What is a Hard Reset?
A hard reset, also known as a forced restart, is when you restart your MacBook Pro without going through the normal restart process. It’s essentially forcing your MacBook to turn off and then back on again. This can help solve issues like a frozen screen, app crashes, or other software problems.
Some key things to know about a hard reset:
- It forces your Mac to restart, closing all open apps and windows.
- No data is lost, but any unsaved work will be closed.
- It’s more drastic than a normal restart, so should only be used when a normal restart doesn’t work.
- On MacBooks with a T2 security chip, a hard reset also resets the chip and requires you to enter your password to decrypt your hard drive after.
Overall, a hard reset is a useful troubleshooting step for a Mac that’s acting up or frozen, but it shouldn’t be your first option. Try a normal restart first before attempting a hard reset.
When to Hard Reset a MacBook Pro
There are a few scenarios where you may want to hard reset a MacBook Pro:
- The screen is frozen – If mouse/trackpad input doesn’t work and you can’t force quit apps, a hard reset can get your Mac responding again.
- The Mac is acting slow or glitchy – An abrupt hard reset can clear out any hung processes or apps slowing down your Mac.
- Apps are crashing frequently – Several app crashes in a row may indicate deeper issues that warrant a hard reset.
- You can’t shut down normally – If your Mac won’t power down through the Apple menu, you’ll have to force a hard reset instead.
- Keyboard shortcuts aren’t working – Stuck keys or unresponsive shortcuts may require a hard reset to get functioning again.
- You forgot your password – If you can’t recall your user account password to unlock your Mac, a hard reset lets you access password recovery options.
A hard reset can be an effective way to revive an unresponsive MacBook Pro. But try not to make it your go-to solution, as frequent hard resets are not great for the overall health of your machine.
How to Hard Reset a MacBook Pro with T2 Security Chip
Recent MacBook Pro models from 2016 and later contain Apple’s T2 security chip. This changes the hard reset process slightly compared to older MacBooks without the T2 chip. Here are the steps to hard reset a newer MacBook Pro:
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a hard shutdown.
- Once the Mac shuts down, wait a few moments then press the power button again to restart it.
- Because the T2 chip has just been reset, you’ll see a progress bar below the Apple logo as your encrypted hard drive is being repaired. This may take up to 30 seconds.
- Finally, you’ll be prompted to enter your Mac’s user account password before the hard drive can be accessed again. Type in your password and hit Enter.
Once signed back in, you can use your MacBook Pro like normal again. This extra step with the T2 chip is normal after a hard reset. The T2 chip provides encryption and security for your Mac, so it requires your password after a force restart just like logging in from a cold boot.
How to Hard Reset Older MacBook Pros
On older MacBook Pro models from 2015 and earlier, there is no T2 chip. This streamlines the hard reset process:
- Press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to force shut down the MacBook.
- After the Mac shuts off, release the power button and wait a few moments.
- Press the power button again to restart the MacBook Pro.
And that’s it! Without the T2 chip, there’s no extra step required to decrypt the hard drive. The MacBook Pro will boot up normally again after a few moments.
How to Reset SMC on MacBook Pro
In some instances, you may need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your MacBook Pro instead of a full hard reset.
The SMC controls low-level functions like charging, sleep, fans, and indicator lights. Resetting it can help resolve quirky problems like:
- Battery not charging properly
- Fans running constantly
- Lights like caps lock not illuminating
- Mac not waking from sleep
- Mac won’t turn on
Here are the steps to reset SMC on MacBook Pros:
- Shut down your MacBook Pro.
- Press Shift-Control-Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press the power button at the same time.
- Keep holding all four keys for 10 seconds.
- Release the keys and press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
This will reset the MacBook Pro’s SMC controller without rebooting the actual operating system. Give it a try before a full hard reset if you’re experiencing hardware-related issues.
What Happens When You Hard Reset a MacBook Pro?
When you force a hard restart on a MacBook Pro, here’s a rundown of what happens:
- All open apps and windows are closed without warning, which will cause unsaved work to be lost.
- Any programs or processes that had frozen or were not responding will be forced to quit.
- Hardware components like RAM and connections will reset.
- On models with the Apple T2 chip, the security component gets reset.
- The MacBook will restart itself, which may take longer than a standard reboot.
Essentially, a hard reset closes everything that was open and starts fresh. This can resolve software crashes, glitches, and freezes. However, frequent hard resets are not recommended.
Normal restarting only resets open software. A hard reset resets open software and hardware components, which adds stress over time. Try to only do a hard reset when absolutely necessary.
Why Avoid Hard Resetting Too Often
While a hard reset can get a frozein notebook functioning again, there are some downsides to using it too frequently:
- More wear and tear on hardware – Repeatedly powering down abruptly can stress components.
- T2 chip resets each time – Frequent hard resets fatigue the encryption chip on newer Macs.
- Potential data loss – Unsaved files will be lost when force quitting apps.
- Doesn’t fix underlying issues – Hard resets treats the symptom but not the problem.
- Startup issues – Core system files can become corrupted if reset too much.
As a good rule of thumb, only do a hard reset if you absolutely have to. Try restarting normally first, then only force reset if that doesn’t work. And if you find yourself needing to hard reset very frequently, get your Mac checked in case of a larger problem.
