How to Reset SMC and NVRAM on a MacBook (Intel and Apple Silicon)

Resetting the SMC and NVRAM is a classic Mac troubleshooting step for power, charging, fan and startup glitches. But the steps depend on your Mac's chip, and on Apple silicon these resets work differently. This guide shows you how to reset SMC and NVRAM on a MacBook, step by step, and what to do if you have an M-series Mac.

Step 1: find out which chip your MacBook has

1. Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
2. If you see Chip followed by Apple M1, M2, M3 or M4, you have an Apple silicon Mac.
3. If you see Processor followed by an Intel model, you have an Intel Mac.

Not sure which model or year you have? See our guide to finding your MacBook model number.

What the SMC and NVRAM do

• SMC (System Management Controller): on Intel Macs, it manages power, the battery, charging, fans, sleep and the power button. A reset can help when the Mac won't charge, won't turn on, runs fans at full speed for no reason, or sleeps and wakes unexpectedly.
• NVRAM (non-volatile memory): stores settings like the startup disk, display resolution, sound volume and time zone. Resetting it can help with startup disk, display and sound issues.

How to reset the SMC on an Intel MacBook

MacBooks with the Apple T2 Security Chip (most Intel models from 2018 to 2020)

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Press and hold Control (left side), Option (left side) and Shift (right side) for 7 seconds. The Mac may turn on briefly.
3. Keep holding those keys and also press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds.
4. Release all keys, wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn the Mac on.

Older Intel MacBooks with a non-removable battery (without T2)

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Press and hold Shift, Control and Option on the left side of the keyboard, plus the power button, all at the same time for 10 seconds.
3. Release all keys, then press the power button to turn the Mac on.

How to reset NVRAM on an Intel MacBook

1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Option-Command-P-R.
3. Hold the keys for about 20 seconds. On Macs with a T2 chip, you can release after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time. On older Macs that play a startup sound, release after the second sound.
4. Once macOS loads, check your startup disk, display and sound settings and adjust them if needed.

What to do on Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)

Apple silicon Macs don't have a separate SMC, and the NVRAM reset key combination doesn't apply. Instead:

• For SMC-type issues: shut the Mac down completely, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it on again. If it's unresponsive, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds first.
• For NVRAM: the Mac checks its NVRAM during startup and resets it automatically if needed. A normal restart is enough.

If an Apple silicon Mac still won't start properly, press and hold the power button until you see startup options, then choose Options to use macOS Recovery.

When a reset doesn't fix it

Resets clear glitches, but they can't repair hardware. If your Mac still won't charge, won't power on, or keeps overheating afterwards, there's likely a faulty battery, charging port or board component. Our guide to a MacBook not charging covers the next checks. For MacBook repair in Ottawa and Gatineau, Fix Revolution offers board-level repair and micro soldering in-house, with pickup and drop-off at your door. Get a free quote or call 613-265-4349.

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