Big Sur Bluetooth issue

Thank you for this note ;)

My solution was:

1. Open Terminal
2. Execute sudo rm -rf /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/HAL/ and insert your login password
3. Restart

I have a similar problem with BT after upgrading to the Big Sur with Google Home speaker. BT connection stability problem results in the speaker sound to crackle/stutter. To workaround, I click on the bluetooth icon and select "Bluetooth Preferences". Once that window opens, I keep it minimize (not closed). This seems to keep the BT module constantly on searching for new devices and thus I suspect Big Sur BT driver is probably doing some kind of power down/save a bit too frequently or something. My Mac is usually plugged in. I don't know if there is any long term issue (or battery impact) with this temporary workaround.

What's weird for me is that my MacBook (which is also running Big Sur) has no problem with my bluetooth headphones, but my iMac is having the same problems that Michael outlined above. Super frustrating.

Update: I 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 iMac

Hopefully this works for you. It was a huge relief for me.

Welcome, ARJEBE, to Apple Support Communities!

Unfortunately, on Macs, about the only thing third-party “AntiVirus”, “Cleaning”, “Security”, etc., do is, at best, nothing; at worst, harm to your Mac. Usually, such decrease your computer’s responsiveness, and get in the way of normal functioning.

The macOS already has the best AntiVirus and Security your Mac needs, so long as you keep it up-to-date.

Thank you oh so much. how did you solve this?

Someone else had posted it in a different thread, so when it worked for me, I was eager to spread the news. Glad it worked!

Vincent!! you are awesome, THANK YOU!!

Thanks.

I didn't have this folder, so I created it and it solved it (after restart).

idk what magical power this released but it worked tysm!

I’m very glad to hear that Vincent Bove’s solutions worked for you, Chrisgigi.

I am having a similar issue. I have a Macbook Pro 13" 2018 and I just recently updated to Big Sur. When my macbook starts - bluetooth seems to be working but soon after the icon goes grey and my mouse and keyboard stop working. I have to turn bluetooth back on and wait for the devices to be recognized.

I've reset Bluetooth, turned it on and off, rebooted after the changes, even deleted the com.apple.bluetooth file and reset the PRAM - no change.

Please help

I think I solved the problem after I was getting no response from the forum. Opened the system log file and searched for "bluetooth" entries; there were several with reference to BitDefender. Completely removed the EndPoint Security and rebooted a few times (always turning on bluetooth prior to restart) and the problem resolved itself. Also noted that prior to solving the problem, my Macbook would ding twice upon opening the desktop, and that went away also. I will try reinstalling EndPoint security again and see if it was just a Big Sur update conflict.

Chrisgigi wrote:

Same issue since update to Big Sur 11.1 of my Mac Mini M1. #

@Apple: We need a quick fix!

@All:

You are not talking to Apple, here.

We are but fellow users, like yourselves, here.

If you want to provide Feedback to Apple, go to Product Feedback — Apple, and pick the most appropriate Feedback link, such as macOS.