What To Know
- Whether you’re experiencing unexpected crashes, slowdowns, or any other anomalies, a reset can often restore your Mac to its optimal state.
- If other reset methods don’t resolve your issues, you may need to reset your MacBook Pro to its factory settings.
- A hard reset or factory reset will erase all data on your Mac, so be sure to back up important files beforehand.
Resetting your MacBook Pro can resolve a wide range of issues, including software glitches, performance problems, and stubborn errors. Whether you’re experiencing unexpected crashes, slowdowns, or any other anomalies, a reset can often restore your Mac to its optimal state.
Types of Resets
There are two main types of resets available for MacBook Pros:
- Soft Reset (Restart): This is a quick and easy way to refresh your Mac’s memory and close any unresponsive applications.
- Hard Reset (SMC Reset): This more comprehensive reset clears the Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC), which manages various hardware components.
How to Soft Reset (Restart)
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
2. Select “Restart…”
3. Confirm the restart by clicking “Restart” again.
How to Hard Reset (SMC Reset)
Intel-based MacBook Pros:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the following keys simultaneously: Shift + Control + Option + Power button.
3. Release all keys after 10 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to start your Mac.
M1-based MacBook Pros:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds.
3. Release the Power button and wait a few seconds.
4. Press the Power button again to start your Mac.
How to Reset to Factory Settings
If other reset methods don‘t resolve your issues, you may need to reset your MacBook Pro to its factory settings. This will erase all your data, so be sure to back up important files beforehand.
1. Start up your Mac in Recovery Mode:
- Intel-based: Hold down Command + R while starting up.
- M1-based: Hold down the Power button while starting up, then select “Options” and click “Continue.”
2. Select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.”
3. Click on the hard drive (usually named “Macintosh HD“) and select “Erase.”
4. Choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format and click “Erase.”
5. Quit Disk Utility and select “Reinstall macOS.”
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
How to Reset NVRAM/PRAM
NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) or PRAM (parameter RAM) stores certain settings on your Mac, such as date and time, display resolution, and volume. Resetting NVRAM/PRAM can resolve issues related to these settings.
Intel-based MacBook Pros:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the following keys simultaneously: Command + Option + P + R.
3. Release the keys after 20 seconds.
4. Your Mac will start up as usual.
M1-based MacBook Pros:
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the Power button until you hear two startup chimes.
3. Release the Power button and immediately press and hold the following keys simultaneously: Command + Option + P + R.
4. Release the keys after 20 seconds.
5. Your Mac will start up as usual.
How to Reset Bluetooth
If you’re having issues with Bluetooth connectivity, resetting it can often resolve the problem.
1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Select “Bluetooth.”
3. Click on the “X” next to your Bluetooth device to remove it.
4. Click on the “Turn Bluetooth Off” button.
5. Wait a few seconds and click on the “Turn Bluetooth On” button.
6. Re-pair your Bluetooth devices as needed.
How to Reset Wi-Fi
Resetting Wi-Fi can fix connectivity issues and improve performance.
1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
2. Select “Network.”
3. Click on the Wi-Fi tab and select your Wi-Fi network.
4. Click on the “Remove (-)” button and confirm the removal.
5. Click on the “Turn Wi-Fi Off” button.
6. Wait a few seconds and click on the “Turn Wi-Fi On” button.
7. Re-connect to your Wi-Fi network as usual.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: What data will be lost if I reset my MacBook Pro?
A: A soft reset will not cause any data loss. A hard reset or factory reset will erase all data on your Mac, so be sure to back up important files beforehand.
Q: How often should I reset my MacBook Pro?
A: There is no set schedule for resetting your MacBook Pro. However, if you’re experiencing persistent issues or performance problems, a reset can often help resolve them.
Q: Can I reset my MacBook Pro without losing data?
A: Yes, you can perform a soft reset (restart) without losing any data. However, a hard reset or factory reset will erase all data, so be sure to back up important files beforehand.
Q: My Mac won‘t start up after a reset. What should I do?
A: If your Mac won‘t start up after a reset, try resetting the SMC again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to take your Mac to an authorized Apple service provider for further assistance.
Q: Can I reset my MacBook Pro remotely?
A: No, you cannot reset your MacBook Pro remotely. You must have physical access to the device to perform a reset.
