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Reset the SMC in your Mac

Updated

The system management control (SMC) is responsible for tasks related to the power supply, battery, fans, and other features of your Mac.

 

Resetting the SMC on your Mac can often help resolving issues relating to the above. 

You won’t lose any data from resetting the SMC, and it only takes a minute to try it.

 

The method you need to use differs if your particular Mac has a T2 chip or not. To find out if your Mac uses a T2 security chip, follow this guide from Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208862 (Or ask your IT Department if you're really unsure). Once you know if you have a T2 chip or not, choose one of the below guides. 

 

1. How to reset the SMC if your Mac has a T2 security chip

2. How to reset the SMC if your Mac does not have a T2 security chip:

 

 

1. How to reset the SMC if your Mac has a T2 security chip:

  1. Open the Apple menu and Shut Down your Mac. Then wait for your Mac to finish powering off.
  2. Now press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds.
  3. Your Mac should remain powered off. If it turned back on, shut it down again from the Apple menu
  4. On a MacBook:
    1. Press and hold Control (Left) + Option (Left) + Shift (Right).
    2. Keep holding them all for seven seconds, then press and hold the Power button with the other keys.
    3. Keep holding all keys for another seven seconds, then release them.
    4. Press the Power button again to restart your Mac.
  5. On an iMac:
    1. Unplug the power cable for 15 seconds.
    2. Reconnect the power cable and wait five seconds.
    3. Press the Power button again to restart your Mac.

 

 

2. How to reset the SMC if your Mac does not have a T2 security chip:

  1. Open the Apple menu and Shut Down your Mac. Then wait for your Mac to finish powering off.
  2. On a MacBook with a removable battery:
    1. Remove the battery from the bottom of your MacBook.
    2. With the battery removed, press and hold the Power button for five seconds.
    3. Release the power button and reinstall the battery.
    4. Press the Power button again to restart your MacBook.
  3. On a MacBook without a removable battery:
    1. Press and hold Shift (Left) + Control (Left) + Option (Left).
    2. Keep holding all keys, then also press and hold the Power button.
    3. After 10 seconds, release all the buttons at the same time.
    4. Press the Power button again to restart your MacBook.
  4. On an iMac:
    1. Unplug the power cable for 15 seconds.
    2. Reconnect the power cable and wait five seconds.
    3. Press the Power button again to restart your Mac.

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