Written by
Jenny ZengSummary: Is the Bluetooth not working on your Mac? Learn 12 ways to fix Bluetooth issues on Mac, applying to all Mac models, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, etc. Download iBoysoft DiskGeeker to optimize your Mac and ensure Bluetooth can run.
Bluetooth is an essential part of our life. We rely on it to connect our Mac to wireless devices, such as keyboards, headphones, mice, printers, speakers, etc. It's wonderful not having to use cables.
While setting up a Bluetooth connection is easy, sometimes things may not go smoothly. You may encounter Bluetooth issues on Mac during setup or after a connection is built. In fact, many users have reported experiencing Bluetooth problems after the Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, or Monterey update. The Reddit post below is one of them.
Here are the common Bluetooth problems on Mac and their solutions:
Bluetooth issues on Mac | How to Fix |
Bluetooth won't turn on Mac | Reset the SMC |
Mac not finding Bluetooth devices | Remove the Bluetooth .plist files |
Unable to pair Bluetooth devices with Mac | 1. Check compatibility 2. Turn off and on Bluetooth 3. Reboot your Mac |
Bluetooth keeps disconnecting on Mac | 1. Turn off AirPlay Receiver 2. Optimize Mac 3. Reset Bluetooth modules on Mac |
Bluetooth keeps turning itself off on macOS Sonoma | 1. Reduce the number of connected wireless devices 2. Use with a cable |
Bluetooth devices laggy on macOS Sequoia | 1. Turn off and on Bluetooth 2. Forget and re-pair Bluetooth device 3. Update macOS |
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Why is my Bluetooth not working on my Mac?
There are several reasons why your Bluetooth may not work on Mac. The most likely ones are:
- The Bluetooth plist file is corrupted.
- Too many Bluetooth devices are connected at the same time.
- The system is cluttered with unnecessary files and is not optimized.
- Software bugs on the current system.
- Bluetooth device not supported by macOS.
- The Bluetooth module needs to be reset.
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How to fix Bluetooth issues on Mac?
Bluetooth issues on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or other Mac models usually result from software issues you can troubleshoot yourself instead of asking for professional help. Take the fixes below to fix Bluetooth not working on Mac.
Make sure that the Bluetooth device is properly connected with the following requirements checked.
- Prerequisites for Bluetooth to work on Mac:
- ✅ Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and the device is within 30ft of your Mac, without interference from household gadgets and metal stuff, such as microwaves, or baby monitors.
- ✅ Ensure the device has enough battery.
- ✅ Ensure your device is turned on and discoverable. If it's a new device, check the manual for instructions. Remember that devices like AirPods require you to press a setup button to pair with a Mac.
Fix 1: Ensure your Bluetooth device is compatible with the current macOS
If your Bluetooth stopped working on Mac after a recent update, the current system may no longer support the wireless device. For instance, macOS Monterey includes a Bluetooth security update, requiring wireless devices to support Bluetooth 4.1. If you started to have Bluetooth issues after installing macOS Monterey, it's likely your Bluetooth headphones aren't compatible with it.
We suggest you check if the issue occurs with other devices. If it doesn't, you can confirm it's a device issue. If it does, keep testing other solutions below.
Fix 2: Turn off and on Bluetooth
Sometimes, turning off Bluetooth and then turning it back on is all needed to fix macOS Bluetooth not working. Simply toggle the Bluetooth icon in the top-right menu bar or the Control Center off and on.
Fix 3: Restart your Mac
Apart from restarting Bluetooth, rebooting your computer is also a common practice to try when the Bluetooth won't turn on on Mac. Many minor glitches or performance issues can be resolved with a reboot since it refreshes the system. To do this, go to the Apple menu and choose Restart.
Fix 4: Optimize your Mac and remove junk files
A Mac gets cluttered with unnecessary files and system junk over time. Such a bloated system will not only affect the Mac's performance but also cause Bluetooth issues. If your MacBook Pro won't recognize Bluetooth earbuds, it's a good idea to run a thorough scan on your internal hard drive and optimize the storage space with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac.
