How To MAC
by Niharika

How to Reset the PRAM and SMC on a Mac 

October 13, 2026
0

Knowing how to reset PRAM on a Mac helps if you are experiencing hardware or system problems, such as strange screen resolution changes or lost speaker volume preferences. It also helps troubleshoot hardware issues, such as a Mac failing to boot properly or showing a question mark on startup. PRAM, or Parameter Random Access Memory, stores key system settings and customizations, such as startup disk selection, time and date, and volume. Modern Macs replace PRAM with NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory), which performs the same functions as PRAM, but without requiring a battery to retain its data.

In addition to PRAM or NVRAM, Macs also have SMC (System Management Controller) memory to manage hardware-related functions. Resetting SMC can also fix several common issues, such as the Mac not turning on or turning off unexpectedly, the battery not charging, the Mac overheating, display flickering, a malfunctioning keyboard backlight or trackpad, an uncontrollable fan, and other hardware problems.

This article explains in detail how to reset NVRAM/PRAM and SMC on a Mac, beginning with a quick overview of these memory types and when to reset them.

Table of Contents hide

What Is PRAM or NVRAM

Parameter Random Access Memory, or PRAM, is a small area of a Mac’s RAM that stores various macOS settings and parameters. It stores the necessary system configuration information, such as screen resolution, time zone, color depth, mouse speed, speaker volume, and startup volume selection, required when the Mac starts.

Unlike RAM, PRAM does not store information temporarily; it is a non-volatile memory that retains the information permanently, even after you shut down the device, using a small battery.

Modern Intel-based Macs replace PRAM with NVRAM. NVRAM is non-volatile random access memory with the same properties and functions as PRAM but holds less information.

When to Reset PRAM or NVRAM

You should reset your PRAM or NVRAM if you experience problems such as resolution changes or connectivity issues. An NVRAM or PRAM reset can help fix issues like the keyboard behaving erratically, volume control not working properly, mouse not working as expected, incorrect time and/or date, and unexpected screen resolution changes.

However, resetting the PRAM or NVRAM should be the last option after exhausting all the other ways to solve the problem, such as restarting the device and cleaning your Mac.

How to Reset PRAM or NVRAM on a Mac

Use a combination of the Option, Command, P, and R keys to reset Mac PRAM or NVRAM. Below are the detailed steps to do this; these steps apply to all Mac devices, including MacBook Air, iMac, and MacBook Pro.

  • Shut down your Mac.
  • Disconnect all USB devices; leave only the wired keyboards connected.
  • Press the Power button on your Mac to turn it on.
  • Press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound twice. On Macs that do not have a startup sound, the Apple logo will appear and vanish twice.
Press the Option, Command, P, and R
  • Release the keys to continue the usual Mac startup.

If resetting PRAM or NVRAM does not fix the issue, reset SMC.

What Is SMC

A System Management Controller, or SMC, is a chip on the motherboards of Intel-based Macs that stores essential information to control hardware components, such as the fan, built-in camera, and display backlight.

When to Reset SMC

Reset SMC if you notice any hardware component-related symptoms, such as the battery not charging properly, the Mac won’t start, fans running at full speed, MacBook or MacBook Pro overheating, the built-in camera not working, issues with keyboard backlight, status lights, or display backlight, or the Mac sleeps or shuts down without warning.

How to Reset SMC

The steps to reset the SMC on a Mac vary depending on the device model. The guide below explains how to reset the SMC on Intel-based Macs. Mac devices based on the Apple silicon M1 and M2 processors do not have an SMC, as the chip itself performs the SMC functions on these devices. On Macs with Apple silicon M1 and M2 processors, turning off the device and waiting for 30 seconds before restarting it gives results similar to an SMC reset. Below is the process to reset the SMC on various Mac models.

How to reset the SMC on MacBook Air, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros (Post-2018 models)

MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook models from 2018 and later have the Apple T2 Security Chip. To reset the SMC on these Mac devices, use the combination of Control, Option, Shift, and Power keys. Here is how.

