Skip to main content Screen Reader Website Version

How to Reset the SMC on Your Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Reset the SMC on Your Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your Mac is acting up—battery issues, overheating, or problems with sleep mode—it may be time to reset the System Management Controller (SMC). The SMC controls essential hardware functions like power management, battery charging, and thermal regulation. Resetting it can often resolve persistent issues that don’t go away with a simple restart.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of resetting the SMC on different Mac models.


When Should You Reset the SMC?

Resetting the SMC can help resolve the following issues:

✅ Mac won’t turn on or respond to power button presses
✅ Battery not charging correctly
✅ Fans running excessively loud or always on
✅ Display brightness not adjusting properly
✅ Sleep mode or lid-closing issues
✅ External devices not recognized properly
✅ Performance issues related to power and hardware

If you’re experiencing any of the above, resetting the SMC could be the fix you need.


How to Reset the SMC on a Mac

For Intel Macs with T2 Security Chip (2018–2020 models)

If your Mac has a T2 Security Chip (found in models like the 2018 MacBook Air, 2018 MacBook Pro, and 2019 iMac), follow these steps:

1️⃣ Shut down your Mac completely.
2️⃣ Press and hold Control (⌃) + Option (⌥) + Shift (⇧) on the left side of your keyboard for 7 seconds.
3️⃣ While still holding these keys, press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds.
4️⃣ Release all keys and wait a few seconds.
5️⃣ Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

Your Mac’s SMC is now reset!


For Intel Macs Without the T2 Chip (2017 and earlier models)

1️⃣ Shut down your Mac.
2️⃣ Press and hold Shift (⇧) + Control (⌃) + Option (⌥) on the left side of the keyboard while also pressing the power button.
3️⃣ Hold all four keys for 10 seconds, then release.
4️⃣ Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

This method works for older MacBook models (2017 and earlier).


For Desktop Macs (iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro)

1️⃣ Shut down your Mac.
2️⃣ Unplug the power cord from the wall or power strip.
3️⃣ Wait 15 seconds before plugging it back in.
4️⃣ Wait another 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn your Mac back on.

This process resets the SMC for desktop Macs, which don’t have built-in batteries like MacBooks.


SMC Reset Not Working? Try These Fixes

If resetting the SMC doesn’t solve your issue, try the following:

  • Check macOS Updates – Make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Sometimes, software updates fix hardware-related issues. (Check for updates here)
  • Reset PRAM/NVRAM – If you’re still having problems, try resetting the PRAM/NVRAM, which controls display settings, sound, and startup disk preferences. (Learn how here)
  • Contact Apple Support – If your Mac still isn’t working properly, it may have a deeper hardware issue. (Visit Apple Support)

Final Thoughts

Resetting the SMC is a simple yet powerful way to resolve many common Mac issues. Whether your battery isn’t charging, your fans are running non-stop, or your Mac won’t power on, an SMC reset is worth trying before seeking professional repair.

african american man using computer
More Web Design Blog Content

New apps coming down the pipe

We have 6 new apps coming out over the next few months. Very excited to roll these out – unfortunately we can’t give you too many details but we have a couple apps geared toward attorneys and the legal industry, one that deals with product shipping and another

What’s New: Livewire Seminars

Want to become your own SEO specialist? Need to know how to put your site on page 1 but don’t have the capital to invest hundreds to thousands of dollars in optimization? We can help! Our Search Engine Optimization Seminars will teach you how to become your own

New Beginnings: Mcgriff WIlliams Insurance

New clients start today: Mcgriff Williams Insurance has decided to start a new campaign for online insurance quotes. We’ll be providing a key marketing role with their new website: INSURENCY.com They have the very latest in online quotes and are attempting to break into a heavily saturated market

Review: WordPress Business Directory ★ ★ ★

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_button title=”Where it’s at” target=”_blank” color=”btn-inverse” icon=”wpb_arrow” size=”wpb_regularsize” href=”http://codecanyon.net/item/wp-business-directory/2203258″][vc_column_text] ★ ★ ★ Features V1.8 Premium Membership (Paypal) Location Based Search Internationalization CSV Import with auto map location finder[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text] 3 Stars out of 5 This is a wordpress plugin We took off one point for poor style

Product Variations – WordPress Plugins

So this is a nice little plugin – an add-on to Woocommerce called Smart Variation Images. The extension allows  you to set different images to each product variation. This is handy to display different style types to the user as they browse through your product variation choices. Each time they

A Quick Way To Kill Your Facebook Marketing

Facebook is a powerful tool. With millions upon millions of reachable users it is the social media powerhouse. Sharing content is incredibly easy and businesses can so easily engage potential customers that many businesses are putting it to work for them. There are, in fact, many ways to