Bluetooth module intermittently drop connection to all connected bluetooth devices (Magic Mouse/Keyboard, Speakers, etc.)

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chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Bluetooth module intermittently drop connection to all connected bluetooth devices (Magic Mouse/Keyboard, Speakers, etc.)

Systems:

iMac 27" Late 2013

macOS Mojave Version 10.14.5

Symptoms:

Bluetooth module intermittently drop connection to all connected bluetooth devices (Magic Mouse/Keyboard, Speakers, Sony Headphones, etc.). It will drop for 1~3 seconds and will then auto-reconnect. This problem happened after updating to Mojave Version 10.14.5. This is not a bluetooth devices issues, because all connected devices got disconnected at the same time.

Tried the following Bluetooth "Debug" section - holding [Shift]+[Option]+click on Bluetooth:

(1) Reset "Reset Bluetooth Module"

(2) Factory reset all connected Apple devices"

(3) "Remove all devices"

Results: Does not help.

Tried resetting SMC, PRAM, NVRAM

Results: Does not help.

Tried deleting apple.Bluetooth.xxx files

Results: Does not help.

Tried unplug all other USB devices

Results: Does not help

iMac 27", macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 5, 2019 5:19 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 7, 2019 3:05 PM in response to chienlim

How I concluded that my issue is not a mouse or keyboard issue?

Use the "Console" app to track the system log, to launch the app, go to Spotlight and type "Console" <return>
In the "Console" app, you will see a batch of messages constantly appended
In the search bar of the "Console" app, type "bluetooth" <return> or right click on "bluetoothd" process and show only "bluetoothd" process only (bluetoothd = bluetooth daemon, software service for bluetooth)
You may hit [Clear] to clear all previous activities.
Now, when your mouse or keyboard get randomly disconnected, you will see why

In my case this is what I see (just some part of it all):


default	21:26:14.116907 -0700	UserEventAgent	[BTUserEventAgentController messageTracerEventDriven] StateApple80211 4 4
default	21:26:14.116930 -0700	UserEventAgent	[BTUserEventAgentController messageTracerEventDriven] FlagsApple80211 0x00000010 0x00000010
default	21:26:14.116953 -0700	UserEventAgent	[BTUserEventAgentController messageTracerEventDriven] ConnectedDevices 1 1
default	21:26:14.120180 -0700	UserEventAgent	[BTUserEventAgentController messageTracerEventDriven] ConnectedDeviceTypes 0x0000000B 0x0000000B
default	21:26:14.118207 -0700	bluetoothd	INIT -- Host controller terminated
default	21:26:14.118229 -0700	bluetoothd	Host controller terminated
default	21:26:14.118259 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerTerminated]
default	21:26:14.118278 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerNotReady]
default	21:26:14.120216 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerNotReady]
default	21:26:14.120699 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBPowerManager updatePowerState:] - New State:0

What I am seeing is that, for no reason, Bluetooth Host Controller gets terminated (refer to line @ 21:26:14.118207 -0700)

And after 2-3sec, it will recover and you will see mouse and keyboard connected messages.

I don't get these messages when using external Asus Bluetooth Dongle.

I will continue to use the external Bluetooth Dongle until Apple fixed the Bluetooth Controller software

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Answer 2

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 8, 2019 3:52 PM in response to chienlim

Quick update:

FYI, using an external Bluetooth dongle like the Asus branded still works with Continuity Camera on your Mac:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209037

All other features that rely on Bluetooth like Airdrop and Airplay. The only service not working is "Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac"

So far, it has been 24+ hrs using the external dongle, still have not had any drop. Makes me wonder if my internal Bluetooth module is broken?

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,196 points

Jun 7, 2019 11:41 AM in response to chienlim

Boot into Safe Mode and check the mouse and keyboard from there. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing some system cache cleaning, volume verifying and directory repairing.

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Answer 4

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 7, 2019 11:33 AM in response to chienlim

Quick update:

Instead of buying a new Magic Mouse US$79 and Magic Keyboard US$99. I bought a Bluetooth dongle from Asus US$14.99.

