Bluetooth disconnecting headphones, soundbox, etc...Catalina bug?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Bluetooth disconnecting headphones, soundbox, etc...Catalina bug?

Hello

Please, let me know if someone can help me with this issue. Since I updated to Catalina (now version I have is 10.15.3 - Macbook Pro Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) my bluetooth devices works for a while and then are disconnected, this happen with headphones, soundbox, etc...

I have tried a lot of things from others forums, as reset NVRAM/PRAM, removed all bluetooth devices from paired lists in Catalina (also in the devices), removed com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file from /Library/Preferences, removed com.apple.Bluetooth.xxxxxxxxxx (xxxxx=random letters or numbers) from ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost and nothing...nothing works.

I believe this is a bug in Catalina because before with Mojave the same devices worked fine!

Let me know if someone have a solution or to confirm if this is a bug and we need to wait a fix from Apple.

Many thanks

André

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 2, 2020 4:05 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 3, 2020 6:34 PM in response to andrecas

Hey andrecas,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I see from your post that you're having trouble with Bluetooth on your MacBook Pro. You've done great steps so far and I'd love to help out.

To continue, I'd like for you to test in a new user:

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support

Let us know if the issues resolve in the new user.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

andrecas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2020 12:41 PM in response to jeremy_v

Hi Jeremy

I tried this one https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203538 reseting to default permissions from my Home.

Now I am remembering, in one of the updates of Catalina I lost permissions for my files. I found somethings to fix this, different of that in the link above. But, for sure this issue started to happen after of one these Catalina updates.

Let's see, I've started again the test, hopefully will fix the issue.

Thanks

André

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Answer 3

andrecas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2020 3:20 AM in response to andrecas

Hello

Well, after tested by 6 hours with the new user successfully, I tested with my first (original) user, it was running by 4 hours and no problems. I thought problem was solved so, I deleted the other user account for the first test and after by 3-5 minutes of that, device was disconnected :(

Then I created again a new user to run again the test and got the same problem. I believe those hours running without problems was some coincidence, unfortunately.

Based on that I can conclude that the problem happens with different users accounts and in different tools, I have tested with Apple Music, Youtube (in different browsers) and also using different devices (soundbox, hearphones...)

I don't believe this is a hardware issue as the unique thing that keep working is the Apple Mouse so, bluetooth is working, it is something in Catalina. These same devices worked fine in Mojave.

Any other recommendation?

Many thanks

Andre

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Answer 4

andrecas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 6, 2020 8:38 AM in response to andrecas

Hello

Well, yesterday I reinstall completely my Macbook, formatted all. Installed a new fresh Catalina and issue keeps happening, only Apple mouse works, all others devices are disconnected independently if using Apple Music, Youtube, etc...

So, for me it is a Catalina bug

Hey Apple, is anybody there to comment when this will be fixed?

Thanks

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Answer 5

andrecas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2020 3:42 AM in response to MichelleT18

Hello Michelle

Thanks for your reply. Ok, just created a new user and right now I am testing, let's see.

In order to advance, let's suppose this works, how to restore or fix my other user?

Thanks

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Answer 6

andrecas Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2020 10:19 AM in response to MichelleT18

Ok ok :)

Running by 6 hours, it looks like the issue does not happens with this new user account

Well, do you know how to fix this in my original user account?

Thanks

Andre

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Answer 7

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Mar 4, 2020 11:38 AM in response to andrecas

Hey andrecas,

Thanks for testing in a new user for us.

From that same article sent to you above:

"If the issue doesn't happen in the other account

If the issue doesn't happen in the new user account, the issue is related to the settings or files in your own account.

If you need help with a specific alert or issue, search the Apple Support website for the text of the alert. If the issue happens in only one app in your account, it might be related to one of that app's settings. Check the app's documentation or support website for help.

You can remove the new user account when you're done testing. Follow the steps for creating a new account, but click the Remove button (–) instead of the Add button (+). Before removing the account, make sure that you don't need any of the files or settings you created or copied in that account.

If you need more help with a software or hardware issue, contact Apple Support. Be sure to mention any steps you've taken, and the results of those steps. Also mention any alerts or other messages you've seen as part of the issue. You can take a screenshot of the message, so that you can refer to it later."

Cheers!

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