How To Reset Smc On Mac

What is SMC on Mac?

On a Mac, the System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip that controls operations such as video mode switching, sleep, waking, hibernation, thermal management, battery management, and power management. Now that you have got a grasp on what SMC is, let’s look at the signs that indicate you need to reset your Mac’s SMC.

What is SMC responsible for on the Mac?

SMC takes care of several things, including actions that happen even when the Mac is off — for example, pressing the power button or the orange light when you connect the Mag Safe charger to your MacBook. Courtesy of official Apple Support, here is the list of actions SMC is responsible for.

Power, in the power button and USB ports. Battery and charging. Internal fans and other thermal-management features. Indicators such as status indicator lights (sleep status, battery charging status, and others). Sensors such as the sudden motion sensor, the ambient light sensor, and keyboard backlighting. Behavior when opening and closing the lid of a MacBook. Selecting an external (instead of internal) video source for some iMac displays.

When should you reset SMC on Mac?

Here are some of the most common symptoms you may see if your SMC fails. In any of the following situations, know that resetting your Mac’s SMC might be beneficial.

Mac is facing overheating issues. The backlight on the Mac keyboard is not working properly. When opening or shutting the MacBook, it is unresponsive. The MagSafe charger light is not functioning correctly. Mac is not connecting with USB and external devices. There are difficulties with Wi-Fi connectivity. On earlier MacBooks, the battery indicator lights do not display the right status. The intended display mode is experiencing issues. Even when not in use, the fan runs at full speed. Ambient light has no effect on screen brightness or keyboard backlight. The Mac’s power button is inactive. You’re having problems charging your MacBook. Mac faces sudden shutdowns.

How to reset SMC on your Mac

By resetting your Mac’s system management controller, you may operate it exactly as it came out of the box. Resetting SMC on Mac is simple if you follow the methods below correctly, depending on your Mac model. It’s good practice to check the chipset of your Mac before you decide to reset SMC on your Mac.

Mac running Apple Silicon chip

Mac running on the latest M1 and M2 chips do not allow SMC resetting since the Apple Silicon chip controls system management. Still, if you encounter any of the difficulties outlined above, you can shut down your Mac for 30 seconds and restart it. If restarting your Mac does not help, you can use the Apple Configurator to upgrade your macOS or reinstall your Mac’s firmware.

Reset SMC on MacBook Pro or Air with Apple T2 chip

To reset SMC on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air running on an Apple T2 chip, you can follow the steps below.

Reset SMC on older MacBook Pro or Air (before 2018)

Reset SMC on iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Prowith T2 chip

Reset SMC on older iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro (before 2018)

Wrapping up… The process for resetting the SMC may change depending on the Mac model. However, it’s crucial to remember that resetting the computer won’t delete any data from it, but it will only revert back some settings return to default. Therefore, it’s a good idea to back up important files and data before starting any troubleshooting steps. Read more:

Mac won’t go to sleep mode? How to fix it How to fix USB Accessories Disabled error on Mac MacBook keyboard not working?

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