What is NVRAM, and how do I reset it on my Mac?

Non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) is a crucial component of any computer. How do you reset it on a Mac?

NVRAM helps secure data even when the power is off. It's used in all computer hardware to ensure settings remain the same between startups and shutdowns – which is why it's also widely used in Mac devices.

The non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) chip on the back of the Mac logic board.

It keeps track of the time, allows Mac users to retain settings, and ensures fast startup. It's also one of the components that contribute to your system's fast startup. However, there are several benefits to resetting the NVRAM, one of which is to speed up your computer.

So, how to reset NVRAM on a Mac? To understand this, we need to delve into the topic and learn what it's all about. We also need to figure out how it works on a Mac device. So, let's get started.

What is NVRAM?

Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) is a type of non-volatile memory that allows random access. It is widely used in various electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones. NVRAM differs from other types of RAM.

That is because they are non-volatile, meaning that they do not require power to maintain the data stored in them. They retain data even when the power is turned off, making them ideal for use in devices like laptops and smartphones.

That is, any device powered by a battery, or any device with a finite power supply. Unlike DRAM (dynamic random-access memory), which requires power to retain information, FRAM can hold on to its data even when the electricity is cut off.

Unlike RAM, NVRAM preserves its contents independent of whether it has power. Early NVRAM was called core memory, which stored information in small magnetic cores. But advances in semiconductor manufacturing in the 1970s led to the advent of solid-state memory chips.

These are the NVRAM and TLC types that we see in today's solid-state drives, such as M.2 NVMe or SATA III SSD drives. Some commercial alternatives to NVRAM include:

• Ferroelectric Random Access Memory, or FRAM
• Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory, or MRAM
• Phase-Change Random Access Memory, or PRAM

But NVRAM's real trick is its boot time: because it requires no additional power to retain information, it can lead to much faster start-ups.

This type of semiconductor non-volatile memory, however, is limited in terms of memory size and power consumption, so it needs to be cleared from time to time. This is one reason why many people reset the NVRAM on their Mac devices: it can cause glitches and performance issues.

How do I reset the NVRAM on my Mac?

Resetting the NVRAM can have several benefits, as mentioned above. It can improve your system's overall performance, especially when the cache is full. Thus, resetting the NVRAM/PRAM is not only safe but also crucial for your device's performance.

But before we teach you how to reset it on a Mac, let's go over why you'd want to.

• If your Mac won't start up
• If your device isn't detected
• Bluetooth or Wi-Fi issues
• Inaccurate time, unless you set it manually
• HDD or monitor failures

To get these benefits, you can reset the NVRAM on your Mac like this:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac

Step 2: Press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

Step 3: Press and hold X, Option, P, and R until your Mac restarts

Step 4: On older Macs, you'll hear the startup sound. On newer Macs, you'll see the Apple logo appear briefly and then disappear.

This will clear your NVRAM or PRAM, depending on the device. If that doesn't work for you, you can also do this through Terminal with the following command:

Step 1: Close all applications

Step 2: Open Terminal by going to Finder > Utilities.

Step 3: Type sudo nvram -c, then press the Return key.

Step 4: If prompted, enter your administrator password and press Return again.

Step 5: Restart your computer

Now, remember, the Mac's Terminal is similar to the Command Prompt on Windows. So, it gives you complete control over your device and computer. So, you should be comfortable using it before trying the second method.

However, once you do that, your NVRM cache will be cleared. Therefore, if you were having storage issues or anything related, that should be fixed now. Or, if you were having issues on boot, this command should fix that as well.

How do I display the current contents of NVRAM on a Mac?

Viewing the contents of NVRAM is especially simple on a Mac. If you're familiar with how a Mac works, then you probably know how it's done. However, for new users, this information can be hard to find. So, we'll explore a way to view all of your Mac's NVRAM contents.

However, you will need to be comfortable using the Terminal on a Mac to do this. Here's how:

1. Open the Terminal through Utilities.

2. Enter nvram -xp

3. Completed

Note the importance of appending “-xp” to the NVRAM command, as this ensures that the output is displayed in XML format. If you fail to include the correct flag and instead use the default “-P” flag, you might see garbled text:

As such, you must ensure that you use the correct command to retrieve readable data. You can then examine the contents of the NVRAM.

Bottom line

In this article, we define what NVRAM is and the benefits of resetting it. We also explore two methods to reset NVRAM and learn one way to view its contents. So, follow the steps mentioned in this article to resolve any NVRAM-related issues or simply to see what your Mac might be storing in its NVRAM.