How to Reset PRAM on Your Mac

Resetting PRAM (or NVRAM) on a Mac is a common troubleshooting step that can help fix a wide range of issues, from booting problems to random glitches. PRAM stands for Parameter Random Access Memory, which is a type of memory used to store certain system settings, such as the startup disk, display resolution, and time zone. If these settings become corrupted, your Mac won’t be able to boot correctly or may experience other issues. Resetting PRAM can help fix these issues and get your Mac back to normal.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, you’ll need a few things:

- A Mac computer
- A USB keyboard
- A USB mouse

Step 1: Shut Down Your Computer

The first step is to shut down your Mac. You can do this by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner, then selecting “Shut Down”. Your Mac will shut down and the screen will go black.

Step 2: Hold Down Command, Option, P and R Keys

Once your Mac is shut down, you’ll need to press and hold down the Command, Option, P and R keys on your keyboard. Make sure you press them all at the same time and hold them down for at least 20 seconds.

Step 3: Release the Keys

After you’ve held down the keys for 20 seconds, you can release them. Your Mac will start up and you’ll hear a sound, which indicates that the PRAM has been reset.

Step 4: Restart Your Mac

Once your Mac has started up, you’ll need to restart it. You can do this by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner, then selecting “Restart”. Your Mac will shut down and start up again.

Step 5: Check That the PRAM Has Been Reset

Once your Mac has restarted, you can check that the PRAM has been reset. To do this, open the System Preferences app, then go to the “Startup Disk” tab. If the PRAM has been reset, the “Startup Disk” tab will be empty.

Conclusion

Resetting PRAM on a Mac is a simple process that can help fix a wide range of issues. All you need to do is shut down your Mac and press and hold down the Command, Option, P and R keys on your keyboard. After you’ve held down the keys for 20 seconds, you can release them and restart your Mac. Once your Mac has restarted, you can check that the PRAM has been reset by opening the System Preferences app and going to the “Startup Disk” tab. If the PRAM has been reset, the “Startup Disk” tab will be empty.