Resetting NVRAM on Mac: Guide for Intel and Apple Silicon

Introduction / Why This Is Needed

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) is a small area of memory on your Mac's logic board that retains certain system settings even when the computer is turned off. Parameters stored in it include:

• System sound volume level.
• Selected startup disk.
• Screen resolution and refresh rate (for external monitors).
• Time and language settings.
• Sleep mode state.

Over time or after a software malfunction, data in NVRAM can become corrupted, leading to issues: Mac won't boot from the correct disk, the screen flickers, audio distorts, or some functions stop working. Resetting NVRAM restores default settings and often resolves these problems without losing personal data.

This guide will help you safely reset NVRAM on any Mac—whether it has an Intel processor or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3).

Requirements / Preparation

Before you begin, ensure:

1. Your Mac is completely shut down (not in sleep mode).
2. You know your processor type (Intel or Apple Silicon)—see step 1 of the instructions.
3. You have access to a physical keyboard (for key combinations).
4. No external disks are connected (if the issue is related to startup disk selection, you can disconnect them temporarily).
5. A backup is not required, but recommended (via Time Machine) for peace of mind.

For Macs with Apple Silicon, ensure you have administrator privileges to change startup settings.

Step 1: Resetting NVRAM on an Intel-based Mac

This method works on all Macs with Intel processors (up to and including 2020 models).

1. Fully shut down your Mac. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select "Shut Down". Wait for it to power off completely.
2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press the key combination: Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + P + R. Hold them continuously.
3. Release the keys after 20 seconds. On older Mac models (pre-2011), you may hear a second startup chime—this signals the process is complete. On newer models, the screen may flash or the Apple logo may appear and disappear.
4. Your Mac will restart automatically. After booting, you may notice the volume has returned to its default level and the startup disk selection has been reset.

💡 Tip: If you have a MacBook, connect it to power to prevent the process from being interrupted by a low battery.

Step 2: Resetting NVRAM on an Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3)

On Macs with Apple Silicon chips, NVRAM is reset differently. It typically doesn't contain critical settings requiring manual reset, but if your system recommends it (e.g., after a firmware update), follow these instructions.

Method A: Through System Settings (Recommended)

1. Open System Settings → General → Startup Disk.
2. In the bottom-right corner, click the "Reset NVRAM" button.
3. Enter your administrator password and confirm the action.
4. Your Mac will restart. The NVRAM settings will be reset.

Method B: Key Combination at Startup (if Method A is unavailable)

1. Completely shut down your Mac (Apple menu → "Shut Down").
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release it.
3. Immediately press and hold the Command (⌘) + Option + P + R key combination for 20 seconds.
4. Release the keys. Your Mac will boot up. This method works but is rarely necessary on Apple Silicon.

Step 3: Verify the Result

After your Mac boots up, check if the reset was successful:

1. Check the volume: Press the volume adjustment keys. The level should be at the default (usually around 50%), not whatever it was set to before.
2. Check the startup disk: Open System Settings → General → Startup Disk. Your primary system disk (usually "Macintosh HD") should be selected.
3. Check screen resolution: If you use an external monitor, ensure the resolution and refresh rate match the monitor's native settings (System Settings → Displays).
4. Check time and language: In the Apple menu → "System Settings" → "General" → "Language & Region" and "Date & Time" should be correct.

If the problem that prompted you to reset NVRAM persists (e.g., Mac won't boot from the correct disk), the issue may lie elsewhere, such as with the SMC. In that case, proceed to reset the SMC (see the related guide).

Potential Issues

Issue: Key combination doesn't work / Mac is unresponsive

• Solution: Ensure you press the keys immediately after turning on the Mac (or pressing the power button). On Apple Silicon Macs, the combination might not work if you used Method A. Try again, pressing the keys more quickly.

Issue: Settings reset but the problem remains

• Solution: NVRAM may not have been the cause. Check:
  • Disk integrity: Boot into recovery mode (hold the power button at startup, select "Options" → "Utilities" → "Disk Utility") and run "First Aid" on your disk.
  • SMC reset: For Intel Macs, this can help with power and management issues. For Apple Silicon, the SMC resets automatically upon reboot.
  • macOS Update: Install the latest updates via System Settings → "Software Update".

Issue: No "Reset NVRAM" button on Apple Silicon Mac

• Solution: This option appeared in macOS Ventura and later. If it's missing, update your system. If the issue is serious (e.g., booting from the wrong disk), try resetting via Terminal in recovery mode: nvram -c (requires root privileges).

Issue: Mac won't boot after the reset

• Solution: A rare case, but possible if the system disk is corrupted. Boot into recovery mode (hold the power button, select "Options" → "Startup Disk") and choose the correct volume. If that fails, you may need to reinstall macOS.