bluetooth

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Level 1

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bluetooth

Hi there -

I'm having intermittent problems with my iMac which is only about 6 months old ... running OS X Yosemite (all up to date). The problem is the Bluetooth sometimes stops working. Usually this happens when the computer has been sleeping - when I wake it up sometimes the wireless magic mouse and wireless keyboard do not respond. The bluetooth settings show that they are both connected, but for whatever reason they aren't actually connected. I've tried recycling the bluetooth off/on to try and reset it, or sometimes do the same with the two components (mouse/keyboard) but when I do this I just get the spinning colour wheel - generally it will do this for a long time (15-20 mins) before it quits and says that the components are NOT connected. From there, any attempts to reconnect them fails. The only fix I have is turning the computer off/on, which fixes the problem. I had a cordless phone beside the computer and thought maybe this was causing interference, but I've since moved it away and the problem remains. Any ideas? Thanks!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 15, 2015 3:06 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

141,060 points

Apr 15, 2015 3:23 PM in response to elbarko

This may help: Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues - Apple Support

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Answer 2

elbarko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2015 4:17 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks, I've had a look through that stuff previously and nothing there seems to apply to my issue. The problem seems to be something other than the typical pairing issues.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 15, 2015 8:34 PM in response to elbarko

Back up all data.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

Right-click or control-click the line and select

Services ▹ Reveal

from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart.

*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combinationcommand-C. In the Finder, select

Go ▹ Go to Folder...

from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

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Answer 4

elbarko Author

Level 1

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Apr 15, 2015 10:06 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks - I'll give it a try.

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Answer 5

elbarko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 16, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Linc Davis

So ... that didn't work, unfortunately. The procedure went just like you described, but the next time the computer went to sleep, the problem was still there - no Bluetooth. I've done the temporary fix of changing my settings to not allow the computer to sleep, so that's working but not an ideal solution. Thanks for the help anyways - any other thoughts or ideas?

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 16, 2015 3:14 PM in response to elbarko

Bluetooth devices become unresponsive

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Answer 7

elbarko Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 16, 2015 4:16 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hmm ... well, that's what I've done, but it only solves the problem temporarily. Next time the computer sleeps the problem recurs.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 16, 2015 4:42 PM in response to elbarko

Make a "Genius" a ppointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider. You may have to leave the machine there for several days.

Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.

If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

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