  • Shut down your Mac.
  • Press and hold the Power button for at least 10 seconds.
  • Let go of the Power button.
  • If the Power button does not solve the problem, shut down the Mac device.
  • Press and hold the right Shift key, left Option key, and the left Control key for seven seconds.
  • Press and hold the Power button along with the right Shift key, left Option key, and the left Control key.
  • Continue holding down the Power button along with the right Shift key, left Option key, and the left Control key for another seven seconds.
  • If your Mac device has turned on, holding down the above four keys turns it off again.
  • Let go of all four keys and wait for another couple of seconds before restarting your Mac.

Also know: How to remove the activation lock on a MacBook? 

How to reset the SMC on MacBook Air, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros (Pre-2018 models)

MacBook Air, MacBook, and MacBook Pro models before 2018 do not have an Apple T2 Security Chip. Moreover, whether a pre-2018 Mac has a removable or non-removable battery also impacts the SMC reset process on these devices.

On pre-2018 Macs with a non-removable battery, you can use the Shift, Control, Option, and Power button to reset the SMC. On pre-2018 Macs with a removable battery, no such key combination is required. Below is how to reset the SMC on a pre-2018 Mac with a removable battery and a non-removable battery.

How to reset a pre-2018 Mac’s SMC (device with a removable battery)

  • Shut down your Mac device.
  • Remove the battery from your Mac.
  • Press the Power button and hold it for five seconds.
  • Re-insert the battery and switch on your MacBook.

How to reset a pre-2018 Mac’s SMC (device with a non-removable battery)

  • Shut down your Mac.
  • Connect your Mac to a power adapter.
  • Press and hold the left Shift, Control, Option, and Power button for 10 seconds.
  • Release all the keys.
  • Press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

Hope this resets the PRAM/NVRAM and SMC on your Mac. However, if you have any questions or confusion, you can find the answers in the frequently asked questions below.

Also know: Fix Mac External Hard Drive Not Mounting

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it safe to reset PRAM on a Mac?

A PRAM reset is safe since it does not harm your Mac. However, it reverts your device to its factory settings, deleting any customization you made to your device’s system settings.

Q2. Is it safe to reset the SMC?

It is safe to reset the SMC. However, check the battery system preferences after the reset to ensure your customizations are in place.

Q3. How often should I reset PRAM or NVRAM?

Reset PRAM or NVRAM on your Mac only when a problem occurs.

Q4. Does resetting PRAM fix battery and fan issues?

No, a PRAM reset does not fix battery and fan problems; an SMC reset fixes them.

Q5. What does resetting PRAM or NVRAM do on a Mac?

A PRAM or NVRAM reset on a Mac reverts the device’s system settings to the factory default, deleting your customizations.

Q6. What will happen if I reset the SMC on my Mac?

Resetting the SMC on a Mac clears out temporary data associated with low-level hardware functions and reverts these settings to factory defaults.

Q7. What should I do if a PRAM reset does not solve the issue?

If resetting PRAM does not solve your problem, reset the SMC and, if you are running the latest macOS and an older Mac, ensure they are compatible.

Author

Niharika

Niharika is a passionate soul who finds immense satisfaction in putting all her thoughts in writing. Being a technology enthusiast, she loves learning new things about tech and making everyone technologically literate through her articles. When not composing tech articles, you can find her bringing characters to life in her fictional stories, reading something intriguing, or spending time with her near and dear ones.

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Related Posts
Best Free File Rename Software For Mac In 2024

14 Best Free File Rename Software For Mac In 2024

March 19, 2024
0

Managing and organizing your Photos, videos, documents, contacts, and more is an extremely painstaking task, especially if you have a massive amount of files and folders stored on your Mac.

If you’re a professional photographer or a graphic designer, you must have been aware of how difficult and overwhelming it can get to rename your files one by one.

In such scenarios, you need nothing less than the best file renaming software that will help you batch rename multiple files in less than a minute.  

Since there are plenty of options out there, we’ve rounded up a bunch of best free file rename software for Mac, so you can decide which suits your needs perfectly. 

