Top 7 Ways to Fix Bluetooth Connection Issues on Mac

In today’s home age work, Bluetooth plays a vital role in getting things done from home. You need to connect accessories like keyboard, mouse, mic, and headphones for smooth workflow. In general, it is a reliable technology. At some point, however, it’s likely that you are having difficulty establishing a Bluetooth connection with one or more of your devices.

You can most easily solve the bluetooth connection issue by unpairing and setting up the device from scratch. If the Bluetooth device still works with Mac, read on to resolve the issue.

1. Restart your Mac

Let’s start with the basics. Many times the most basic steps like restarting your Mac can fix a Bluetooth connectivity issue.

You can restart your Mac from the Apple menu> Restart. It will fix almost any bluetooth issue, especially the one where the bluetooth module crashed.

You should also remove all USB devices from the Mac and try your luck with the Bluetooth connection.

2. Reconnect the Bluetooth device

If your device isn’t connected to your Mac, turn off your Bluetooth device, then turn it back on to see if it reconnects. This is also a good time to check the battery level of your device. If it doesn’t have enough power, put it on charge.

3. Restart Bluetooth on Mac

If your device does not reconnect, you can restart the Bluetooth radio on your Mac. To do this, click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock and head to System Preferences> Bluetooth.

Now click on Disable Bluetooth and then click on Enable Bluetooth.

You can also do this from the Bluetooth settings menu in the menu bar. Just click on the Bluetooth icon, click Turn off Bluetooth, and then click Turn on Bluetooth to restart it.

4. Delete PLIST files

macOS stores information about Bluetooth devices in two files on your hard drive: one that’s personal to you and one that’s used by everyone who uses your Mac. You can delete these files to fix Bluetooth issues on Mac. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Finder menu on the Mac.

2nd step: Go to the menu bar and open Go> Go to Folder.

Step 3: Type / Library / Preferences in the address bar.

Step 4: Find a file called “com.apple.Bluetooth.plist” and drag it to the trash.

Step 5: Click Go> Go to Folder again and type “~ / Library / Preferences / ByHost” in the address bar.

Step 6: Find a file that starts with com.apple.Bluetooth followed by numbers and letters (ending with .plist) and drag it to the Trash.

Step 7: Disconnect all USB devices and shut down your computer.

Now turn off your Bluetooth devices and restart your Mac.

5. Restart Mac in Safe Mode

Restarting your Mac in Safe Mode may resolve Bluetooth issues on the device. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Shut down your Mac.

2nd step: Turn on your Mac and immediately hold down the Shift key.

Step 3: Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.

Step 4: Your Mac is now in Safe Mode. Test your Bluetooth now. Does it work?

Step 5: In either case (running or not), restart your Mac normally. This will exit safe mode. This means restart your Mac but don’t press and hold any keys.

Step 6: When your Mac is on, test Bluetooth again.

6. Delete registered Bluetooth devices

If turning off and on your Mac doesn’t work, turn your Bluetooth devices off and on again.

There is another reason to delete devices: If you are signed in to too many devices, it can cause connection issues. While seven is the maximum number of Bluetooth devices, you may run into issues once you go over three or four, as some devices need more data than others.

Step 1: Open System Preferences> Bluetooth.

2nd step: Click the x button next to each device and clear the list of Bluetooth devices.

Step 3: Try to connect the bluetooth device again and see if it works or not.

7. Update macOS

I started noticing Bluetooth disconnection issues on my MacBook Air when I updated my device to the latest macOS Big Sur update. Apple is generally quick to fix these issues with future updates. If you are in the same boat as me, you must download the latest patch available in the System Preferences menu and install it on the device.

Connect the Bluetooth device to Mac

A piecemeal Bluetooth connection is a headache for any user. If you run into such obstacles, follow the above troubleshooting tips and fix Bluetooth issue on Mac. While you’re at it, let us know which tips have worked for you in the comments section below.