How to Reset the SMC on a Mac (All Models Step-by-Step)

When a Mac starts showing unusual behavior, it is usually a sign that something at the hardware level is not behaving the way it should. The fans might suddenly get loud for no clear reason, the battery may refuse to charge past a certain point, or small things like the keyboard backlight can start acting inconsistently. Restarting the Mac is the first instinct, and sometimes it works, but many times it does not.

That is where resetting the System Management Controller, or SMC, comes in. It is a well-known troubleshooting step that Apple itself recommends in specific situations. The process is safe, takes only a minute or two, and often fixes problems that feel otherwise hard to explain. On newer Macs, it is also far simpler than it used to be.

What Is the SMC and Why It Matters

The SMC, short for System Management Controller, is a small but important chip found in Intel-based Macs. It quietly manages all the low-level hardware tasks you rarely think about until something goes wrong.

This includes things like how your Mac powers on, how the battery charges, how fast the fans spin, how the keyboard backlight behaves, and how the system responds when you close or open the lid. Even the tiny charging light on your Mac charger listens to the SMC.

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When the SMC gets confused, your Mac can start showing problems that feel random, frustrating, and hard to explain. Resetting it puts these hardware controls back to their default state.

Signs You Might Need to Reset the SMC on Mac

SMC issues usually show up as hardware-related problems rather than app crashes or software errors. If your Mac feels physically off rather than digitally broken, this step is worth trying.

Common symptoms include:

• Your Mac does not turn on or shuts down unexpectedly
• The battery is not charging or shows incorrect levels
• Fans are always running loud or not running at all
• The keyboard backlight is not working properly
• External displays are not detected or act strangely
• Your Mac feels slow even when CPU usage is low
• Sleep and wake issues, especially when opening the lid
• Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or ports behaving unpredictably

Apple itself says you rarely need to reset the SMC, but when these specific issues appear and basic fixes fail, it is one of the most effective troubleshooting steps.

First, Check Your Mac Type

Before resetting the SMC, you need to know which kind of Mac you are using. The steps change depending on whether your Mac runs on Apple Silicon or Intel, and whether it has a T2 Security Chip.

You can check this using these steps:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner
2. Select About This Mac
   
3. In the pop-up, click on More info and then click System Report
   
4. Click Controller in the left sidebar
   
5. Check whether the Apple T2 Security Chip is listed
   

Once you know this, follow the section that matches your Mac exactly.

How to Reset the SMC on Any Mac Model

Now that you know which Mac you are using, follow the steps written for your exact model below. The process varies slightly by Mac model, so make sure you do not mix steps between sections.

Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 and Newer)

If you are using a Mac with Apple Silicon, this part is refreshingly simple. These Macs do not have a separate SMC. Everything the SMC used to handle is built directly into the M-series chip.

As a result, there is no manual SMC reset process.

All you need to do is:

1. Shut down your Mac completely
2. Wait around 30 seconds
3. Turn it back on using the power button

That is it. This reboot automatically performs the Apple Silicon equivalent of an SMC reset.

If your issue persists after this, it may indicate firmware issues rather than SMC behavior. In rare cases, Apple provides tools to revive or restore firmware on another Mac, but this is only necessary when problems are severe.

Intel MacBooks With the T2 Security Chip

Most MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models released from 2018 onward include the T2 Security Chip. Apple recommends a softer reset method before using the full key combination.

Start with this first:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds
3. Release it, wait a few seconds, then turn the Mac on

If the problem remains, move on to the full SMC reset:

1. Shut down your Mac completely
2. Press and hold the left Control key, left Option key, and right Shift key
3. Keep holding those keys for 7 seconds
4. While holding them, also press and hold the power button
5. Continue holding all four keys for another 7 seconds
6. Release everything, wait a few seconds, then power the Mac on

You may notice the Apple logo appear briefly or the Mac turn on and off during this process. That is normal. The first boot after an SMC reset can also take slightly longer than usual.

Intel Desktop Macs With the T2 Chip

For desktops such as the iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac mini with the T2 chip, the process is simpler and does not require a keyboard.

Here is what to do:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Unplug the power cord
3. Wait 15 seconds
4. Plug the power cord back in
5. Wait another 5 to 10 seconds
6. Press the power button to turn on your Mac

This fully resets the SMC for T2-equipped desktop Macs.

Older Intel MacBooks Without the T2 Chip

If your MacBook was released before 2018 and does not include the T2 chip, the SMC reset uses a different key combination.

Follow these steps:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Press and hold the left Shift, left Control, and left Option keys
   
3. While holding them, press and hold the power button
4. Keep all four keys pressed for 10 seconds
5. Release everything, then turn your Mac on normally

If your MacBook has a removable battery, which is common in models made before 2009, the process is different:

1. Shut down the Mac
2. Remove the battery
3. Hold the power button for 5 to 15 seconds
4. Reinsert the battery and turn the Mac on

Older Intel Desktop Macs Without the T2 Chip

Desktop Macs without the T2 chip follow the same process as newer desktops.

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Unplug the power cable
3. Wait 15 seconds
4. Plug the power cable back in
5. Wait another 5 seconds
6. Turn the Mac on

Is It Safe to Reset the SMC

Yes. Resetting the SMC is safe and does not erase your data. It simply resets hardware-related settings back to factory defaults.

That said, a few custom settings, especially related to power or battery behavior, may need to be adjusted again after the reset.

When an SMC Reset Will Not Help

An SMC reset is not a cure-all. It will not fix software bugs, broken apps, corrupted files, or hardware damage.

If your Mac continues to misbehave after resetting the SMC, the issue may be related to macOS itself, firmware corruption, or failing hardware. At that point, reinstalling macOS or contacting Apple Support is the next logical step.

Final Thoughts

Resetting the SMC is one of those classic Mac troubleshooting steps that sounds complex but is actually very straightforward. When your Mac feels physically wrong rather than software broken, this is often the missing step.

It costs nothing, takes only a minute or two, and in many cases, brings a misbehaving Mac right back to normal. And if it does not, at least you know you ruled out one of the most common low-level causes with confidence.

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