How to Reset a Broken Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are a Mac user and you are experiencing problems with your device, one of the first things you may consider doing is resetting it. There are several reasons why you may want to do this, such as fixing a glitch or software error, clearing up storage space, and starting fresh with a clean slate. However, resetting a broken Mac is not always a straightforward process, especially if you have never done it before. In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to reset a broken Mac, as well as some tips and tricks to make the process go smoothly. And if you're located in Welland, Ontario, you can always visit JTG Systems for professional assistance with your Mac repairs!

What Does it Mean to Reset a Mac?

Before we delve into the details of resetting a broken Mac, let's first define what it means to reset a Mac. In simple terms, resetting a Mac involves erasing the contents of the hard drive (or SSD) and reinstalling the operating system (OS). This process essentially wipes your Mac clean and restores it to its original state, as it was when you first bought it.

There are several ways you can reset a Mac, depending on the issues you are experiencing and the results you want to achieve. The most common methods include:

Resetting the SMC: resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) can help fix power-related issues, such as a Mac that won't turn on, won't charge, or has strange fan or keyboard behavior.
Resetting the NVRAM: resetting the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) can help fix issues related to the Mac's system preferences, such as sound volume, display resolution, and time zone.
Reinstalling macOS: reinstalling the macOS operating system can help fix various software-related issues, such as freezing, crashing, slow performance, and malware infections.
Erasing and reinstalling macOS: erasing the entire contents of the hard drive and reinstalling macOS can help fix severe software-related issues, as well as give you a fresh start with a clean hard drive.

In the following sections, we will explain each of these methods in more detail and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to perform them.

How to Reset the SMC on a Mac

The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for managing various hardware components of a Mac, including power, thermal management, and battery charging. If the SMC is not functioning correctly, your Mac may exhibit various power-related issues, such as not turning on, not charging, or having strange fan or keyboard behavior. Here's how to reset the SMC on a Mac:

Shut down your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Shut Down.
Disconnect all external devices from your Mac, including the power adapter if it's connected.
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release it.
Reconnect the power adapter if it was disconnected.
Press the power button to turn on your Mac.

If resetting the SMC does not resolve your Mac's issues, you may need to try other methods, such as resetting the NVRAM or reinstalling macOS.

How to Reset the NVRAM on a Mac

The Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM), also known as PRAM (Parameter RAM), stores various system settings, such as sound volume, display resolution, and time zone. If the NVRAM becomes corrupted or outdated, it can cause various system preference-related issues on a Mac. Here's how to reset the NVRAM on a Mac:

Shut down your Mac.
Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
Immediately press and hold the following keys for about 20 seconds until you hear a chime (or see the Apple logo twice if your Mac has a T2 chip): Command + Option + P + R.
Release the keys after the chime (or the second Apple logo) and let your Mac start up normally.
Adjust the system preferences as needed.

If resetting the NVRAM does not fix your Mac's issues, you may need to try other methods, such as reinstalling macOS.

How to Reinstall macOS on a Mac

Reinstalling macOS involves downloading and installing a fresh copy of the operating system over your current installation. This method can help fix various software-related issues, such as freezing, crashing, slow performance, and malware infections. However, it does not erase the contents of your hard drive, so you should back up your important data before proceeding. Here's how to reinstall macOS on a Mac:

Back up your Mac using Time Machine or other backup software.
Connect your Mac to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the following keys until you see the Apple logo: Command + R.
Release the keys when you see the spinning globe or the Apple logo.
Wait for your Mac to boot into Recovery Mode.
Select "Reinstall macOS" from the list of options and click Continue.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select your installation disk (usually Macintosh HD) and click Install.
Wait for macOS to download and install. Depending on your internet speed and the version of macOS you're installing, this process can take several minutes to several hours.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac, including signing in with your Apple ID, creating a user account, and restoring your data from the backup.

If reinstalling macOS does not solve your Mac's issues, you may need to try erasing and reinstalling macOS or seeking professional help from a Mac repair service, such as JTG Systems in Welland, Ontario.

How to Erase and Reinstall macOS on a Mac

Erasing your Mac's hard drive and reinstalling macOS is a more drastic measure that should only be done if other methods have failed or if you want to start fresh with a completely clean hard drive. This method will erase all the contents of your hard drive, so you should back up your important data before proceeding. Here's how to erase and reinstall macOS on a Mac:

Back up your Mac using Time Machine or other backup software.
Connect your Mac to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the following keys until you see the Apple logo: Command + R.
Release the keys when you see the spinning globe or the Apple logo.
Wait for your Mac to boot into Recovery Mode.
Select "Disk Utility" from the list of options and click Continue.
Select your Mac's startup disk (usually Macintosh HD) and click Erase.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select a format (usually APFS) and a name for your hard drive, and then click Erase.
Once your hard drive is erased, quit Disk Utility and select "Reinstall macOS" from the list of options.
Follow the on-screen instructions to select your newly erased installation disk and click Install.
Wait for macOS to download and install. Depending on your internet speed and the version of macOS you're installing, this process can take several minutes to several hours.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac, including signing in with your Apple ID, creating a user account, and restoring your data from the backup.

If erasing and reinstalling macOS does not fix your Mac's issues, you may need to seek professional help from a Mac repair service, such as JTG Systems in Welland, Ontario.

Conclusion

In summary, resetting a broken Mac can help fix various issues related to power, system preferences, and software. The methods for resetting a Mac include resetting the SMC, resetting the NVRAM, reinstalling macOS, and erasing and reinstalling macOS. Each method has its own set of pros and cons, and the one you choose depends on the severity and nature of your Mac's issues. If you're not comfortable performing these methods on your own, or if your Mac's problems persist even after resetting it, you should contact a professional Mac repair service, such as JTG Systems in Welland, Ontario.

FAQs

Q1: Can I reset a Mac without losing my data?

A: It depends on the method you use. Resetting the SMC and resetting the NVRAM do not erase your data, but reinstalling macOS and erasing and reinstalling macOS do. You should always back up your data before resetting your Mac.

Q2: What should I do if my Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode?

A: If your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode, try the following troubleshooting steps:

Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Option key to access the Startup Manager. From there, you can select the Recovery partition or an external startup disk.
Reset the SMC and NVRAM as described earlier in this post.
Boot from a bootable USB drive or DVD that contains macOS.
Contact a professional Mac repair service for assistance.

Q3: Can I reset a Mac to its factory settings without a password?

A: It depends on whether you have enabled FileVault encryption on your Mac. If you have, you will need to enter the recovery key or the iCloud credentials associated with the Mac. If you haven't, you can reset the Mac's administrator password using the Recovery Mode.