Having connectivity or charging issues using HyperDrive on your Mac? Read here.

Resetting your Mac System Management Controller (SMC) and/or the Mac PRAM/NVRAM can be a solution. This is sometimes necessary to restore normal lower level system functionality to your Mac, particularly for power and hardware related troubles.

For MacBooks with Apple M1 chip

These Macs do not have an SMC, but there is a way to do a reset similar to the SMC reset:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Disconnect the HyperDrive and any other devices connected to the MacBook.
3. Once the computer is completely shut down, close the lid of the MacBook.
4. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid press the power button to turn on your Mac. Reconnect the HyperDrive, as well as any other devices, at this point.

Once completed, skip to the PRAM/NVRAM reset

For all hardline Apple computers (iMac, Mac Mini, etc.)

To reset the SMC (or do a reset similar to the SMC on M1 Apple devices):

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Disconnect the HyperDrive and any other devices connected to the Mac.
3. Disconnect the cable, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect the cable.
4. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac. Reconnect the HyperDrive, as well as any other devices, at this point.

Once completed, skip to the PRAM/NVRAM reset

For MacBooks with Intel chips:

First, check to see if your MacBook has the T2 Security Chip (see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208862).

For devices that have the T2 security chip:

Before resetting the SMC, try these steps:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
3. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

If the issue persists, follow these steps to reset the SMC:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of the following keys. Your Mac might turn on.
   • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
   • Option (Alt)  on the left side of your keyboard
   • Shift  on the right side of your keyboard
3. Keep holding all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the power button as well. If your Mac is on, it will turn off as you hold the keys. Keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release them.
4. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

For devices that do not have the T2 security chip:

To do an SMC reset, do the following:

1. Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of these keys:
   
   • Shift  on the left side of your keyboard
   • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
   • Option (Alt)  on the left side of your keyboard
3. Release all keys.
4. Press the power button again to turn on your Mac. 

To reset the PRAM/NVRAM on your MacBook, please do the following:

Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.

• On Mac computers that play a startup sound, you can release the keys after the second startup sound.
• On Mac computers that have the Apple T2 Security Chip, you can release the keys after the Apple logo appears and disappears for the second time.