Big Sur bluetooth problems

Since updating to Big Sur I'm having trouble with my bluetooth devices. They (mostly) connect OK, but I cannot play sound to my bluetooth speakers or headphones. The issue occurs on both of the Macs that I have updated so far.


Any advice?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 15, 2020 2:50 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 4:55 AM

Thank you very much, this solved the problem on both my iMac and my MacBook Pro.


Here is what I did:


  1. Open a folder window and in the "Go" menu from the toolbar at the top of the screen click on "Go to Folder..."
  2. When prompted enter the following: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/HAL/
  3. You will be taken to the "HAL" folder in Finder, which in my case contained only one subfolder, called "InstantOn.driver". Delete this folder, entering your password as confirmation when prompted.
  4. Restart your Mac and hopefully everything will now work fine.


Poor show, Apple!



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236 replies

Dec 20, 2020 4:38 AM in response to marinus257

What’s on that top menu bar, top of your screen now? If you can’t see Go on the menu bar maybe there’s something in the Dock & menu bar options in System Preferences. Last resort I’d re-install Big Sur and it should appear then I’d hope. Really surprised they couldn’t sort it in in the Apple shop but maybe try a chat with Apple support. Sorry I can’t help more. Good luck.

Dec 25, 2020 10:44 AM in response to Oracularguy

I have this computer:


  Model Name: MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,4

  Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed: 2,2 GHz

  Number of Processors: 1

  Total Number of Cores: 4

  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

  L3 Cache: 6 MB

  Hyper-Threading Technology: Enabled

  Memory: 16 GB

  System Firmware Version: 425.0.0.0.0

  SMC Version (system): 2.29f24

  Hardware UUID: D0627E87-C543-591F-B4D5-20FF2E6E23A2

  Provisioning UDID: D0627E87-C543-591F-B4D5-20FF2E6E23A2



Jan 4, 2021 1:33 AM in response to BCampbell46

I only have a mac keyboard and a mac trackpad connected w Bluetooth. The HAL plugins are deleted, there's no WiFi running, and I've reset the Bluetooth module.

I'm within a metre of the device.

I'm running a 2018 Mac Mini.

Just upgraded to Big Sur and now getting a constant connect/disconnect problem with the trackpad (every 10 seconds and less) and every few minutes with the keyboard.


How is this remotely ok?


Jan 9, 2021 6:53 PM in response to ValleyForge

I did a clean install of MacOS Sur on 2017 MacBook Pro 16 GB from an external flash drive. The Bluetooth issue for Audio, even with AirPod Pro is not working. So, not buying the AirPod Max. does not keep the sound alive. Bluetooth keyboard and mouse does not work smoothly and disconnects frequently. Now I use a unifyer for Logitech keyboard and Mouse. A new thing I have noticed. Everyday in the morning, when I wake up the laptop, the mouse starts jumping. Anybody has a fix? Please do not ask to delete the HAL directory or any drivers. I have no HAL folder.

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Big Sur bluetooth problems

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