What Is PRAM or SMC Reset on Mac and When Should You Do It

Macs are usually pretty solid, but they’re still machines. While many people commit to their stability, things can often come down with the software or peripherals you connect it to. Usually, a reboot or reinstall will do the trick. But if not, you’ll need to take a closer look at your Mac.

But what if the problem is still not resolved? Like Bluetooth won’t scan or battery percentage will refuse to update. Or worst, the battery level indicator will show random changes in percentage. If that’s the case, you may have to reset the PRAM and SMC on your Apple Mac.

But, what exactly does that mean? Read to find out.

What is PRAM (Parameter RAM)?

PRAM (Parametric Random Access Memory) or NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) is memory that stores default values ​​for the basic details of your Mac. It contains things like alarm clock settings, mouse rate, startup disk, virtual memory, speaker volume, etc. with your macOS devices.

If something goes wrong in any of the code on the PRAM, it can greatly affect the performance of your Mac. For example, Mac performance can become sluggish and sluggish. Reset PRAM to default state is a smart way to restore things to their original state.

Which Mac allows you to do a PRAM or NVRAM reset?

Normally, you can perform a PRAM or NVRAM reset on all Intel-powered Macs. That includes the portable MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models. It also includes Intel-based desktop Macs like the iMac and Mac mini.

How to Reset PRAM or NVRAM on a Mac

You can think of resetting the PRAM as a last resort before going to a service center. Since it is related to the core data of the OS, it may change some settings or reset your data. Reset PRAM or NVRAM applies to Intel Mac. You can’t reset PRAM on newer Macs running M-series chips because they don’t need it.

So, before doing a PRAM or NVRAM reset, you should try some of these remedies first.

• Press the shortcut Command + Option + Esc on the left side of your keyboard to force all quit running applications.
• Sign out of your Mac and sign back in.
• Turn your Mac off and back on again.
• Perform a complete shutdown by pressing the Power key for more than 10 seconds. Keep your Mac turned off for a minute or so.

Then restart your Mac. If you’re still experiencing weird behavior from your Mac, it’s time to reset the PRAM.

How to Reset PRAM or NVRAM on a Mac

Before resetting the PRAM or SMC, back up your important documents on an external drive. That will ensure that the main fix you apply after resetting the PRAM, nothing goes awry.

Step 1: Shut down your Mac. No need to remove the battery or unplug the power cord.

Step 2: Press the Power button to turn on your Mac and quickly hold the Command + Option + P + R keys simultaneously.

Step 3: Hold down all four keys until you hear the Mac start up with the boot sound twice and the Apple Logo appears.

The second boot sound means you have reset the PRAM. Then let your Mac boot up and

What is SMC?

SMC stands for System Management Controller, it only applies to Intel based Macs. For Apple’s M-series based chips launched since November 2020, it is not possible to reset the SMC on them because they do not have this component. Instead, you’ll need to run the Apple Configurator to restore the firmware on compatible Mac models. So you won’t need to reset the SMCs on Macs that are based on M-series chips. For newer M-series Macs, turning them off and leaving them on for at least 30 seconds before turning them on is almost the same as setting them. back to SMC.

The SMC controller stores details regarding your Mac’s power and temperature details. If something goes wrong, resetting the SMC to its default state is a good idea. Apple’s support page has a long list of symptoms that can be resolved by resetting the SMC. Some of the main ones include:

• The fan runs at high speed even though the CPU is not working hard.
• Keyboard backlight or status indicator is not working properly.
• The battery does not charge properly or the computer shuts down unexpectedly.
• Computer works slower than usual and applications freeze after launching.
• Selecting an external video source does not work.

While the list of hardware-specific problems is long, resetting the SMC aims to put everything back to the factory state.

How to Reset SMC on Mac

Instructions for resetting the SMC will vary depending on the battery on your Intel-based Mac.

For MacBook with removable battery

This method is intended for advanced users. If you don’t know how to remove the back cover and remove the battery, read it first.

Step 1: Turn off your Mac, remove the back cover, and disconnect the battery.

Step 2: Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds before releasing.

Step 3: Connect the battery and turn the Mac back on.

For MacBooks with non-removable batteries

Step 1: Turn off your Mac and make sure it’s plugged into a power source.

Step 2: With your Mac turned off, press and hold Shift + Control + Option on your keyboard and the Power button.

Step 3: Release all four keys at the same time. If your Mac turns on during this time, start from scratch until idle after this step.

Step 4: Press the power button to turn your Mac back on.

For MacBooks with T2 . security chip

Step 1: Shut down your Mac.

Step 2: Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds and then release.

Step 3: Wait a few seconds then press the Power button again to start the Mac and repeat the above mentioned SMC reset steps.

For iMac, Mac Pro and Mac Mini

For desktop Macs with the T2 security chip, you’ll need to temporarily cut the power.

Step 1: Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord for Mac.

Step 2: Keep the Mac unplugged for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Re-plug the power cord but do not turn on the machine for at least 5 seconds.

Step 4: Power on your Mac.

When is a good time to reset PRAM and SMC

Don’t treat this process as routine maintenance like clearing your browser’s cache. You only need to do this when there is a problem that cannot be resolved by troubleshooting. Also, be aware that resetting the PRAM or NVRAM and resetting the SMC only applies to Intel-based Macs. However, the process may be slightly different for Macs with a T2 security chip.

You should also reset the SMC while resetting the PRAM. The process is pretty much the same, and if resetting the PRAM doesn’t solve your problem, the SMC might.

Even after resetting both, if you’re still having issues, it’s time to take your Mac to an Apple Store/Apple Service Station.

Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/