14 Best Batch File Renaming Software For Mac 2024

Here we present our top choices for the best batch files rename tools for Mac. Let’s check them out:

1. NameChanger

NameChanger - Best Free File Rename Software

Anyone who wants to rename multiple files in bulk should check out this excellent tool from MRR Software. To rename them, all you need to do is drag and drop the files to the application and set your criteria.

Here are some criteria you can choose to change the selected file names:

  • Replace First Occurrence with
  • Replace Last Occurrence with
  • Replace All Occurrences with
  • Wildcard
  • Append
  • Character Removal

NameChanger is undoubtedly one of the most highly-rated file renaming tools that offer support for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and later.

2. A Better Finder Rename

A Better Finder Rename

The next file renaming utility on our list is called ‘A Better Finder Rename’. It has great potential if you want to change tens of thousands of file names in real-time. It offers a host of file renaming features that are organized into 15 different categories, covering various other areas like text, tags, truncation, character, conversion, and more. 

For example, the character category covers the following areas:

  • Replace specific characters
  • Remove specific characters
  • Keep only specific characters
  • Remove trailing spaces
  • Remove vowels 

On top of this, it seamlessly works with all popular images formats, including JPEG, ARW, TIFF, HEIC, CRW, etc. That’s what makes it one of the best free file rename tools available in the industry today.

Read More: 15 Best Android File Manager Apps 

3. Renamer 6

Renamer 6

One solid file renaming software to try is Renamer, a well-designed product that works with macOS 10.14 Mojave or higher versions. It holds strong batch renaming capabilities that allows users to change the name of their files with just a click of a button. Here are some of its prominent features:

  • Convert the filenames to upper and lower case letters 
  • Add folder names
  • Find and replace text
  • Change file extensions, etc.

Apart from this, Renamer has an intuitive interface that is designed with ease-of-use in mind.

4. ExifRenamer

ExifRenamer

One of the most significant options for the best free file rename software for Mac is ExifRenamer. What’s great about this software compared to other tools is that it automatically changes the name of recently added or downloaded files without any human intervention. 

Here’s what you can do with ExifRenamer:

  • Add a prefix and suffix to the original filenames
  • Add date/time to filenames
  • Add data source

File preview, sequence counter, customizable naming styles, destination folder creation are some of its other notable features.

Read More: Best Free PDF Editors For Mac

5. Smart File Renamer

Smart File Renamer

As the name suggests, it does a smart job in batch renaming files, folders or even entire hard disks with the help of extremely flexible rename patterns.

Being one of the best batch files rename tools, it focuses on making the file renaming process simple by providing a host of excellent features such as bulk rename, custom filters, photo metadata, audio tags, and lots more.

6. vRenamer

vRenamer

vRenamer is another fully-featured file renaming software for both novice and experienced Mac users seeking to reorganize thousands of items at once. The interface of the tool is quite fast and intuitive that allows you to easily navigate and perform your desired operations.

Here are some of its notable offerings: 

  • Drag and drop files or entire folders
  • Rename items from a Txt or CSV list
  • Preview files before renaming
  • Rename file using pictures metadata
  • Rename music items using ID3 audio tags

Simple to use and incredibly designed product, this undeniably deserves a more recognition in the world of mass rename applications.

Read More: Best File and Folder Lock Software For Windows

7. Name Mangler

Name Mangler

Are you still looking for the batch files rename tools for Mac? If you haven’t already made up your mind, then take a glimpse at some extraordinary features of this program that make it worth considering.

  • It’s a highly customizable tool with an intuitive and easy to use interface
  • Extremely fast utility, claims to rename 5,000 items in just 3 seconds
  • It offers more than 150 metadata options to ease the process
  • Users can share their file renaming  configurations between Macs via emails

All in all, the performance of Name Mangler when it comes to renaming files in real-time is exceptional.

8. Transnomino

Transnomino

Transnomino can easily rename the file according to your requirement. Other than just remaining the software can add attributes to the file name like the EXIF data, ID3, date- created, and many more. With the pre-set format the user can delete or change the dates the way they want them. The software offers a feature with which the user can add numbers at the beginning and at the end of the name. 