It's a powerful and intuitive disk cleaner that can analyze disk space, list files in descending order by size, and discover junk files (log files, app caches, preference files, unemptied Trash, and other temporary files), allowing you to quickly delete unwanted files and optimize your Mac.
Fix 5: Turn off AirPlay Receiver
If AirPlay Receiver is turned on on your Mac, it's helpful to disable it. Some users have found that turning off AirPlay Receiver resolved the issue that Mac Sonoma Bluetooth keeps disconnecting. Here's how:
- Open System Preferences/Settings.
- In the search bar, type "airplay receiver."
- Select the right option.
- Disable "AirPlay Receiver."
Fix 6: Reduce the number of connected Bluetooth devices
If the Bluetooth keeps disconnecting or keeps turning off randomly on Mac, check how many Bluetooth devices are connected to your Mac. If there are more than two wireless devices, consider disconnecting those you no longer need or using some of them with a cable.
Fix 7: Unplug all devices and replug
Suppose reducing the number of Bluetooth devices on your Mac doesn't do the trick; then try disconnecting all the USB and Bluetooth objects, restarting the Mac, and then connecting them again. It's worth mentioning that you should safely eject the USB storage devices before unplugging them.
Fix 8: Forget Bluetooth devices and re-pair
Bluetooth devices need to be paired before they can recognize and connect to each other. When experiencing Mac OS X Bluetooth not working, you can forget the Bluetooth device and repair it.
Fix macOS Sequoia/Sonoma/Ventura issues:
- Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
- Click the info button ℹ️ next to your device.
- Choose "Forget This Device."
- Confirm the action.
- Pair the device with your Mac again.
Fix macOS Monterey Bluetooth issues and earlier:
- Open System Preferences > Bluetooth.
- Select the Bluetooth device you want to remove.
- Click the x icon and confirm that you want to remove it.
- Pair with the device again.
Fix 9: Remove the Bluetooth .plist files
If your Mac can't find Bluetooth devices or is stuck at the phase of searching for devices, delete the Bluetooth property list file. It stores user preferences and settings for Bluetooth devices. Deleting it resets these settings to the default, overcoming corruption in the file.
- Open Finder, click Go > Go to Folder from the menu bar.
- Search for /Library/Preferences and hit Enter.
- Locate the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file and delete it.
- Go back to the search bar.
- Type in ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost and hit Enter.
- Remove the com.apple.Bluetooth.xxx.plist file.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it back on after a few minutes. After your Mac reboots, the system will create a new .plist file.
Fix 10: Update macOS to the latest
If your MacBook Bluetooth is still not working, update your Mac to the latest version. Especially, if the Bluetooth issue appears after a macOS upgrade, installing minor updates may help eliminate it, as they often address bugs on the previous version.
Fix 11: Reset Bluetooth module on Mac
Resetting the Bluetooth module on a Mac can also resolve connectivity issues and improve Bluetooth performance. This will debug Bluetooth on Mac more thoroughly. Here's how to reset Bluetooth module on Mac:
Fix Bluetooth issues on macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey:
- Launch Terminal.
- Run the command below.sudo pkill bluetoothd
- Enter your administrator password if asked.
Fix Bluetooth issues on macOS Big Sur and earlier:
- Hold the Option + Shift keys, then click the Bluetooth icon in the top right menu bar.
- Select "Reset the Bluetooth module."
- Click OK on the prompt.
You'll notice your Bluetooth device being disconnected while the module is reset. It will automatically reconnect soon.
Fix 12: Reset the SMC
Some users were able to resolve their M1 Mac Bluetooth issues by resetting the SMC (System Management Controller), which is responsible for managing various low-level functions on Intel-based Mac. If you haven't tried it, give it a go.
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