How to Reset SMC and PRAM on Your MacBook

Support Article | University PC Care

If your MacBook is experiencing power, battery, display, fan, or other hardware-related issues, a reset of the SMC (System Management Controller) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) can often help resolve the problem.

This guide explains what these resets do and how to perform them based on your MacBook model.

What is the SMC?

The System Management Controller manages low-level hardware functions like:

Power and battery management
Fan behavior
Sleep and wake
Display backlighting
Charging and thermal sensors

Resetting the SMC can fix issues such as:

MacBook not charging or charging incorrectly
Fans running loudly at all times
Display not responding to brightness adjustments
USB-C ports not working

What is PRAM (or NVRAM)?

PRAM (Parameter RAM) and NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) store settings like:

Display resolution
Time zone
Speaker volume
Startup disk selection
Kernel panic logs

Resetting PRAM/NVRAM can help if:

Your Mac is starting slowly
Screen resolution or sound settings aren’t saving
You see a question mark folder at boot
Startup drive is not being recognized

Resetting the SMC

For MacBooks with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 and newer)

Apple Silicon Macs do not have a separate SMC — these functions are integrated and reset automatically with a normal shutdown.

Shut down your Mac
Wait 30 seconds
Turn it back on

A full shutdown and restart handles SMC-like resets on these devices.

For Intel-based MacBooks (non-removable battery, 2009 and later)

Shut down your Mac
On the built-in keyboard, hold:
Shift + Control + Option (left side) and the Power button
Hold all keys for 10 seconds
Release the keys, then press the Power button to turn on your Mac

For Intel-based MacBooks with a removable battery (pre-2009)

Shut down the Mac
Remove the battery
Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds
Reinstall the battery and turn the Mac back on

Resetting PRAM or NVRAM (Intel Macs Only)

This reset does not apply to Apple Silicon Macs — those settings are handled automatically.

To reset PRAM/NVRAM:

Shut down your Mac
Turn it on and immediately press and hold:
Option + Command (⌘) + P + R
Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, then release them
Your Mac will restart

You may need to reconfigure certain settings afterward, such as:

Startup disk
Time zone
Display resolution
Sound volume

Not Sure Which Mac You Have?

To check if your Mac has Apple Silicon or an Intel processor:

Click the Apple menu  > About This Mac
Look for “Chip” (Apple M1, M2, etc.) or “Processor” (Intel)

Still Having Issues?

If resetting the SMC or PRAM doesn’t resolve the problem, your MacBook may need a diagnostic check or hardware service.

📍 Visit us at University PC Care
📞 Call: (252) 558-1280
📧 Email: support@universitypccare.com

A quick reset can solve common issues — but we’re always here if your Mac needs more than a restart.