Bluetooth disabled after updating to OS X El Capitan 10.11.5

If you haven't already done so, please try this simple step first.

In addition to resetting the SMC, you may also want to reset the NVRAM too. Users experiencing similar issues in this discussion thread covering loss of Bluetooth reported the issue was resolved with an NVRAM reset.

I'm having major Bluetooth issues after downloading the new version. My iPod and iPad have major difficulty connecting any my iPhone won't even connect. I was on the phone with Apple for over two hours with no resolution. I'm now in the process or reinstalling hoping that may help. If not, I'm going to attempt to go back to a prior version of El Capitan. I love wasting over 6 hrs on a stupid Apple issue. If you're going to release a new version, please make sure you've diligently tested. Very annoyed!

Nooooo.

I reported this problem when I upgraded by 2 hour unboxed 10.11.3 OS to 10.11.4 - see here:

El Capitan - Bluetooth Not Available

Seems like the problem still exists in the new version.

For what it's worth, I was completely unable to fix the problem even with Apple support. Had to go back to the store and exchange the Mac. Have not updated the software and will not be doing so on the basis of the above...

Try booting in Safe Mode and see if Bluetooth is present there (my guess: it will). Then let us know.

I called Apple Support and let them know that the Bluetooth Not Available problem is still present in 10.11.5 and that this discussion board indicates that it is a problem for many users. This seemed to be news to the tech (who thought it was a hardware problem). Interestingly, I never had this problem on my 2014 Macbook Air running the same system (then 10.11.4) until I migrated its files to the Pro (10.11.4, now .5).

I have tried all the solutions previously posted except re-install system. The short-term fix of powering down after removing ALL peripherals (including power and displayport cable) and turning off Bluetooth peripherals, waiting a few minutes, and then powering up seems to work. Better than removing all the plist files at least. As long as the unit is not shut down, no problems.

Despite the tech's assurance that my issue would be delivered to "the right people," I don't have much hope for a fix unless everyone who has the same problem reports it to Apple Support.

It's completely f***ed.

Not a big issue for MacBooks which have keyboards and mice built it - for anyone with a Mac this renders the device unusable.

Weird that I had the issue when moving from 10.11.3 to 4, and others are now having it moving from 4 to 5.

Exactly the same issues - my brand new iMac 27" is having the same problem - Apple Support suggestion is that I tuck it under my arm and walk through Birmingham city centre to an Apple Store! - Only solution is repeatedly re-start the PC with all USB devices disconnected until the Bluetooth re-starts and the keyboard & mouse are detected - currently hunting eBay for Wired Mouse & Keyboard.

Guessing that a full fix for this issue will not be forthcoming until El-Capitan is replaced in the Autumn 2016 - at least I'm reassured by the fact that I'm not alone experiencing this issue but thats little consolation!

Hey guys I have had this issue for some time now since 10.11.3 . I just upgraded to 10.11.5 hoping that would fix the issue and bluetooth was restored, yay!! NOT, I went to bed that night woke up the next morning and bluetooth was gone again. Im guessing it has something to do with my iMac going to sleep for a long period of time. iMac mid 2011. The other thing is my bluetooth preference dance is there but it's unresponsive, it shows that bluetooth is on but if I click the button to turn it off it doesn't respond, can't turn bluetooth off. This is one of the worst issues I have ever had with an apple product. I repeated all the resolution steps to try and solve but a no go. PRAM reset, SMC rest, unplug all USB, plist delete, preference delete. I don't know what else??

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.

Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode - About El Capitan

Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan.

Eric thanks much but this did not work. Bluetooth did not work in any other account I had, my wife's and then I created a new one but still nothing. After several restarts in safe mode the bluetooth preference pane disappears and the system report says I have no bluetooth found, then randomly after an hour or so preference pane reappears but still does not work. System report generates that I have bluetooth but still does not work. Bluetooth doesn't even scan for devices. I know its not the BT module it worked great after 10.11.5 update but then iMac went to sleep for several hours at night and when I woke up not working. I have reset the BT module as well. Can't tell you how frustrating this is. Had to buy a usb keyboard and mouse just for my iMac to work. This seems to be a fairly large problem that Apple is not owning up to.

Just to clarify: even while booted in Safe Mode, Bluetooth was still not working?

Luis, yes that's right.