Fix 'Bluetooth Not Available' error on Mac

Bluetooth is a technology that most people tend to forget until it doesn't work. For example, you may feel that everything is going smoothly until the AirPods headset is no longer connected. In most cases, how to fix this problem is relatively easy. But sometimes that can be a bit difficult.

One of the most annoying issues is when suddenly Bluetooth is no longer available on a Mac (or at least everything seems that way, but you're not really sure). Without a clear indication of what is causing the problem, fixing the Bluetooth problem on a Mac can be like groping in the dark.

Here's how you can fix Bluetooth related issues in macOS.

1. Bluetooth not available? Restart your Mac!

This is the troubleshooting step you always hear in any troubleshooting guide. Rebooting will usually solve a range of Bluetooth related issues on Mac.

Restarting your Mac in Apple menu> Restart will fix most Bluetooth problems, especially ones where the Bluetooth module is broken and the system is unresponsive. According to Apple, removing any USB device can help, so you should try it.

Before continuing, you should also review TipsMake.com 's introduction to using Bluetooth on macOS to make sure you understand how it works.

2. Check your Mac's Bluetooth device settings

To connect to a Mac, Bluetooth devices need to be turned on and charging. This may sound obvious, but it's worth checking before you try to fix a problem that doesn't really exist. If you've never paired this device before, make sure you did it properly.

If you are trying to make a Bluetooth speaker or other audio device work, have paired it and are wondering why no sound is heard, then you need to make sure that it is selected as the main output in the System. Preferences> Sound> Output .

The same thing happens with Bluetooth headsets that have a microphone: Go to the Input tab and select your Bluetooth device there. Your Mac will keep this option in mind for the next time you connect the wireless audio device.

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You can also click the Volume button in the menu bar and select your audio device there. If you don't see a button in the menu bar, you may need to activate it. Go to System Preferences> Sound> Output , then select Show volume in the menu bar at the bottom of the window.

3. Disable and re-enable Bluetooth

To reset Bluetooth without rebooting the entire Mac, go to System Preferences> Bluetooth and click Turn Off. You can also turn on Bluetooth by clicking the icon in the menu bar. Click Turn On to try again. If you have trouble using AirDrop on a Mac, turning on this setting can often resolve the issue.

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You can also try to completely kill the Bluetooth process, although this is not always effective. Open Terminal and enter sudo pkill blued followed by the admin password. This command will kill, restart the process in the background and allow you to try again.

4. Pair the Bluetooth device with the Mac again

If you've paired the device before, another option is to 'tell' to the Mac to forget the device and start over. You can see all currently paired Bluetooth devices in System Preferences> Bluetooth .

Find whatever is causing the problem, select it, then click the X , then select Remove to remove it.

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Now you need to pair the device again (in most cases it involves holding a button until the light is on). Check the device manual if you are not sure.

5. Reset PRAM and / or SMC

Although it's a more complicated process, resetting the PRAM or SMC of the Mac is one of the most common recommended fixes for the whole problem. The System Management Controller (SMC) is less likely to be the culprit than PRAM or NVRAM when it comes to Bluetooth. However, resetting both of them is fine, as a potential problem can also cause problems with Bluetooth on your Mac. People usually do both of these steps at the same time. Refer to the article: How to reset SMC on a Mac to know how to perform.

6. Delete some main PLIST files

macOS stores information about Bluetooth devices in two files on the hard drive: One for you and another for use by all users on your Mac. Deleting these files is usually recommended when you have Bluetooth problems, as it forces macOS to create new files when the computer restarts.

Both files are PLIST files, used throughout the operating system to store application data in XML format. To delete and recreate these files, do the following:

Step 1:

Close all applications or System options that are running on the Mac computer and are trying to establish a connection with Bluetooth.

Step 2:

In OS X Finder, press Command + Shift + G.

Step 3:

At this point, the Mac will launch "Go to Folder" and you need to enter / Library / Preferences / into that folder.

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Step 4:

Search and delete files with the extension "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist". In case there are other files with the same extension, you must also delete them.

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Step 5:

The process above is complete, you return to the desktop and click the Apple logo, select Shut Down.

Step 7:

Wait a moment and then restart your Mac and re-sync your Bluetooth device.

After following the steps above, your Mac will automatically generate a new .plist file for the Bluetooth configuration.

7. Reset the Bluetooth module on the Mac

As a last resort, try resetting the Bluetooth module to factory settings. This means you will lose all existing connections. If you're still having problems after trying all of the above, it's a small price to pay to get your device working again.

If you don't have a Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, go to System Preferences> Bluetooth and select Show Bluetooth in the menu bar. Now, hold Shift + Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. In the menu that appears, select Debug> Reset the Bluetooth module . You can now try to pair your device again.

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The final tip here is to start pairing devices again according to their importance. You will not want to pair the headset while the mouse and keyboard you depend on are still having problems. When the critical hardware is connected, you can focus on other issues.

Most problems will disappear after deleting the system files, resetting the PRAM and reverting the Bluetooth module on the Mac to factory settings. If you're still having trouble, it's likely that your Mac is experiencing hardware issues (although you can also try installing new macOS).

The best option is to buy a dedicated USB Bluetooth adapter and use it instead. Old Apple computers are more likely to have problems than new ones, so the repair price is usually not worth the price of a USB dongle. Hideez Key USB Smart Bluetooth 4.0 Dongle is not too expensive and can perform the task well.

If you've recently purchased a Mac and it's still under warranty or you've purchased Apple Care for it, you should schedule an appointment with a service center. The technician will review the problem and fix it for free. This could be a sign of a bigger hardware problem on the system, so it's a smart idea.

Hopefully these will fix Bluetooth connectivity issues on your Mac. Not only on Mac, even Windows computers still have Bluetooth related errors, you can refer to the article Fix Bluetooth not working on Windows 7 or Windows 8 or Fix lost Bluetooth errors on Windows 10 Settings settings for information How to fix if unfortunately encounter this problem offline.

I wish you successful implementation!

See more:

1. Instructions for connecting two monitors on MacBook
2. Instructions for changing application icons on Mac OS
3. Free apps to install when you first buy a Macbook