Here are some of its notable offerings: 

  • The user can rename files easily
  • User-friendly interface
  • Easy to add file attributes 

9. F2Utility

F2Utility

The software offers easy features that help in renaming the files, without having tools the user can easily remain using the F2Utility. With this software, the user can create a new name, edit, trim, and do everything which they like. Just drag and drop the file in the software to rename. That’s how simple it is with F2Utitlity, which is why it is the best rename software for Mac.

Here are some of its notable offerings: 

  • Add prefix and suffix to the name
  • The software uses regex or regular strings to rename
  • Suggest the file which can be renamed
  • Easy and user-friendly interface

10. Bulk Rename Utility

Bulk Rename Utility

Bulk Rename Utility is another popular file-renaming program for Windows. It is one of the best file renamers that can simultaneously rename multiple files and multiple folders. Beginners may find the home screen a bit complicated, but it will actually become easy to use once you understand how to use it. The process of renaming files/folders has never been easier.

The following are the major features of Bulk Rename Utility:

  • Modifying, adding, and deleting text in the file names.
  • Supports usual expressions.
  • Available in both portable and installable versions.
  • Simultaneously rename multiple files.
  • Renames MP3 files.
  • Removes the symbols or digits.

Bulk Rename Utility is compatible with all Windows versions including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It is powerful, lightweight, and superfast file-renaming software that you can use in 2024.

11. Rename X

Rename X for mac

The next name on this list of the best file-renaming software for Mac is Rename X. The tool is quite user-friendly and allows you to rename multiple files at once. Apart from this, you can also rename the files individually if necessary. The tool allows you to review the files before and after renaming them.

The following are the major features of Rename X:

  • Lightning-fast UI and build
  • Available at very low price of $2.99
  • Contains presets
  • Saves user profiles

12. Inviska Rename

Inviska Rename

Let us introduce you to Inviska Rename. It is among the best file rename software for Mac because of its cross-platform availability, file renaming using EXIF information, user-friendly interface, and the following incredible features.

The following are the major features of Inviska Rename:

  • Supports batch file renaming
  • Full Unicode support to help you rename in any language
  • Allows you to undo previous file names to restore the original name
  • Lets you save rename settings for future use

13. File Rename Pro

File Rename Pro

Here’s yet another file rename software for macOS in 2024. With the help of File Rename Pro, you can rename multiple files in a batch.

The following are the major features of File Rename Pro:

  • Minimalistic use interface
  • Beginner friendly
  • Smart UI

14. Advanced Renamer

Advanced Renamer

Here’a another one of the best file renamer software for you in 2024 that will help you rename multiple files and couemtns in a batch. With the help of this tool, you can ease up the annoying task of renaming files.

The following are the major features of Advanced Renamer:

  • Smart user interface
  • Easy to use

Final Verdict

Now that you know how to rename files in bulk, we suggest you compare the aforementioned batch file rename tools and choose the one that best suits your needs.

So, folks, this concludes our guide. We hope our fact-filled, curated list helped you sort out the best free file rename software for Mac.

Do let us know your favorite ones in the comments section below! Also, share your thoughts if you want to add any other popular tools in this list.

alt tab not working in Windows 11, 10

Alt Tab Not Working in Windows 10, 11 {Solved}

June 21, 2023
0

Alt tab not working in Windows 10, 11? Don’t worry, if you are facing this problem, there are a number of tried and tested solutions that help you resolve the problem, easily & quickly. 

Keyboard shortcuts provide people who use PCs the opportunity to accomplish a variety of tasks on their machines. The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut is the most frequently used keyboard shortcut. It allows the user to transition between tabs & may be of great assistance while doing many tasks.

However, a lot of Windows PC users have claimed that the Alt-Tab key in Windows 11/10 doesn’t function properly while they’re trying to play games or open vital apps. According to our research, the primary cause of this issue is inaccurate or incompatible settings that have been manually altered on your PC or that have been generated by an application developed by a third party.

