What to Do If a MacBook Wont Turn on After SMC Reset

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

The System Management Controller (SMC) is a hardware component incorporated within Mac’s motherboard and controls core functions in Mac. It frees up Mac’s processor from taking care of hardware functions. SMC performs many core tasks; resetting it can fix multiple issues. 

Sometimes, your MacBook wont turn on after SMC reset, and it halts your productivity. In this article, we will discuss SMC, its core functions, how to reset SMC settings, and what to do if the Macbook wont turn on post reset. 

Functions That SMC Controls

The functions that SMC handles are numerous, but they depend on the Mac model you are using. On a broader level, the SMC controls the list of functions mentioned herein:

• When you turn the power button on, the SMC responds by deciding if the press is for sleep, power-off, or accidental. 
• Manages your MacBook’s battery performance, such as charging, calibration, or displaying the battery time. 
• Uses the Sudden Motion Sensor feature of the laptop to respond to sudden activity and acts accordingly to prevent damage.  
• Controls keyboard backlighting feature, status indicator lights, built-in display backlighting, sleep mode functions, and relevant functions. 
• Starts and controls power-up and spin-down sequences.
• Controls trackpad functions on Mac computers with a trackpad. 
• Controls internal and external video resources on iMacs with video capabilities.

Why Do You Need to Reset SMC?

Resetting the SMC can fix many hardware-related issues that you are experiencing on your Mac. You will also need to reset NVRAM Mac in some cases, particularly when you are finding difficulties with the startup disk. If your Mac displays any of the following symptoms, resetting the SMC can help.

• When your computer enters sleep mode unexpectedly when you are working on it. 
• When the computer is not entering or waking from sleep mode.
• The MacBook fails to respond to the opening or closing of the lid or fails to respond to the power button. 
• When the computer performs sluggishly even if Activity Monitor displays little CPU usage. 
• The power indicator displays incorrectly, or the Target Display Mode fails to work appropriately. 
• When the BlueTooth is not working appropriately, fans run faster than normal, or the USB ports are not working properly. 
• If the WiFi hardware is reported as unmapped, missing, or malfunctioning. 
• The status indicator lights are not working normally or are stuck in a static state. 
• When the Dock icon keeps bouncing without proper app launching. 
• When the display backlight stops responding to ambient light changes.

How to Reset SMC on MacBooks With T2 Chip

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models launched in 2018 and in later years contain T2 chips. The process to reset SMC on these Mac models is:

1. Turn your Mac off, press the power button, hold it for 10 seconds, and then release the button. 
2. Press down the power button after a couple of seconds to turn on your computer normally. 

If the problem continues, proceed further with the steps given below:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold down the right Shift key along with the left Control key and the left Option key for at least seven seconds. 
3. Next, press the power button While continuing to hold down these keys for another seven seconds. 
4. Now, release all the keys together.
5. At last, press the power button to turn on your MacBook. 

How to Reset SMC on Mac Desktops

The process of resetting SMC on Mac desktops is quite different from that of resetting it on MacBooks. 

1. Shut down your Mac desktop and unplug the power cord. 
2. Now plug in the power cord after waiting for 15 seconds. 
3. Turn on your Mac by pressing the power button after 5 seconds. 

When MacBook Reset Wont Work

If your MacBook wont turn on after SMC reset or display the same problem that you were experiencing before SMC reset, you need to follow an alternate troubleshooting method. Sometimes, reinstalling or updating the operating system is all you need to fix some hardware and software-related issues. 

Make sure to back up your computer regularly to avoid data loss in such situations. You can move data to iCloud or external storage media to fix any storage-related issues on internal devices. 

If you reset SMC recently and the computer wont turn after you press the power button, try the workarounds mentioned below:

• Make sure that the computer is connected to an AC power outlet and has a sufficient power supply. If your computer doesn’t have a built-in display, ensure that the external display is connected to your Mac, has enough power supply, and is turned on. 

• Press and hold down the power button for at least 10 seconds, and then release it slowly. This may help you start your computer normally, and you may be able to continue functioning with no further interruptions. 

• If the computer starts but stops on a different screen during startup, you will need to troubleshoot according to the screen you see. For example, your Mac may stop on a screen that displays a question mark, a circle with a line through it, gear icon options, a blank screen, or similar. So, you will have to search the web to find an appropriate solution.