Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

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

Feb 15, 2010 3:07 PM in response to achun

I want to thank all of the contributors to this thread for sharing your knowledge and experiences.
I too suffered from the intermittent loss of bluetooth and inability to sleep for over two years. I finally gained the courage to try the hard ware fix described in this thread .
It worked immediately .
I have been running the computer for over 3 months now without any issues arising .

In searching for the software fix, I monitored the temperature of the computer for many months. The loss of bluetooth and inability sleep was predictable whenever the temperature rose and stayed above 50*C. This happens when running multiple programs such as Word and Excel or running IPhoto or video clips or movies etc. The temperature often rose above 70*c and with movies will hit over 80*c.

When I followed the disassembly instructions in IFixit, I found ,as others have, that the cable running from the mother board to the blue tooth board was jammed very tightly between the aluminium frame and the metal shroud of the fan. It was quite difficult to dislodge.
The cable between the connector to the motherboard and the jamb point was stressed which placed a strain on the connector which could not be relieved because the cable was jammed .

I believe the cause of this issue is that when the computer rises in temperature the motherboard ( which is fixed to the plastic case) moves differentially to the aluminium frame, placing even greater stress on the connector , eventually resulting in loss of connection. When the computer cools connection is re established. By re routing the cable and allowing it to move freely, the connector remains in contact.
This has solved the problem .

Apple need to review the assembly process to ensure this does not happen in future production and it should alert all its service providers as to the problem and its solution.

I hope this experience will be helpful to others .

Apr 13, 2010 10:52 AM in response to Blues 430

Wanted to add an additional piece of information that may be helpful on this topic. Once I read Blues 430's post on the relatively high operating temperature inside the MacBook, I started searching the internet for a software app that would allow me to adjust the exhaust fan speed. While I'm plenty adept with my hands, I hate the idea of taking apart a MacBook Pro inside of the Apple warranty...

Found a useful tool at

http://www.conscius.de/~eidac/software/smcfancontrol2/index.html

I now run this app with a fan setting of 3400 rpm and the internal temperature of my MacBook Pro 2.25 GHz Core 2 Duo doesn't exceed 50 deg C. Of course, spinning the fan at twice its factory setting is going to hit the battery life, so I'll play with the fan setting to see how low I can go before getting close to 70 deg C.

For those of you not so inclined to pop the back off you MacBooks, this may be a useful alternative.

Also wanted to thank everyone who's posted on this topic for the last two years. Extremely helpful database of ideas and comments.

idou747

Level 1

29 points

Apr 16, 2010 8:44 PM in response to achun

On my MB Pro Unibody 17" I did a repair disk permissions followed by a boot while holding down the power button for 10 seconds, and that seemed to fix the problem.

Apr 17, 2010 12:37 PM in response to idou747

idou747, I've done the same thing repeatedly with success. But I've also found, now that I'm managing the temperature of the laptop motherboard below 70C using the fan speed application, that I no longer lose Bluetooth. Much, much easier that doing repair disk permissions and resetting the power management function.

LigGLe

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2010 9:35 AM in response to achun

Hello Everybody,

I had the same problem. Bluetooth was not available and my MacBook was waking up all the time.

The disassembling didnt work very well though:

- I rerouted the Wire, and after putting the CD-drive back in, i ripped off the antenna of the cable. So I had to solder it back on... i rerouted the antenna then. After that i only connected the tings I need (Harddrive, Tobcase, RAM and CD-drive) to test it. It worked... although i ripped off the Antenna and soldered it on again...
- When everything when all screws were back in again, it didnt work anymore. My Bluetooth was unavailable, but my Mac could at least sleep again...
- So I opened everything up again and re-rerouted the wire again and again until it worked...
- I think it may not be next to the speaker cable...

so my tip is, test it before you put the screws back in....

greetings, chris

Aug 1, 2010 3:36 AM in response to achun

I'm so glad I found this thread. I have been suffering this problem for a while. I even disassembled my MacBook a few weeks ago to look for any obvious damage or loose connections, but I hadn't considered re-routing the cable.

So I opened up my MacBook again, re-routed the Bluetooth cable.. and I'm pleased to say, no more Bluetooth problems. Now I can use my MightyMouse and Sony Ericsson Satio completely uninterrupted.

Superb.

ASnaps

Level 1

0 points

Sep 24, 2010 6:02 PM in response to achun

Hello,

After months of trying to find a solution to "Bluetooth hardware not found", I gave up and decided to let my bluetooth mouse and Apple bluetooth keyboard sit idly on my desk and collect layers of dust.

A while later, with renewed vigour, I found this post while searching Google.

I did as instructed and now I am happily using my bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

It's unfortunate that this problem was not picked up by Apple engineers and resolved before it became a problem for so many people. I hope they picked up on it and future generations of Apple laptops do not have it.

Thanks for this great post and your generosity in sharing it.

Milmite

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2010 3:34 PM in response to Perry5

Wow! my system just started getting this error message. I did not notice a problem with the sleep mode, but suddenly got a "bluetooth hardware not found". Did not want to take my system apart cause let me just be honest, was completely afraid to. So, I tried the turn the system off, unplug it, and take the battery out. **** I didn't even know how to get the back open to do that. Had to get my book out. So I held the little button down until the back popped out, pulled the tab and the battery was out. Let a few hours go by, and just a bit ago put the battery back in and the system back together, plugged it up and guess what? ..... No error! Bluetooth is back up and running! Of which I use for pictures all the time.
Thank you so much Perry5!

Oct 18, 2010 7:56 AM in response to achun

IMPORTANT: Do not disassemble your Macbook until you read this! You could be wasting your time and risking damage to your macbook.

I had this very same problem today on my aluminum Macbook circa 2008 vintage.

I read about the solution here that involves disassembling the Macbook.

I thought to myself: *what does that solution have in common with the other solution that's been posted here*, which is to just remove all power from the Macbook?

Well, they both have in common that all power is removed to the Macbook!

The Bluetooth subsystem is tied into the firmware and pram. Those can get out of whack.

So I decided to try the simple, easy solution first (and not because I'm afraid of taking mine apart - I've had it apart before).

I shut it down, removed power and battery, went away for ten minutes, came back, powered it up, and +bluetooth is working fine+. In fact I'm typing this message on my bluetooth keyboard.

There may be some instances where your bluetooth hardware has physical issues that can only be resolved via disassembly. But I would recommend that you save yourself a lot of time and energy by first making sure it isn't just a simple solution of removing power for a while. I don't think it will require all night - just 10 minutes worked for mine.

Only if that solution doesn't work does it seem worthwhile to start taking things apart.

Macbook Bluetooth Hardware Not Found Issue -- RESOLVED.