In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at the several workarounds that have proven successful in resolving the Alt tab not working on Windows 11, 10.

Why is Alt Tab Not Working in Windows 11, 10?

On a computer running Windows 11 or 10, the following are some of the most typical reasons for this problem:

Hardware Failure: If you’re experiencing problems with the Alt + Tab keys, it is probable that dirt has harmed your keyboard, or that it has simply broken down. You may quickly determine whether or not the issue is caused by your keyboard by using the Alt-Tab key combination on another keyboard that is connected to your computer and seeing whether it works. whether it does, then the issue is caused by your keyboard.

Third-Party Applications: The inability to use Alt-Tab in Windows 11 may be due to one of the many third-party keyboard programs that have the capability to impede the performance of your keyboard.

Driver Issue: When you run into the problem of the Alt-Tab not functioning, you should be aware that the majority of problems that may occur on a Windows computer are typically the consequence of drivers that have become obsolete.

Incompatible Keyboard Settings: It’s possible that this problem was brought about by incompatible keyboard settings, which might have been brought about by an effect brought about by third-party software or by a human adjustment.

Solutions to Fix Alt Tab Not Working in Windows 11, 10

Here are several potential solutions for the Alt-Tab not working issue in Windows 11/10. However, before attempting any of these options, you should first restart your computer since doing so may often assist resolve issues of this kind.

Solution 1: Restart Windows Explorer

Some individuals have said that they were successful in resolving the problem of the Alt Tab key not working on Windows 11/10 by doing a refresh of the Windows Explorer application. To fix the issue, follow the steps below:

Step 1: To open the Task Manager, right-click the Start menu and then pick it.

Step 2: Locate Windows Explorer under the tab labeled Processes, right-click it, and choose the Restart option from the context menu.

Restart Windows Explorer

Also Read: How to Fix Keyboard Spacebar Not Working in Windows 10, 11

Solution 2: Modify Keyboard Registry Settings

You may also attempt to repair this problem by making a change to the configuration for the keyboard in the Windows Registry. This is another option available to you. This is the procedure to follow:

Step 1: To open the Run Command Box, press the Windows key + R keys simultaneously.

Step 2: Then press Enter after typing regedit.

Step 3: In the Registry window, go to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Step 4: In the Explorer menu, you should be able to find the AltTabSettings option.Modify Keyboard Registry Settings

Step 5: If you are unable to locate the AltTabSettings option, right-click on Explorer, choose New from the drop-down menu that appears, and then pick DWORD (32-bit) Value from the resulting menu. If AltTabSettings is already located under Explorer, go directly to step 7 of the process.

Step 6: Double-click on the newly generated route, and then rename the Value name property to AltTabSettings, choose Hexadecimal as the Base, and type 1 into the Value data property.AltTabSettings

Step 7: To change the base to hexadecimal and the value data to 1, double-click on the AltTabSettings icon.

Also Read: How to Fix Keyboard Slow Response in Windows 10, 11

Solution 3: Update the Keyboard Driver

It is essential to be aware that keyboard drivers should be updated on a consistent basis since it is possible that failure to do so might result in malfunctioning keyboards. You can visit the official website of your keyboard manufacturer and manually download the compatible drivers. However, this might be time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, we suggest using Bit Driver Updater to automatically and hassle-free perform the driver installation process.

Bit Driver Updater automatically detects your PC and finds the available drivers for it. You can either use the free version or the pro version of Bit Driver Updater to install the driver updates on your system. The pro version provides a 60-day full money-back guarantee and 24/7 technical support.

Below is how to update an outdated driver with Bit Driver Updater:

Step 1: Download and install Bit Driver Updater from the button below.

Windows-Download-Button

Step 2: Launch the Bit Driver Updater and click on the Scan option from the left menu pane.Scan outdated driver of your windows pc

Step 3: After that, wait for the scanning to be completed. 

Step 4: Once done, check the scan results and click on the Update Now button available next to the driver you wish to update, but if you are using the pro version, then you install all Pc drivers in one go. For this, you simply need to click on the Update All option.Update all outdated driver of your windows pc

After installing the latest keyboard drivers, check to see if the Alt tab not working issue is resolved. If not, then try another solution.

