How to reset SMC on Mac

Is your Mac giving you trouble? Have you tried everything from restarting it to resetting the NVRAM, but nothing seems to work? Don’t worry, resetting the SMC on your Mac might be the solution you’re looking for. In this post, we’ll talk about how to reset the SMC on a Mac, when it’s necessary, and what to expect after doing so.

We’ll also cover the different methods for resetting the SMC depending on your Mac model. By the end of this post, you’ll know everything you need to reset the SMC on your Mac and get it running smoothly again.

What is the SMC and What Does it Do?

The SMC is an important component inside the Mac. It controls things like pressing the power button, how the battery works, managing temperature levels, detecting ambient light, and other basic functions.

The SMC handles a lot of essential chores that keep your Mac running properly. For instance, when you plug in your laptop to charge, the little light on the charger will come on even if your Mac is turned completely off. This happens because the SMC is still monitoring things in the background. The SMC is in charge of these behind-the-scenes tasks that make technology just work like magic.

When Should You Reset the SMC?

Resetting the SMC should only be done as a last resort after trying other troubleshooting steps. Some common symptoms that may indicate a need to reset the SMC include erratic sleep mode performance, failure to respond to the power button being pressed, sluggish performance, and more .

Problems with the SMC can also occasionally affect system performance. If your Mac runs slowly even when Activity Monitor doesn’t show a lot of CPU usage, and you’ve tried a number of other steps, resetting the SMC might help.

How to Reset the SMC

Before trying an SMC reset, make sure to:

• Update your Mac's software to the latest version
• Restart your Mac
• Make sure all external devices are disconnected

Resetting the SMC is a simple process but should only be done after trying other troubleshooting steps first. It involves forcing your Mac to reset certain internal hardware components.

The method of resetting the SMC in your Mac varies depending on the type of Mac you have. Follow these steps to reset the SMC on your specific Mac model:

Laptops without a removable battery:

Hold the Shift+Control+Option keys along with the power button for 10 seconds. Release the keys and power button and turn your Mac back on.

Laptops with a removable battery:

Remove the battery, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds, reinsert the battery, and turn your Mac back on.

Mac desktops with a T2 chip:

Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, release it, and wait a bit before turning your Mac back on.

Other Mac desktops:

Unplug your Mac and wait 15 seconds. Reconnect the power cord, wait 5 seconds, and turn your Mac on.

If resetting the SMC doesn't solve your issue, contact Apple Support for personalized help. They'll go through other potential fixes and help determine if the issue requires repair or replacement of hardware parts.

Conclusion

Resetting the SMC on your Mac can be a helpful solution when you’ve tried everything else and your Mac is still giving you trouble. The SMC controls many essential functions that keep your Mac running smoothly, and resetting it can help fix problems with sleep mode, power button responsiveness, sluggish performance, and more. Remember to follow the steps for resetting the SMC that correspond to your specific Mac model, and if the issue persists, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support for further assistance. We hope this post has been helpful in getting your Mac back up and running smoothly!