How to Reset Mac’s SMC & PRAM – MacBook Tutorial

Sometimes your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or iMac might acting strange without any reason. You can fix this issues with SMC and PRAM reset.

What is SMC & RRAM and why we need to reset them

In your Intel-based Mac, SMC – System Management Controller is a chip. It is involved in running many physical pats of the Mac machine (Ex:  keyboard, cooling fan, led indicators, etc). Its also have a connection with your MacBook sleep mode and power supply.

PRAM (Parameter random access memory), keep information about computer configuration like date and time, mouse, volume, and other settings. PRAM powered by a small battery. So it's not lost any information every time system turned off.

Why and when you need to rest the SMC and PRAM?

You can do SMC and PRAM reset at any time if you thing your computer act like strange.

  • Battery status light or keyboard backlight doesn't work or not working properly
  • MacBook Pro won't turn on and charger blinking orange or won't connect to WiFi
  • Shutdown issues like slow shutdown
  • MacBook running slow
  • Does not detect external monitors or trackpads.
  • Keyboard or volume control does not working properly.
  • Higher CPU usage when browsing (ex: Google Chrome, Safari)

Resetting SMC and PRAM solves most of the Mac issues.

How to Reset SMC

Before doing SMC reset, close all applications and reboot the computer. It might fix your issue. SMC reset method is depend on type of computer.

MacBook Pro (with removable battery) – SMC Reset

1. Shutdown your computer.
2. Unplug the Power adapter and remove the battery.
3. Hold Power button for 5 seconds.
4. Replace the battery and plug in the power adpter.
5. Start the computer

MacBook Pro or MacBook Air (without removable battery) – SMC Reset
SMC reset MacBook Air


1. Shutdown your computer.
2. Plug in the power adapter.
3. Press and hold the shift, control,option and power button together for 10 seconds
4. Release all keys at the same time and turn on the computer.

Mac Pro, Intel based – iMac, Mac Mini, XServe – SMC Reset

1. Shutdown your computer.
2. unplug the power card and wait 15 seconds.
4. Plug the power card and turn on the computer.

How to Reset PRAM
reset Mac PRAM
1. Shutdown your computer.
2. Click the Power button.
3. Before grey color screen appears, press and hold Command +Option + P + R keys at the same time.
4. Hold these keys until your MacBook restarts and second you can hear the startup sound.
5. Now release the keys.

After resetting PRAM, some of the settings have been reset such as time, disk caches, volume, keyboard and mouse preferences.

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2 thoughts on “How to Reset Mac’s SMC & PRAM – MacBook Tutorial”

  1. What don't you "help" forums understand when a person states that computer will not turn on? So many of you say to close all applications and other things that relate to a computer having to be on. Its almost amusing.

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