Also Read: How to Fix Corsair Mouse and Keyboard Not Working

Solution 4: Disable Sticky Key Feature

The sticky key is a helpful feature that is available on Windows systems that makes it easy to utilize keyboard shortcuts. On the other hand, it may sometimes create problems and might be the reason why Alt Tab not working properly. As a result, you need to deactivate the function and check to see whether the problem still exists after doing so.

Step 1: To launch the Settings menu on your computer, press the Windows key + I keys together.

Step 2: Choose Accessibility from the menu on the left, and then choose Keyboard from that menu.

Step 3: Toggle the slider for the Sticky Keys option after navigating to the same.

Solution 5: Use Another Keyboard

If some keystrokes on your keyboard aren’t working, this might be the cause of why the Alt Tab key on your Windows computer isn’t operating properly. You may eliminate the likelihood of this happening by using a different keyboard. There are a variety of possible explanations for this phenomenon.

Additionally, you may also try tapping the other Alt key on your keyboard in order to see if that helps. If the issue does not manifest itself when you use the other keyboard, you will need to either buy a new keyboard or have an experienced technician repair the one you are now using.

Also Read: How to Fix Keyboard Numbers Typing Symbols

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Alt Tab Not Working

Q.1 How Do I Reset the Keyboard Settings to their Defaults?

If you wish to restore the default settings for the keyboard on your Windows PC, you may do so by following the instructions below:

  • To enter the Settings menu on your computer, press the Windows key + I.
  • Choose the Time & Language option, then click Language & Region from the menu that appears.
  • To add a language to your list of preferred languages, choose the option to Add a language.
  • Select English (Canada), and then select the Next button. Now you may proceed to click the Install button and wait for the language to download.
  • Simply right-click on the three dots that are located in front of the new language, and then choose the Move Up option.
  • After that, pick Move up from the context menu that appears when you right-click the three dots that are located in front of your previous language.
  • The above procedure will reset your keyboard settings to default.

Q.2 Can Malware Cause the Alt Tab Shortcut Not to Work?

Altering the settings on your keyboard on a Windows PC will often result in the alt-tab keys being inoperable. In addition, malicious software might have changed these keyboard settings, which would explain why the Alt and Tab keys aren’t functioning.

Q.3 What Keys Work for Switching Tabs On Windows 11?

Users of Windows PCs have access to a wide variety of shortcuts that make it easier for them to carry out certain operations. With the use of one of these keyboard shortcuts, known as Alt + Tab, you may navigate between tabs on the browser without having to move the mouse around the taskbar.

Q.4 How Do I Get the Old Alt-Tab in Windows 11?

Follow these instructions to activate the classic Alt+Tab dialog in Windows 11.

  • To launch the Registry Editor, press the Win key + the R key simultaneously, then type regedit into the Run box and hit Enter.
  • To access the following key, go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. You need to just copy & paste this route into the address bar of the regedit program.
  • When you right-click anywhere in the right pane, a menu will appear that allows you to choose New > 32-bit DWORD.
  • Re-name the new value to AltTabSettings.
  • Double-click on it, and then change the value data to 1 in the respective box.
  • Click the Start button with your right mouse button, then pick Shut down or sign out, followed by Sign Out.

Q.5 Why is My PC Keyboard Not Working?

It’s possible that a PC keyboard won’t work for a number of different reasons, the most frequent of which are a malfunctioning piece of hardware, an issue with the keyboard’s settings, or a driver problem.

Also Read: How to Fix Keyboard Not Working on Windows 10

How to Fix Alt Tab Not Working in Windows 11, 10: Explained

The Alt Tab keyboard shortcut makes it simple to navigate between different tabs that are currently open on your computer. If you’re having trouble using the Alt-Tab key, there are a couple of potential fixes that we covered in this piece that you may look into.

We hope you found the tutorial on how to fix the Alt tab not working in Windows 11/10 helpful. Do let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions or further suggestions.

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