SMC is an important hardware that manages low level settings. People will need to reset the SMC on Mac when experiencing strange performance like chaotic volume settings. However, the steps to reset SMC on MacBook, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Mini are not the same. The following content teaches you how to reset SMC on different Mac models.

What Is SMC

SMC, the acronym of System Management Controller, refers to a chip responsible for running smaller hardware processes. SMC controls some basic hardware settings of your Mac, such as thermal and battery management, power button response, lights and indicators blinking, temperature monitoring and keyboard backlighting.

When Do You Need to Reset SMC Mac

To put it in a simple way, SMC is in charge of the performance of your Mac hardware. And you need to reset SMC when you suddenly find the hardware is acting in unexpected ways or you run into bugs and problems: excessive fan noise, unresponsive apps, battery not charging, slow running/responding speed, etc.

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Please remember, a simple SMC reset do help if you have the following troubles:

  • The noise of the fan is ultra-high.
  • The fan is working constantly at high rate even under low load.
  • The battery can’t be charged correctly.
  • The Mac shuts down randomly or slowly.
  • The behavior of the battery and status lights is abnormal.
  • The keyboard backlight works in a strange way.
  • You can’t use the trackpad even if the settings are correct.
  • The Mac is running or responding at a slow speed. (How to speed up Mac?)
  • Mac can’t sleep or wake normally.
  • The icons of apps bounce when you try to open them.
  • Etc.
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Reset SMC MacBook

There are two obvious factors that can divide the MacBook (MacBook Pro) into different types: T2 Security Chip, and battery type. MacBook reset SMC in different situations are discussed below.

How to Reset SMC on MacBook with T2 Security Chip

The new models of MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air contain non-removable battery and the new Apple T2 Security Chip.

T2 Security Chip

Here’s how to reset SMC on Mac with T2:

  1. Shut down your Mac completely.
  2. Start it again by pressing the Power button.
  3. Hold the button for 10 seconds and release.

Sometimes, this method for resetting SMC didn’t work. You should try the following steps instead.

  1. Turn off your Mac, again.
  2. Press 3 keys simultaneously: Control on the left side, Option (or Alt) on the left side, and Shift on the right side.
  3. Hold these keys for 7 seconds.
  4. Press the Power key while you’re holding above keys.
  5. Hold these four keys for another 7 seconds.
  6. Release them all.
  7. Wait for a few seconds and restart your Mac.

What if your Mac keeps restarting?

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What are the steps to reset SMC MacBook Air (or MacBook/MacBook Pro) without T2 chip? Please keep reading.

How to Reset SMC on MacBook with a Non-removable Battery

How to do MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro SMC reset when it contains a non-removable battery (mostly before 2018):

  1. Shut down the MacBook.
  2. Unplug the power cord.
  3. Press Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard.
  4. Also press the Power button.
  5. Hold these four buttons for 10 seconds and then release them.
  6. Reconnect the power cord and restart MacBook.

Mac with non-removable battery

How to Reset SMC on MacBook with a Removable Battery

The MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro released before 2015 often contain a removable battery.

  1. Shut down Mac.
  2. Disconnect the power cord.
  3. Remove the battery properly.
  4. Press the Power button.
  5. Hold it for 5 seconds and then release.
  6. Place the battery back to Mac.
  7. Reconnect the power cord.
  8. Restart the Mac.

Mac with removable battery

Those are the steps to reset SMC MacBook. However, what if you want to do SMC reset on desktop Macs?

Reset SMC iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro

The battery of a desktop Mac is always non-removable, so the only factor to influence the Mac SMC reset steps is the T2 Security Chip.

How to Reset SMC on iMac/iMac Pro/Mac Mini/Mac Pro with a T2 Chip

  1. Shut down the iMac.
  2. Press & hold Power for 10 seconds.
  3. Release it and wait for a few seconds.

If this method for resetting SMC iMac didn’t work, please try the steps mentioned in how to reset SMC on iMac without a T2 chip.

Mac with T2 chip

How to Reset SMC on iMac/iMac Pro/Mac Mini/Mac Pro with a T2 Chip

  1. Power off iMac.
  2. Remove the power cord.
  3. Wait 15 seconds.
  4. Reconnect the power cord.
  5. Wait 5 seconds.
  6. Power on your iMac.

Mac without T2 chip

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About The Author

Sarah
Sarah

Position: Columnist

Sarah has been working as an editor at MiniTool since she graduated from university. Sarah aims at helping users with their computer problems such as disk errors and data loss. She feels a sense of accomplishment to see that users get their issues fixed relying on her articles. Besides, she likes to make friends and listen to music after work.

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