So far, it has been 30 mins, my bluetooth devices (Apple Magic Mouse and Keyboard - 1st gen) have yet to drop from connection. I will post results again tomorrow.

Downside to using external bluetooth dongle:

"Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac" does not work

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Answer 5

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 6, 2019 10:38 AM in response to tburzio

What's new in the updates for macOS Mojave Version 10.14.5: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209149

Note: Disables accessories with insecure Bluetooth connections.

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Answer 6

Jun 6, 2019 10:13 AM in response to chienlim

My Mac mini was a 2009 model. It died and I just bought a brand new 2019 Mac mini. My older wireless mouse/keyboard did exactly as what yours is doing with the brand new 2019 Mac mini...disconnecting for 1-3 seconds and then reconnecting....ALOT! When the I bought the new Mac at the Apple store, the Apple guy told me my old wireless keyboard and mouse would work with the new machine...no problem. He was wrong. It didn't. I had to buy a brand new Apple wireless keyboard and mouse (yesterday). Everything is working now perfectly. Hopefully, you can resolve your issue. Don't give up! Keep connecting to Apple Chat Support online, despite your disconnecting issues. Persevere on this and I promise you will get a resolve.

Set up a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple store. Take everything with you. Everything! Everything that is currently connected to your Mac. This is important. Here's the deal: My old wireless keyboard/mouse worked perfectly at the Apple store with my new Mac mini, but when I brought it home, it started disconnecting immediately when I set it back up again. I was so frustrated. For whatever reason, the old wireless components are hit or miss with the newer machines. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Tell the Apple guy what I told you and what I've gone though...a week of pure Apple "H-E-double hockey sticks", LOL.

Good luck and don't give up bugging Apple support until it's resolved. Be nice to them, and they will be extremely nice to you. Don't lose your cool. Use the Apple Chat Support. For whatever reason, my keyboard didn't disconnect while on support chat. Give it a shot....a hundred times if you have to. Apple won't give up on your problem, so don't give up on them.

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Answer 7

Jun 6, 2019 11:51 AM in response to tburzio

All I can say is if you have a new Mac, you better have the new Apple wireless keyboard and mouse or you are headed for problems. Yeah, it stinks, but that's the way it goes with technological progress - everything is changing constantly and it's a vicious cycle. It's been the way since Apple's inception. This is nothing new. Keeping up is a constant struggle and a wear on your wallet, but if you're going to stay with computers you need to get use to it. It will NEVER change and it's not Apple's fault...it's just evolution, and without it nothing would improve and advance, much to the average user's dismay.

chienlim, you mentioned a number of 3rd party peripherals connected to your computer. If these are disconnecting it's because they aren't agreeing wholeheartedly with Apple's new Bluetooth technology. You might have to replace at some point. Or get on Apple Support Chat and ask them for help getting them to work or maybe what devices they recommend (to replace what you have) that DEFINITELY will not have issues with your Mac. Hope this helps.

Don't give up. There is ALWAYS a solution...whatever direction it might go in.

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Answer 8

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 15, 2019 10:25 PM in response to chienlim

Update:

Asus bluetooth dongle does not solve my problem. It also disconnect randomly, however less often. And here is what happened:

default	04:10:35.283774 -0700	locationd	{"msg":"kCLConnectionMessageWatchdog", "event":"activity", "this":"0x7fc878f61fd0", "registrationRequired":0, "registrationReceived":1}
default	04:10:36.707045 -0700	kernel	[IOBluetoothHostController][ProcessEventDataWL] -- Bluetooth Firmware Error!! Not enough data to be a valid LE Advertising Report
default	04:10:40.996040 -0700	kernel	**** [IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport][terminateWL] -- entering -- mCurrentInternalPowerState = ON -- this = 0xc800 ****
default	04:10:40.996165 -0700	coreaudiod	hostController general interest notification e0020009
default	04:10:40.996251 -0700	coreaudiod	PowerState:1 bluetoothdXPCConnection:0x7fa48fc2b980
default	04:10:41.002662 -0700	bluetoothd	INIT -- Host controller terminated
default	04:10:41.002692 -0700	bluetoothd	Host controller terminated
default	04:10:41.002722 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerTerminated]
default	04:10:41.002742 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerNotReady]
default	04:10:41.002760 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBXPCManager hostControllerNotReady]
default	04:10:41.002788 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBPowerManager updatePowerState:] - New State:0
default	04:10:41.002813 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBPowerManager updateClient:] - Central (0) UserEventAgent:320
default	04:10:41.003055 -0700	bluetoothd	-[CBPowerManager updateClient:] - Central (0) wirelessproxd:350

