How to Reset NVRAM/PRAM on macOS

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Both non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and parameter RAM (PRAM) are small memory areas that your Mac uses to store specific settings that the operating system can access quickly. These settings include things like speaker volume, display resolution, startup disk selection, time zone, and recent kernel panic information. Sometimes, if you're experiencing problems like the inability to adjust volume, strange display resolutions, or other anomalies, you may need to reset NVRAM/PRAM. Resetting NVRAM/PRAM is a straightforward process, but it can greatly impact your system by resolving these strange problems.

Let’s look at a step-by-step guide on how you can reset the NVRAM/PRAM on your Mac, understand the situations where it might be necessary, and identify the possible consequences after the reset.

Understanding NVRAM and PRAM

Older Mac models primarily used PRAM, which stands for Parameter RAM. It used to store similar information such as speaker volume, screen resolution, and startup disk selection. However, since the early 2000s, Apple has transitioned to NVRAM with its newer hardware, essentially replacing PRAM. Although the technology behind them is slightly different, both store very similar data, and in practice for most users, these terms can be used interchangeably.

When should you reset NVRAM/PRAM?

You should consider resetting the NVRAM/PRAM if you’re experiencing any of the following issues:

• My Mac's speaker volume is consistently wrong.
• The display resolution or screen is not functioning as expected.
• The startup disk is not set correctly, or you are having difficulty selecting it.
• The time zone or clock settings are incorrect, especially after a restart.
• Persistent kernel panics that are not resolved by other troubleshooting steps.

Remember that resetting the NVRAM/PRAM won’t solve all Mac issues, but it’s a good initial step that can be easily done without causing any damage.

Steps to reset NVRAM/PRAM on your Mac

Follow these clear steps to reset NVRAM/PRAM on your macOS device:

1. First, shut down your Mac completely. Don't put it into sleep or power-saving mode. It's important to keep it off.
2. If your Mac has an Apple silicon chip, the process is simple. All you have to do is restart the Mac and the NVRAM will reset automatically as soon as it boots up. For Intel-based Macs, proceed to the next step.
3. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Option, Command, P, and R keys. It is recommended to use your left hand to hold Option and Command and your right hand to hold P and R
4. Hold these keys down for about 20 seconds. During this time, your Mac may restart.
5. After 20 seconds, release the keys and let the Mac start up normally.
6. Once your Mac restarts, you may need to reconfigure some settings, such as the date and time, display, and volume settings.

Note that these steps are specific to Intel-based Macs. As mentioned earlier, Apple Silicon Macs manage this automatically during restart.

Possible consequences and considerations

Although resetting the NVRAM/PRAM is generally safe and won't affect your data stored on your Mac, you may experience some necessary reconfiguration:

• Startup disk selection: If you are using multiple partitions or boot disks, you may need to re-select your preferred startup disk.
• Screen resolution: Your display may revert to a default lower resolution, which you can quickly adjust back to in Display settings.
• Sound volume: The volume settings may reset to default, requiring you to adjust them to your preference.
• Time zone information: This too may be reset to the default, which needs to be corrected for accurate scheduling.

These configurations can be easily adjusted by going into System Preferences and modifying the relevant settings.

Conclusion

Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM is a valuable skill in a Mac user's troubleshooting toolkit. If you're experiencing unusual behavior that doesn't seem to be tied to application issues or operating system bugs, a quick NVRAM/PRAM reset can often help resolve such bizarre problems. While this doesn't solve performance issues directly related to software or corrupted data, it's a simple fix for minor, persistent annoyances that sometimes occur.

Always keep your software updated, maintain regular backups and follow good system practices to avoid the need for such resets frequently. If problems persist beyond standard troubleshooting and NVRAM/PRAM resets, it may be wise to seek professional technical assistance.

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