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Macbook Bluetooth Hardware Not Found Issue -- RESOLVED.

This issue had been annoying me for full 12 months. I knew this issue long time ago but I was hoping a software patch could fix it so I didn't have to bring it for service.

The symptom was almost the same as everybody else: Randomly bluetooth hardware not found-- in both Mac Os and windows. No pattern of disappearing was observed. Just sudden appear or disappear.

Lately, I was too stupid to notice that the warranty was expired but this defect still had not been rectified. End up too sad and wanted to sell this piece of plastic. But was thinking, who's gonna buy a defective notebook no matter how new it is.

Then I ended up picking up a screwdrive and deassemble the unit myself as the warranty was expired anyway.

I followed a website which illstruated how to deassemble the unit STEP-BY-STEP until I could see the tiny bluetooth module. You would see the module is 'glued' on the bottom of the upper right of the plastic case with 2 3-4inches long wires which one of them connecting an antenna located on the DVD drive; and the other one linking to 4pins on the logic board (believed to be USB port).

The abovementioned 2nd cord connecting to the USB port traveled a LONG LONG way along with some power cable for CPU fan; data cord for DVD drive and harddrive; and somemore but I forgot which. Then I analyzed the symptom of sudden appear/disappear is due to two reaons: bad wire connection; or interference with other cable (as mentioned, it traveled a long way)

I carefully disconnected the cable and reconnected again and made sure it was tightly connected. Then I isolate the bluetooth port cable which were tied up together with other wires and reroute it in order to avoid interference w/ other cables.

Before I put all the screws back again, I turned on the computer and ran it for for 5 hours -- tried in windows and Mac OS with all applications and bluetooth file exchange/ data connection etc. Guess what -- Bluetooth worked flawlessly. Then I reassemble the whole unit again and the issue didn't happen.

My assumption was right that: most likely the senstive bluetooth device cable connecting the module and the logic board was interfered by other cables with huge current flow or electromagnetic; or simply the cable is not tightly plugged.

< Edited by Host, No personal information please. >

Macbook 1st Gen 2.0ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 2gig Ram Dual Channel. Otherwise original

Posted on Oct 9, 2007 11:39 PM

69 replies

Nov 5, 2007 1:51 AM in response to marceloprimo

I disassembled my MBP when I changed my hard drive for a bigger before installing Leopard. I checked the Bluetooth module, and, after, for few days it worked ok, but know, it still disappearing again and again. The only way I found for solve this, is to lean the laptop on a side, and give it a gentle punch :P on the back, often the Bluetooth come back for little time.

I think there can be a problem with the way the module is sticked to the side of the hard drive. Not sure.

Nov 9, 2007 6:01 AM in response to marceloprimo

Took my macbook to the mac representative, they dissasembled it, cleaned all the BT contacts and checked for the wires.
Worked fine for a few hours, then the problem was up again, but only for few seconds.
Now BT is working OK most of the time, just returning to this problem on short time periods, not like it used too.
Nevertheless, I called mac again and they immediately asked for a complete replacement of the BT module and all the cables, that should arrive in 15 days, all covered by the one year warranty.
EXCELENT SERVICE HERE!

Ton Voon

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2007 4:39 PM in response to achun

Just wanted to say that I've been having this problem on my 2006 Macbook where Bluetooth stops working after about 30 mins from a cold boot. I didn't link it with the sleeping issue I had, but it is obvious now since system.log said a USB event cause it to wake.

I took apart my Macbook and I disconnected the cable to the bluetooth antenna and reconnected that. I also disconnected and reconnected the USB cable attaching the bluetooth module to the motherboard.

Something else I noticed about this cable was that it was wedged between the fan and the optical drive separator. It was quite difficult to pull this cable out. My theory is that this cable was probably getting squeezed when the system got hot.

I took this cable out, moved the audio one to the bottom (since it was much thinner) and moved cables round so there was less twisting. Two days in, bluetooth has not failed once and the macbook can take a sleep on demand!

Thanks very much for this tip. Be warned, it is not for the faint-hearted (pulling the display adaptor out of its socket is the scariest thing).

Nov 23, 2007 5:13 PM in response to marceloprimo

After 15 days I can tell you BT worked fine most of the time, with a few disconections lasting not more than 30 mins.
This proves that the cleaning and checking of all the cables improved the situation susbstantialy, but since I am still under warranty, new parts were ordered and were finaly replaced today.

Its been working fine for the last 5 hours!
Will let you know in a few days...

squanman

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2007 6:11 PM in response to achun

Just wanted to say that I also took apart my macbook in order to reroute the various cables and it worked!

I put the black and metal one on the bottom, the other one in between and the bluetooth-cable on top, so in the ind there's only one other cable touching it. I'm glad I did it cause my waranty was expired to and I couldn't afford the repair.

It was fairly easy to do, the only thing I had trouble with is that the screws were pretty hard to get out, but nothing that a little persistency couldn't solve.

