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Level 1

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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

Oct 10, 2008 7:41 AM in response to achun

After 2 logic board replacements, the problem was still on. I decided to follow the bluetooth cable reroute tip and... surprise!! It works for me!!! After a week my bluetooth works fine. Thank you all.

burgoa

Level 1

0 points

Oct 18, 2008 12:55 AM in response to achun

Does anybody know what is the procedure for a Mac-Mini, i have the exact same problem but i don;t have the Macbook.

Thanks

mafigi

Level 1

0 points

Oct 18, 2008 7:29 AM in response to Midiglorian

Hi, does anybody know what is the procedure for a MBP, i have the exact same problem but i have a MacBook Pro C2D (Early 2008), I live in Italy and the MBP is still under warranty .

Thanks

mauro

Oct 23, 2008 3:29 PM in response to burgoa

I found a fix!! (working great so far) i have not seen this anywhere so i figured i would post it.

step 1: shut down computer
step 2: press and hold down power power button until computer turns on. dont just press to turn on. but press and hold until you hear a loud beep.

step 3: enjoy your new found bluetooth.
step 4: ??
step 5: profit 🙂

mjsickel

Level 1

5 points

Nov 29, 2008 8:33 AM in response to achun

My wife's MacBook (core duo 1.83GHz) was waking itself up several times an hour, checking the system.log in the console showed that a "USB event caused system wake", and the bluetooth was spotty: sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Since the bluetooth module is attached to the USB bus, I figured this was the cause of the wake events, and yesterday evening I finally looked up how to fid the bluetooth module and found this thread.
I followed the directions over at iFixit.com and removed the bluetooth module and plugged it back in, routing the wires on the outside to minimize interference, etc. Put it all back together and started it back up. Now the bluetooth doesn't work at all, which is fine since she never used it, but it hasn't woken up by itself since. I imagine that if she did use the bluetooth, I could grab a new one from iFixit for 20 bucks. Maybe I just killed off the bluetooth that was on its final legs.
Here's the URL for the directions to get to the bluetooth module: (I used an old egg carton to hold the screws as they came out, each numbered with the step where they were removed)
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-Duo/Bluetooth-Board/86/22/Page-1

Jan 13, 2009 1:44 PM in response to edgarwong

Worked for me, thanks!

Mar 25, 2009 11:25 AM in response to achun

Just made the surgery on mine (intel MacBook) using the perfect photo tutorial.
Radicaly, I put the BT cable UNDER the optical drive. (it "jumps" over the aluminium "fence" just at the right of the BT connector of the mother board).
It seems to work fine since....
Cross fingers !

Apr 11, 2009 1:49 PM in response to achun

I followed the directions from ifixit.com, and going by what was posted above, I was able to completely fix bluetooth and the sleep issue on my MacBook. It took some courage, but I can now use my mightymouse and put my computer to sleep for the first time in over a year! It has been working for two weeks with no problems.

All I did was move the bluetooth wire as far as I could from the others. Thanks to the person who solved this.

Jun 24, 2009 9:01 AM in response to manofsteele54

I have not tried any of the procedures and my bluetooth issue became more tolerable over the past several months - only going out a few times a day. Now it is back with a vengeance! I am down to buying a new mouse or braving the ifixit method. I really can afford to buy a new corded mouse. It is a shame Apple has never commented on this. This rev1 Macbook has been a real piece of junk with the case cracking issues and this bluetooth problem.

whymi

Level 1

0 points

Sep 3, 2009 3:11 PM in response to achun

I've had the Bluetooth Unavailable issue for 2 years. Went to the Apple Store under warranty and had the module and antenna replaced, only for the problem to return. The software remedies may seem logical, but they never worked for longer than a day or 2 at best.

So I took the plunge, printed the ifixit guide, grabbed my set of computer tools and had at it.

An hour later, my Bluetooth cable neatly tucked under the optical drive away from the other cables, everything is working just fine.

Obviously, I'll be keeping an eye on it to see if it's a permanent solution. At least I now feel comfortable taking apart my MacBook. I can always remove the module altogether if it doesn't last.

For those of you who are frustrated and have tried all the software reset ideas, I recommend you give the manual cable relocation method a go. It's not as scary or difficult as you think. And when you reboot to see the bluetooth icon in your status bar, you'll have a sense of accomplishment to go along with it.

Peace.

Oct 8, 2009 5:53 PM in response to achun

This fix has worked, in getting the bluetooth to work on my son's macbook and for it to sleep properly again.

What I did was clean the bluetooth cable to motherboard connector with some CRC CO Contact Cleaner. I also re-routed the bluetooth cable as described in the original post, so that it wasn't buried under the others. This may reduce overheating or electomagnetic interference problems.

I would encourage others to give this a try. You'll need a Philips 00 screwdriver and a large flat fridge magnet to keep the screws in order as you take them out. Stand the screws on the magnet in groups, shaped to remind you how they go back in.

jlophoto

Level 1

5 points

Oct 8, 2009 8:37 PM in response to achun

I will confirm that my wife's mid-2007 MacBook had the fully documented and painfully described disappearing bluetooth woes. I took the MacBook apart and rerouted the bluetooth cable and she's been no bluetooth problems since.

I am a hero!

Thanks!

-- Jeff

Nov 12, 2009 6:18 AM in response to achun

I have two MacBooks. One Pro 13'' 2.53. It handled the 10.6.2 update just fine and everything was working after the update.

However my white 13'' (early 2007) would't let me use bluetooth and couldn't sleep (the superdrive was also acting up during sleep) after it was updated to 10.6.2.

I followed the guide at iFixit and it worked! Everything is back to normal. I am not sure this is entirely hardware/heat related. Since the bluetooth and sleep was working before the update it leads me to think that it is not entirely hardware related.

My idea is that when doing an update (not only 10.6.x to 10.6.2) that the bluetooth firmware is updated in some way. However some error in the process cripples the usb driver/firmware (since USB is the base problem). It is also possible that the bluetooth firmware is in some way crippled.

However by following the guide at iFixit you in most likely disconnect the bluetooth chip and since the macbook doesn't get power for approximately an hour all internal power is drained. The "problematic hardware" is then reset and then works after booting up the system.

These are just thoughts so they are most likely wrong but I thought I would share them with you.

/Serenity

nasa2500

Level 1

5 points

Nov 15, 2009 9:40 AM in response to achun

I must say Sir that this weekend you are my hero. I rerouted the bluetooth wire yesterday (made sure that it was all alone underneath the optical drive) and ran my macbook all day yesterday making sure to play music, surf web, etc to allow it to get to a temp which the "bluetooth not available" problem would typically occur. I can report that my bluetooth (and sleep function) have been spot on since the fix.

Apple must have wasted countless hundreds of thousands of dollars replacing logic boards for macbooks that were perfectly fine except for a tangled (or worst case failed) bluetooth cable.

dwood11

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2009 8:34 PM in response to nasa2500

Well it looks like we have another one. It works, after all this time and, and the nerds at the apple store not being able to find the problem, this really works. I actually took some tin foil and separated the wire from all the others where they come back together behind the optical drive. Its been many hours since and I have purposely tried to heat my macbook up as much as possible and so far so good. Is apple really this out of it? Thank the lord for the internet and people who are willing to share their wonderful ideas with the world. I love my mac and I hate my mac. Now I just hate it a little less. Thanks again, this really works people.

Macbook Bluetooth Hardware Not Found Issue -- RESOLVED.