How to Reset Mac NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC (Intel vs. Apple Silicon Guide)

Is Your Mac Acting Weird? Don’t Reinstall Yet.

A flickering screen. A fan that won’t stop screaming. A battery that won’t charge past 80%. Your MacBook Pro that won’t turn on without being plugged in.

These are the classic, frustrating symptoms that point to a problem not with your software, but with your Mac’s hardware firmware. The good news? You can often fix them in 60 seconds without losing any data.

The solution lies in resetting two key components: NVRAM and the SMC. But here’s the critical part: the instructions are completely different depending on whether you have an Intel Mac or an Apple Silicon (M-series) Mac.

This guide will give you the exact, model-specific steps. Let’s get your Mac back to normal.

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First, What Are We Actually Resetting?

NVRAM (and PRAM)

• What it is: A small amount of memory that stores easily-changeable settings like screen resolution, startup disk selection, volume level, and time zone.
• Reset it if: Your Mac has display issues, forgets sound output settings, or always boots into the wrong disk.

SMC (System Management Controller)

• What it is: A microcontroller that handles low-level hardware functions. It’s the brain behind power management, battery charging, thermal and fan control, keyboard backlights, and indicator lights.
• Reset it if: Your Mac has power issues (won’t turn on, won’t charge, sleeps incorrectly), fan runs at max speed constantly, keyboard backlight doesn’t work, or performance is throttled for no reason.

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The Reset Guide: Find Your Chip and Follow the Steps

Part 1: How to Reset NVRAM/PRAM

For ALL Macs (Intel and Apple Silicon):

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
3. Immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys on your keyboard.
4. Keep holding for about 20 seconds.
   • On Intel Macs: You may see the Apple logo appear and disappear a second time.
   • On Apple Silicon Macs: The Apple logo will appear and you can release the keys once you see the startup options window (or it boots).
5. After reset, you may need to readjust your display, sound, and time zone settings in System Settings.

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Part 2: How to Reset the SMC (This is Where it Diverges)

For Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 Chip) – The Easy Way

This is the easiest fix in the world.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn your Mac back on.

That’s it. There is no key combination. The SMC is reset automatically on every full shutdown and restart on Apple Silicon Macs. If a simple restart doesn’t fix the issue, the problem is likely elsewhere.

For Intel-based MacBooks (with a non-removable battery)

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press and hold the Power button at the same time.
3. Hold all four keys for 7 seconds.
4. Release all keys.
5. Press the Power button again to turn on your Mac.

For Intel-based Mac Desktops (iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro)

1. Shut down your Mac and unplug the power cord.
2. Wait 15 seconds.
3. Plug the power cord back in.
4. Wait 5 seconds, then press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

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Troubleshooting Flowchart: What to Try First

1. Is the issue software-related? (App crashing, OS glitch) -> Try restarting your Mac.
2. Is the issue a hardware setting? (Wrong resolution, sound output) -> Reset NVRAM (All Macs).
3. Is the issue a fundamental hardware behavior? (Battery, power, fans, heat) -> Reset SMC (See instructions for your chip above).
4. Did neither reset work? -> It’s time to contact Apple Support or delve deeper into macOS diagnostics.

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Conclusion: Your First Line of Hardware Defense

For Intel Mac owners, these resets are a powerful tool in your troubleshooting arsenal. For Apple Silicon owners, the process has been beautifully simplified.

Before you spend hours on a fruitless web search or wipe your entire machine, try these steps. Nine times out of ten, they resolve the kind of bizarre, inexplicable hardware glitches that make you question your sanity.

Remember the rule: NVRAM for settings, SMC for hardware behavior. And always, always know your chip.

Still having power issues after an SMC reset? The problem might be your battery health. Our guide on [ checking macOS battery health and cycle count] can help you diagnose a failing battery.

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FAQ Section

Q: Will resetting NVRAM or SMC delete my files?
A: No. Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and SMC is completely non-destructive. It does not affect your personal files, user accounts, or installed applications. You will only lose volatile settings stored in the NVRAM, such as your speaker volume, screen resolution, and startup disk selection, which you can easily reconfigure after the reset.

Q: How often should I reset the SMC on my Mac?
A: You should only reset the SMC when you are experiencing a specific hardware issue that it is known to fix. It is not a routine maintenance task and does not need to be done periodically. If your Mac is functioning normally, there is no benefit to resetting the SMC. It is a troubleshooting step, not a preventative measure.

Q: My MacBook Pro won’t turn on. Will resetting the SMC help?
A: It might, especially if it’s an Intel-based MacBook. If your Mac shows no signs of life (no lights, no sound, no display), an SMC reset can sometimes clear the state of the power management system and allow it to start. For Apple Silicon Macs, ensure it is charged and try a restart. If an SMC reset (on Intel) or restart (on Apple Silicon) doesn’t work, the issue could be a dead battery, faulty charger, or more significant hardware failure.

Q: What’s the difference between NVRAM and PRAM?
A: PRAM (Parameter RAM) was the older term used for Macs that used NVROM technology. NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) is the modern term. The functionality is essentially the same. The reset process (Option + Command + P + R) is identical for both, and the term “NVRAM” is used for all modern Macs. You can think of them as the same thing for troubleshooting purposes.