Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Bluetooth missing from system preferences?

Hello.


I've seached for ideas everywhere but am not having much luck.


I'm running a 27" iMac OSX, 10.8.3 (12D78) Mountain Lion

w/3.2 GHz i3

12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3


A few days ago, my magic mouse lost it's scoll, swipe, zoom, and right click abilities. The batteries were low, so I dismissed it. I have since replaced the batteries, and then noticed that the bluetooth icon is missing at the top of the screen/staus bar. I looked in system preferences, and the Bluetooth icon is also missing from there. Under the Mouse pane, there is no options for the magic mouse, only tracking speed and click speed.


I searched the archives and it appears it's a pretty common occurance. The difference is my BT mouse still works, only as a regular mouse. (Single click and pointer tracking).


I first tried a timemachine restore, with no luck.

Next, I tried a reboot. No luck.

I tried the SMC reset. No luck there either.


I know the BT is working somewhat, because after I reboot the system, the mouse pointer doesn't move, but if I click and hold the mouse buttom for a few seconds, I get control over the mouse, but like I said, with no options or extra abilities. But even with the mouse moving, there is no BT icon either on the staus bar or in system preferences.


Any ideas on what to try next?

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Apr 12, 2013 11:57 AM

Reply
44 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Jan 6, 2014 3:37 PM in response to shblet343

I hope I can help, at least with anyone else who may completely lose the bluetooth for no reason. I had the same problem, trackpad and keyboard didnt work, checked systems report, and no information was found under Bluetooth.

I called an apple support number, the guy had never heard of this happening but we corrected everything on the first try.

Try this; Apple Icon upper left screen/shut down.

Disconnect everything from the computer but the power

Once the computer is off, hold down SHIFT/CONTROL/OPTION and then press the power button. Hold all 4 keys for 5-6 seconds and release.

The computer should still be off at this point.

Cross you fingers and press the power button.

Once the computer powers up and you sign in, check to see if the bluetooth icon is now back in Systems Preferences.

It worked for me and all my devices were listed.


I hope this simple trick will work for all of you.


Cheers,


Rod Fox

Dec 26, 2014 3:35 PM in response to Rod Fox

I am using Yosemite 10.10.1 and lost the Bluetooth preference pane just as shblet343 describes. Suggestions in this thread included "Take your Mac to the Applestore" and "Reinstall your system". I am so happy I kept reading because Rod Fox's suggestion WORKED!! 🙂 It was much easier and safer to hold down 4 buttons for 5-6 seconds. Thank you Rod Fox.


shblet343: Please mark Rod Fox's answer with "This solved my question" or at the least "This helped me". It deserves to be called out.

Bluetooth missing from system preferences?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.