Final answer:
To reset the SMC on a Mac, the steps vary based on the type of battery or chip. For removable batteries, power off and remove the battery, for non-removable batteries, hold specific keys and power button, and for Apple Silicon Macs, a normal restart handles the reset.
Step-by-step explanation:
How to Reset the SMC on a Mac
To reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac, the process will differ depending on whether your Mac has a removable battery, a non-removable battery, or if it's an Apple Silicon Mac. The SMC is responsible for managing low-level functions such as battery management, thermal regulation, and ambient light sensing.
For Macs with a Removable Battery:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Remove the battery.
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Reconnect the battery and power on your Mac.
For Macs with a Non-Removable Battery:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press and hold Shift, Control, and Option on the left side of the built-in keyboard, then press the power button at the same time. Hold these keys and the power button for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.
For Apple Silicon Macs:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Wait for at least 10 seconds.
- Turn on your Mac by pressing the power button.
On Apple Silicon Macs, the SMC is not present in the same way as Intel-based Macs, so simply restarting the Mac can resolve many issues that used to require SMC resets on Intel machines.