How to Reset Mac NVRAM, SMC, or PRAM?

Every complex system is not free from issues or errors. And the most complex operating system, MacOS is not different from that. While using a Mac, you might feel problems like the timezone is changed, the battery capacity reduced to some fold along the device fan is not performing well. So, Reset Mac NVRAM and SMC to resolve such issues.

If you have tried all possible methods like running Mac in Safe Mode and Performing Disk Utility operation, but all goes in vain, then it is time to look at the NVRAM or PRAM and SMC operation. The problems will be resolved either by Resetting Mac NVRAM or Resetting Mac SMC. For resetting these processes, you need not rush for any technicians.

In this article, we will discuss the Mac NVRAM or PRAM & SMC and its resetting process without having any issues.

Quick Preview to Reset NVRAM, SMC or PRAM:

1. Press Power Button & immediately execute Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds to Reset NVRAM Mac.
2. Press Left Control + Option Key along with the Right Shift Key for 10 seconds to Reset SMC Mac.

What is NVRAM & PRAM on Mac Devices?

Non-Volatile Random Access Memory or NVRAM and Parameter Random Access Memory or PRAM are similar. The PRAM is now present in the latest devices. The NVRAM was present on the older Mac devices, but they both are the same with some little variations. Both of these things are used to store the core information of Mac devices.

Every kind of setting, it might be an internal setting or the display settings gets saved in the NVRAM & PRAM. Their behaviors are not like a normal RAM where the stored data gets erased after the power is off. Rather, in the NVRAM & PRAM a small battery is used to keep the data alive even after closing down the Mac device.

1) Reasons to Reset NVRAM or PRAM

If there is a high-risk problem with the NVRAM or PRAM, you might feel one or more problems are listed below:

• The Sound Volume will be less than the normal one. However, there will be no issue with the settings or speaker.
• You will see that the selected time is getting changed with time.
• The device will perform at a very slow speed. You will not be able to change the startup disk selection.

2) List of Issues Resolved by Resetting NVRAM or PRAM

The following points indicate the resolved issues by the Mac PRAM Resetting.

• Keep all the settings as modified by users.
• The keyboard & mouse start working more fine & smooth.
• A clear & bit loud audio output from the system.
• Clear all possible booting issues on the device.

Methods to Reset NVRAM or PRAM on Mac

To Reset NVRAM Macbook Pro, the following methods can be used. We will start with a very safe process using Keyboard Shortcuts.

Method 1: Reset NVRAM by Pressing the Keyboard Keys

Step 1: Press the Power Button to start the device. And immediately press the keys Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds.

Step 2: When you hear the Second Chime sound of your device, then release the keys to boot the device in normal mode.

Hence, we have successfully reset the NVRAM or PRAM of the Mac using Keyboard Keys.

Method 2: Reset NVRAM by Using Terminal

Step 1: Press the Command + Space button to open Spotlight Search. Type Terminal there & the option will be available.

Step 2: Execute the following command in the Terminal. It will not provide any output in the terminal. However, the terminal will be closed automatically as it has to be autobooted.

Command: sudo nvram AutoBoot

Hence, we have successfully reset the NVRAM or PRAM of Mac using Terminal.

What is SMC on Mac Devices?

The System Management Controller or SMC is the latest technology used for the new Mac devices. It is different from the NVRAM or PRAM concept. The NVRAM or PRAM is mainly concentrated on the software part of the device. Where the SMC is focused on the Hardware performance of the device.

The SMC is a kind of chip that is used to control the physical operations of any Mac device. All kinds of hardware working is controlled by the SMC including power management, battery management, system starting, etc. It helps to control the Cooler Fan, Monitor lighting, etc.

1) Reasons to Reset SMC

The possible high-risk troubles that might be caused by SMC are the following:

• The Power of the device will not stay longer & users assume the battery is damaged.
• The charging of the battery is slower than the normal times.
• The behavior of the computer changed when the lid was opened.

If you are getting such issues, then be determined that the problem is with the SMC & it needs to be resolved.

2) List of Problems Resolved by Resetting SMC

If you perform the Resetting Mac SMC on your device, the problems you are encountering will be removed. Here is the list of problems it resolves.

• The Mac Device performance will get increased.
• The startup performance of the Mac will also get a boost.
• The Cooling Fan will run faster & louder than in the normal times.
• The Bluetooth, USB & Wi-Fi connectivity will be increased as well.

Steps to Reset SMC on Mac

Step 1: After shutting down the device, press the Left Control + Option Key along with the Right Shift Key for 10 seconds.

Step 2: While pressing those keys, press the Power Button for than more 10 seconds.

Step 3: Release the keys to normal boot it.

Hence, we have successfully Reset the System Management Controller or SMC of Mac.

Note: And be assured that neither the NVRAM/PRAM nor SMC will remove any kind of your saved data. As the SMC is related to the hardware of the device, it will not erase anything. However, the NVRAM or PRAM can remove some of your user settings from the initial stage.

Conclusion

So, this is the detailed information related to the Change NVRAM & SMC Settings on the Mac operating system. You can use the steps mentioned to clear the problems on your Mac. Identify your problem & based on the problems use the methods & steps used for either Fixing NVRAM Issues or the Mac SMC Resetting.

Frequently Asked Questions to Reset NVRAM or PRAM and SMC

How to reset NVRAM or PRAM on MacBook?

To reset the NVRAM or PRAM on your MacBook, the following steps can be executed.

1. First place Power Button.
2. Immediately press Command + Option + P + R Keys after releasing the Power Button.
3. After hearing the second chrime sound, leave all keys.

What are the steps to reset SMC on my Mac device?

The steps required to reset the SMC on any Mac device are the following.

1. Press the Left Control + Option Key & the Right Shift key for 10 seconds
2. Now press the Power Button for more than 10 seconds.
3. Leave as it will normally boot.

What is NVRAM or PRAM and SMC?

The NVRAM or PRAM and SMC are some integral parts of Mac devices that are responsible for the physical activity or the inner activity of the device. The NVRAM or PRAM and SMC are responsible for the following execution

• NVRAM or PRAM looks for the Volume Sound, Display Resolution, Startup Disk Selection, and Time Zone
• SMC is required for maintaining Battery Performance, Startup Performance, Cooling Fan Execution, etc.