OSX terminated the bluetooth host controller, because it could not determine that it supports LE - I think.

I have moved on, I purchased a set of Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse that works with Logitech Unifying USB controller (not bluetooth).

However, I am disappointed with Apple, cause they have the advantage of building their own hardware platform and better control over software/drivers for hardware peripheral, and yet this could happen.

I have now read so much about Mac bluetooth issues that I will be caution about getting my next iMac. Lucky for me that my Mac Mini and Macbook Pro does not have this problem.

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Answer 9

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 6, 2019 10:34 AM in response to CharlieBrown63

However, my problem is not just the magic mouse or magic keyboard. I also connect my bluetooth to Amazon Echo Speaker, Logitech mouse and Sony Bluetooth Headphone, they are got disconnected at the same time.

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Answer 10

Jun 6, 2019 12:00 PM in response to tburzio

It isn't disabled, but won't work reliably.

You need to elaborate and tell us what exactly it's doing if it's NOT disconnecting.

Apple's not "bad", they are just CONSTANTLY evolving to keep up with the needs of a changing world. We, as users, don't evolve as fast as Apple. It's not our job. We hold on to aging equipment (and software as well) hoping that things will keep working, but trust me, as someone who has been working on Apple computers since 1987, eventually, we all hit a wall where things stop functioning like they use to and it's time to update hardware (and software). It stinks, but it's a reality that must be faced. I've owned 6 Macs in my life and I am use to this now. It's nothing new. But yes, we're allowed to complain...not that it helps, LOL.

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Answer 11

tburzio

Level 1

13 points

Jun 6, 2019 12:36 PM in response to CharlieBrown63

Oh, Apple is bad all right, on this one. Sure, fiddle all you want with Bluetooth, BUT TELL US! I can get a new mouse, perhaps, assuming I can find a mouse with the correct markings that say "Smart", but THEY KNEW all along what they did.

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Answer 12

chienlim Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 6, 2019 2:00 PM in response to tburzio

If Mojave version 10.14.5 no longer support Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard (1st gen), Apple needs to make the announcement. Until I saw the announcement, I don't think the problem is a compatibility issues.

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Answer 13

Jun 6, 2019 7:14 PM in response to tburzio

If Apple is bad, then get rid of your Apple equipment and go with something that caters more to your liking. Apple is doing what they've always done...progressing...they've been doing this since their inception. They are now on their 15th major OS. Let me ask this, would you honestly expect an OS on a computer 15 years old to meet your needs? I don't think so....neither does Apple; that is why their equipment and software is constantly evolving. Evolve with the times. If you don't have the money to, then you you have every right to gripe, as we all do, but it will get you nowhere. There is no way that Apple can make the public aware of every single technicality that they have updated on their software and hardware. That's not possible. My experience is that the end user will always have to troubleshoot their computer issues. That is NOT Apple's responsibility. Do you realize how many hundreds of things they change when software and hardware gets updated. They'd have to write an entire novel to let folks know what changed, but that's never going to happen. Yes, it's very frustrating but it will make YOU that much more knowledgeable. I know I personally learned ALOT over this last week. Yes, it was pure h*ll to go through, really and truly, but I made it out the other end.

Go to the Apple store and buy a brand new mouse. Problem solved. No, there is no mention of the updated Bluetooth technology anywhere in its package, on anywhere on their site, but I guarantee it works with new Apple hardware.

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