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Bunkface Author

Level 1

111 points

Bluetooth audio problems Catalina

I've updated to Catalina and I'm not experiencing a lot of problems, but one problem in particular and it annoys me a lot.

I'm always using Bluetooth headphones or speakers on my Mac to listen to music.

The problem is that the sound to my output device randomly drops to zero. First I thought it lost connection but when I go to Bluetooth Settings it's still there and connected. When I go to Audio settings the device is still there and selected. So I push the volume-up button and the output device instantly changes to internal speakers and the sound is being played through my speakers instead of my Bluetooth connected device. When I look at the Bluetooth Settings again, the headphones are still connected. So it looks like an audio-codec-driver-software-hardware(or whatever it is)-problem instead of an Bluetooth problem. My Bluetooth apple mouse stays connected and keeps working.

The problem, as described above, appears randomly. Sometimes 3 or 4 times spread over the day, sometimes 4 or 5 times within an hour, sometimes 2 times within a minute! Very annoying.

The quickest way to solve the problem ad hoc is to disconnect and connect the Bluetooth device again through the top at Bluetooth settings.

I'm using different devices and each of them have the same problem;

- Apple AirPods 2

- Steelseries Arctis Wireless Pro

- Jbl charge 3

I've already deleted the Bluetooth folder in Library and rebooted my Mac.

I've already forgot the devices and reconnected everything.

I've already turned off and on my Bluetooth on my Mac

I've already turned off my Bluetooth on my phone (thought maybe this caused the problems but.. unfortunately no..)

Is there anyone with the same problems or does anyone has any ideas to fix this extremely annoying problem?

It looks like this problem appeared eversince I've updated my device to Catalina.

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 27, 2019 11:16 PM

Similar questions

380 replies

psychdrk

Level 1

12 points

Dec 14, 2020 10:40 AM in response to vandevyver

This seems to seems to affect third-party bluetooth items (my AirPods Pro usually connect fine, but non-apple mouse and keyboard cannot stay connected). It is a widespread issue and Apple needs to issue a fix.

Jan 6, 2021 8:59 AM in response to Ray Turner

I had this problem. There seems to be a compatability issue between the Sony receiver and my Macbook Pro. I had to force use of the basic SBC codec by disabling AAC in the Bluetooth Explorer Audio Options. Follow the instructions here, except disable rather than enable the different codecs. https://www.howtogeek.com/425605/how-to-force-macos-to-use-the-aptx-or-aac-codecs-for-bluetooth-headphones/

You may have noticed, but not only do you ge the horrible harsh squelch noise but it also slows down the music and messes it up completely—most noticable when streaming from Spotify on my Macbook Pro.

Big Sur has not solved this issue.

Jan 7, 2021 2:13 PM in response to psychdrk

This affects all bluetooth headphones for me, including AirPods Pro. I was on the phone with Apple helpdesk for a total of 6 hours where they pulled 2GB worth of log files from my computer for the engineers to investigate, and they simply told me that after reading through everything, it's a known issue and there's nothing they can do. They hope an OS update in the future will help, but they have basically thrown up their hands for the thousands of us that can't use bluetooth headphones with our macOS devices.

Feb 3, 2021 6:02 AM in response to Bunkface

I have the same situation. iMac updated overnight, and all of a sudden, I can't use my headphones anymore. I have Bose headphones. It seems this issue appears with every update. I would think Apple would implement the fix with every update.

Feb 8, 2021 5:55 PM in response to Ray Turner

I am having the exact same problem. 2015 MacBook Pro lets out a big screech sound in my bookshelf speakers, it's done it about 20 times now and I've just stopped connecting it to the Sony STRDH190. I'm very worried that it has damaged my speakers and maybe even the receiver.

Bunkface Author

Level 1

111 points

Oct 27, 2019 11:39 PM in response to Bunkface

If you also experiencing this problem, pleas click the 'I have this problem too' get apple's attention (if it is an software issue)

Bunkface Author

Level 1

111 points

Oct 30, 2019 3:03 AM in response to Bunkface

After Updating to 10.15.1 the problem still occurs

anhans

Level 1

8 points

Feb 2, 2020 10:44 PM in response to Virtustilus

No, 4GB is ok. But without enough free hard disk space, this may cause several other problems, too.

Here are the requirements listed:

https://support.apple.com/en-asia/HT210222

Dec 13, 2019 2:00 PM in response to Bunkface

After Updating to 10.15.2 the problem still occurs, Having problems with both my bluetooth headphones

JBL Reflect Mini 2
Phillips SHB4000WT

neiokido

Level 1

4 points

Nov 20, 2020 10:33 PM in response to leonardooi

I saw this solution in another forum It was able to fix the problem with the following steps:

Open Terminal app
Type in: sudo rm -rf /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/HAL/
Restart your Mac

Jan 13, 2020 11:38 AM in response to Bunkface

Now things are getting interesting.!My mouse (logitech bluetooth) and my magic keyboard stopped working and the Bluetooth icon says: Bluetooth: not available.