How to Reset the SMC on MacBooks

Written By: mikeyd123
  • Comments: 13
How to Reset the SMC on MacBooks

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

4

Time Required

55 seconds - 5 minutes

Introduction

If you have done a logic board or battery replacement, you can reset your MacBook's SMC. You may also use this as a first-aid measure if you’re having power issues with your MacBook.

    • These MacBooks have a T2 security chip:

    • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later

    • MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later

    • If it has a T2 chip you can reset the SMC as follows (if not, skip this step):

    • Hold the "Control" and "Option" (Alt) on the left side of your keyboard and the "Shift" on the right side of your keyboard for 7 seconds.

    • Then additionally press and hold the power button and keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release them.

    • Press the power button after few seconds to turn on your MacBook.

    Notice the phrase “Your Mac might turn on.“, in Apple’s official reset instructions located at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

    Jim Julian -

    • These models have a non-removable battery (per Apple definition):

    • MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later

    • all models of MacBook Air

    • MacBook (Late 2009)

    • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) and later

    • Proceed with the next step to reset your SMC.

    • For other models skip this and the next step.

    The MacBook Pro 2009-2012 are removable. All MacBook Airs until 2017 are removable. Any Pro mode from 2013-2019 are not removable.

    Ryan Boosel -

    The non-removable refers to the Apple definition of “removable”. Of course are the batteries removable, if the device is opened :)

    Tobias Isakeit -

    • Shut down your Mac.

    • Unplug the MagSafe or USB-C power adapter from your computer.

    • Using the built-in keyboard, press Shift-Control-Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press the power button at the same time. Hold these keys and the power button for 10 seconds.

    • Release all keys.

    • Reconnect the power adapter.

    • Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

    This is also not entirely true. Models that have a T2 chip (2018-2019) use a different SMC reset.

    Right Shift+Left Option+Left CMD for 7 seconds

    Then, while holding all three of those keys, press and hold the power button for another 7 seconds.

    Ryan Boosel -

    Thanks for the note on the T2 chip. I added this information to the guide.

    Tobias Isakeit -

    Si l'ensemble des touches ne fonctionne pas , est-ce que on peut utiliser un clavier externe de type Windows

    NIKOLAS TESLA -

    And what if this procedure fails?

    ROBERT MONTGOMERY JR -

    • Shut down your Mac.

    • Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from your computer.

    • Remove the battery.

    • Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.

    • Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.

    • Press the power button to turn on your Mac.

    • The LED on the MagSafe power adapter might change colors or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

    Danke, es hat funktioniert :)

    Wir haben ein MacBook Model A1181 von NOV 2007 mit herausnehmbare Akku.

    Ich habe die Anleitung ein bisschen variiert, nur aus Neugier weil der MacBook normal funktionierte bis auf das Aufladen, der MagSafe Ladedioden leuchteten nicht und es zeigte auch kein Ladevorgang auf dem Bildschirmanzeige.

    Zuerst habe ich das MacBook ausgeschaltet. Dannach habe ich das Ladekabel abgezogen und das Akku entfernt. Mit gedrückten EIN/AUS Schalter habe ich die 5 Sekunden abgezählt dann wieder los gelassen.

    Gegen der Empfehlung, habe ich nur die MagSafe Ladekabel angeschlossen ohne den Akku einzubauen und nach etwa 2 sekunden ging die Ladediode wieder an, leuchtete sogar grün. Das MagSafe Power Adapter hatte ich über eine schaltbare Steckdosenleiste.

    Dann schaltete ich das MagSafe Power Adapter wieder ab und baute den Akku ein. Dannach schaltete ich erst den MagSafe Power Adapter wieder ein, die Ladedieode leuchtete gelb, dann startete ich den MacBook mit den EIN/AUS Schalter.

    Bob DUS

    Bob DUS -

Conclusion

The SMC of your MacBook has now been reset.

Author

mikeyd123

Member since: 04/04/18

685 Reputation

5 comments

Il mio MacBook Pro 2019 nuovo di 3 mesi non vuole accendersi.

Ieri sera con la batteria 1% ho spento il mac. Stamattina non vuole avviarsi, non da segni di vita.

Il mac fa solo un suono quando attacco il caricatore, poi nulla. Dopo 2 ore in carica niente.

Cosa mi consigliate?

Grazie

Mario Scotti -

merci ! fonctionne parfaitement depuis ?

David Derisoud -

Mahalo, mikeyd123!
I just purchased a refurbished MBP 15 (11,5) mid-2015 Retina, macOS 12.2.1, and was having an issue with the fan running non-stop, from boot-up to shut-down. Resetting the SMC seems to have addressed the fan issue. Hopefully there are no thermal issues. If there are, iʻll check back in.

Kahana -

I followed the reset instructions for my MacBook Retina 2017 (A1534) but now I get a Recovery Assistant & I'm asked to rest my password. I don't need to reset my password, I just want to reset to factory settings because a new owner will use this MacBook.

Ivana Sifuentes -

Does the Macbook Pro 2018 and newer Intel (T2) start without battery?

What if i dont have it anymore, what steps do i have to accomplish?

Vladimir Lebedyev -