
- Press and hold the left Control key, the left Option key, and the left Shift key for seven seconds. then, hold down the power button for a moment.
Conclusion
You’ve tried everything to get your Mac to behave normally, including restarting it, clearing the NVRAM, and using all the tips and techniques for making a slow Mac faster. To figure out what’s going on, you even performed more than 50 diagnostics simultaneously, but you came up empty-handed.
Resetting the PRAM and the SMC is a quick and simple way to get your Mac back to normal if you’ve tried the standard troubleshooting techniques, like restarting or closing down the apps you’re using, but they don’t appear to address your problems. However, if you have exhausted all options, then you must take your MacBook to a MacBook repair service center to get the problem resolved