Sidhu-NZ

Level 1

0 points

Dec 13, 2007 5:31 AM in response to achun

Hi
Well I am facing the same bluetooth : Not available issue as well
Its a white macbook late 2006 one.
Initially also around feb 2007 i first had issues with the battery which was replaced by apple
Then the macbook case started cracking up at the corners which was again replaced by apple in NZ
Now the case has started cracking along the corners again and the bluetooth doesnt work at all also the battery shows some stupid times and is not consistent.
I need help and I feel like Ive made the wrong choice buying an apple product
The notebook has spent more time with the apple authorised service agent than with me from the time I have bought it
Also Ive hardly used it like a couple of times a week that too only for emails.
My warranty expires on the 21st
I need help
Any useful suggestions will be appreciated .
Thanks

jollym

Level 1

4 points

Dec 25, 2007 12:04 AM in response to Sidhu-NZ

I would ring applecare and make a complaint. I'd tell them your full story in detail including how much of a pain it has been for you not having a working computer. After a number calls and replacement parts they offered me a brand new model.

Jan 3, 2008 2:43 AM in response to achun

Thanks for posting this.

I followed the ifixit website to remove the optical drive, and separated the wire that goes from the bluetooth module into the BT socket on the board. Reseated everything, put it all back together and PRESTO - bluetooth now working on my 2006 Macbook 13" for the first time in about a year. Currently been running for about 20hours now, and previously I was lucky if I got 10 minutes of bluetooth connectivity a week!

It wasn't too difficult to do, though I had to drill out one of the three screws in the battery compartment (the centre one between the memory slots) since it wasn't in straight. That was the only flakey time. The rest of the procedure is pretty straight-forward (just remember to keep a note of exactly where each of the screws you take out are from - there's about 20!)

Poor show for Apple not recognising this problem, but I guess they fixed it in later models.

Ton Voon

Level 1

0 points

Jan 8, 2008 12:43 PM in response to Ton Voon

An update to my re-wiring:

I have had bluetooth unavailable but only on two occurrances - once with no power and under heavy use (Photo Booth), and once when I returned from a train journey where I switched bluetooth off (it was unavailable as soon as I re-enabled bluetooth again when I got back to the office).

So the fact the problem reoccurred means the re-wiring is not a complete fix, but has helped the situation enormously.

Jan 21, 2008 8:46 AM in response to achun

Another user with this problem had successfully resolved the issue by unplugging his MacBook, removing the battery, and letting it sit (i.e. completely cool off) for several hours. I've been having bluetooth connection and sleep issues for 3 months and have taken my Mac to the Apple Genius Bar and have spent 2 hours on the phone with Apple. Nothing worked, but for some very strange reason unplugging and removing the battery overnight did. No bluetooth problems now, and the computer sleeps just fine. It's worth a shot.
Just as a note, my bluetooth/sleep issues began a day after installing Leopard.

bjerke89

Level 1

0 points

Feb 16, 2008 2:10 PM in response to achun

Thanks for this guide, amazing.... I had the same problem with my bluetooth, so i just dismounted my macbook, and worked my way into the bluetooth card, I just had to tighten the cable a little, and my bluetooth has been working for a week and a half now!!!
Thanks so much, i love my bluetooth, now i can use my beautiful keyboard and mouse.
To all others with this problem, check out achun's guide, it works!!!!!

solarboy

Level 1

0 points

Apr 11, 2008 1:39 PM in response to achun

I’ve got my first brand new Macbook this week and have loaded XP in Bootcamp and the issues are here for me also so I suspect hardware. I get an error in my Event viewer saying

“BTUSBhub The local Bluetooth radio has failed and will be unloaded”

It disapears from my device manager and after this the machine hangs on shutdown requiring me to hold down the power button to get it to shutdown. When it reboots up an aytmatic Windows disk scan starts and picks up lots of errors on my Windows partition. These problems generally start after the machine has been in standby so I feel the on board bluetooth adaptor doesn’t reliably wake up from standby.If I boot into OSX rather than back into Windows the Bluetooth is unavaliable there either. I’ve re-installed my Bootcamp drivers just 5 minutes ago so I’m going to hope this will resolve the problem. If it doesn’t I’m going to return it and get a PC instead.

Apr 11, 2008 10:35 PM in response to achun

yes, yes, it works.
thanks, I've been working on this problem so long.

today, I just made up my mind to try to disassemble my macbook.

Finally, it gave me a surprise.

Apr 11, 2008 10:38 PM in response to achun

pls: I forgot one screw when I assembled up my macbook again.
and I don't want to disassemble again. it is really exhausting.
lol, but it still work well.

tzero

Level 1

15 points

May 12, 2008 9:23 AM in response to Shallow Sea

My (simpler) solution: Go into Disk Utility and click on "Repair Disk Permissions." Works so far ...

Macbook Bluetooth Hardware Not Found Issue -- RESOLVED.