How to Reset NVRAM on MacBook Pro
NVRAM stands for non-volatile random-access memory. This memory store’s information about your Mac’s startup disk, display resolution, volume settings, and more.
Resetting the NVRAM can help fix issues like:
- Settings changing back after restarting
- Mac randomly shutting down
- Boot problems or getting stuck at startup
- Display or sound issues
To reset the NVRAM on a MacBook Pro:
- Shut down your MacBook Pro.
- Turn it back on and immediately press Command + Option + P + R keys.
- Keep holding the four keys until you hear the startup chime a second time after rebooting.
- Release the keys and let your Mac finish starting up.
This will reset the NVRAM and refresh your Mac’s settings. Try it before a hard reset if you’re seeing system configuration issues.
How to Reset PRAM on MacBook Pro
PRAM stands for “parameter random-access memory” and contains low-level settings like time zone and speaker volume.
Resetting PRAM can help if your MacBook is acting abnormally in ways like:
- System crashes or freezes
- Settings not holding after reboot
- USB devices or keyboard not recognized
- Time and date resetting to default
To reset PRAM on a MacBook Pro:
- Shut down your laptop.
- Turn it back on and immediately press Command + Option + P + R.
- Keep the four keys held down until you hear the startup chime repeat itself twice.
- Let go of the keys and let your Mac finish starting normally.
This will reset the MacBook Pro’s PRAM. Try it before doing a full hard reset if you think your issues are parameter related.
What to Do After Hard Resetting MacBook Pro
After you’ve done a hard reset on your MacBook Pro, there are a few steps you can take once it’s back up and running:
- Make sure data is intact – Open your files and documents to confirm no data was lost from forced quitting.
- Allow time for reindexing – Spotlight and Time Machine will need time to re-catalog after a reset.
- Check for crashes in Console – The Console app may reveal what triggered the original crash.
- Update software and apps – An outdated OS or buggy app could be the source of problems.
- Clear browser caches – Helps resolve browser freezing issues after resetting.
- Check activity monitor – Frozen or crashed processes will show up under “Not Responding.”
- Try safe mode – Restart in safe mode to see if problems still occur when software is minimized.
Taking these follow up steps can help identify and prevent instability problems after resetting your MacBook Pro.
Best Practices to Avoid Needing Hard Resets
Resetting your MacBook Pro can be a useful troubleshooting technique when needed. But you ideally want to avoid needing to hard reset too often. Here are some best practices:
- Restart regularly – Don’t let your Mac run for days or weeks without restarting.
- Close unused apps – Don’t allow inactive apps to linger in the background.
- Update your software – Keep macOS and all apps current to prevent bugs.
- Clear caches – Empty browser caches to prevent slowdowns over time.
- Check for malware – Run antivirus software in case malware is causing glitches.
- Give the Mac space – Don’t block vents or airflow that could cause overheating.
- Monitor crashes – Use Console to identify any pattern to crashes.
Making restarting regularly, keeping your Mac maintained, and avoiding malware and overheating top priorities can go a long way towards preventing stability issues before they happen.
Signs You Should Take Your MacBook Pro to the Genius Bar
Hard resets are intended as a temporary solution to get a frozen or unresponsive Mac up and running again. But if you’re needing to hard reset your MacBook Pro frequently, that indicates a bigger problem.
Here are some signs it may be time to take your MacBook Pro into an Apple Store or authorized service provider:
- You need a hard reset more than once a week
- Hard resets are the only thing resolving your issues
- Your Mac freezes during the same tasks every time
- You experience random shutdowns or battery draining fast
- You see odd visual artifacts, distortion, or discoloration
- You recently spilled liquid on or dropped your MacBook
If your MacBook Pro is exhibiting any of those symptoms combined with needing frequent resets, it likely requires professional servicing. The Genius Bar can run diagnostics on your Mac, identify any underlying hardware issues causing system instability, and properly repair or replace components if needed.
Don’t force your MacBook to keep going by using hard resets as a crutch. Get an expert opinion to resolve severe freezing or crashing issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key combos to hard reset a MacBook Pro?
For MacBook Pros with the Apple T2 chip, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. For older models, press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds.
Will I lose any data from hard resetting?
Any unsaved work will be lost when force quitting apps and restarting. But no data is deleted during a hard reset.
How can I restart a frozen MacBook Pro?
If mouse/trackpad input is unresponsive, you’ll need to long press the power button to force a hard shutdown, then restart it.
Why won’t my MacBook Pro turn on or boot up?
If your MacBook Pro won’t startup normally or gets stuck, try SMC/PRAM resets. But a non-functional Mac may need service.
Do MacBook Pros have a reset pinhole?
No, there is no reset pinhole on modern MacBook Pros. The power button is used for forced restarts instead.
Conclusion
While an occasional hard reset can help get a frozen Mac functioning again, too many can wear down components over time. Try restarting normally first, isolate any crashing apps, and get your Mac serviced if stability issues continue. With proper maintenance and updating, most issues can be prevented before requiring a forced restart. But when needed, a hard reset provides a handy way to reboot an unresponsive MacBook Pro.