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

Level 5

4,565 points

Bluetooth: Not Available after 10.12.2 upgrade

The subject says pretty much all: MacBook Pro 15", running 10.12.1 with Magic Mouse, so far so good.

Upgraded one hour ago to 10.12.2 and "Bluetooth: Not Available". I have read other forums and pages where this issue happened during beta testing, but never beta tested in this computer (the only laptop I have).

System information says there is no bluetooth.

Tried several workarounds like deleting the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist, resetting SMC or NVRAM or restarting in Safe Mode.

Bluetooth: Not Available. Is it just me?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.2), null

Posted on Dec 13, 2016 1:09 PM

Best reply

sethmanchu

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jan 18, 2017 8:23 AM

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I had this problem as well, and I thought I would post what resolved my Bluetooth Not Available problem. Don't know if external links are permitted here or not, but I found this answer at https://www.igeeksblog.com/fix-bluetooth-not-available-error-mac/.

I deleted my com.apple.BlueTooth.plist, but that didn't fix it, nor did Killing and restarting the blued process.

Finally, I reset my SMC (System Management Controller) using these steps:

1 - Shut down my MBP

2 - Connect the power adapter

3 - Hold down Shift+Opt+Ctrl+Power for a while (I counted to 30 just to be safe), then release all buttons.

4 - Power on as normal

After that my Bluetooth is working again. I have a Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014 MBP. Just upgraded to 10.12.2 yesterday, which caused this problem, I believe. Hope this helps someone else too.

View in context

40 replies

mabaeyens Author

Level 5

4,565 points

Oct 12, 2017 2:01 PM in response to ck6981

Somehow yes, I did. The issue was caused by the Thunderbolt Belkin hub. As soon as I unplug it and reboot, Bluetooth works (and has even improved in High Sierra). If I forget to unplug the hub, chances are Bluetooth will say "Not Available" but still, be there.

I needn't any file removed or special restart sequence.

mabaeyens Author

Level 5

4,565 points

Oct 12, 2017 3:00 PM in response to ck6981

Just as I mentioned, I use a Belkin hub which connects to the Mac by means of a Thunderbolt cable. If at the time of turning on the laptop the hub is connected, Bluetooth does not work, or at least, most of the times it doesn't.

If I simply unplug such Thunderbolt cable, turn the Mac on, then plug the cable, everything works as far as I can tell.

A different question, which is why I leave it unanswered, is how the same issue is caused by so many different reasons with so many different solutions and in my particular case, as the original poster, how a cable for a hub made Bluetooth stop working. Hardware failure? Coincidence? However it is, I'm OK now unplugging and plugging the cable if I need to.

Jan 17, 2017 4:22 AM in response to mabaeyens

I have same issue 😠. I tried to remove plist file, restart and also reset my SMC but without any result. Still have bluetooth unavailable

Mar 20, 2017 2:53 PM in response to mabaeyens

I have the same issue, none of the above mentioned worked for me after I upgraded to Sierra OS 10.12.3. Waiting for support to respond/fix.

ck6981

Level 1

14 points

Oct 12, 2017 2:42 PM in response to mabaeyens

If you don’t mind telling me how you actually did it? I had to actually buy a trackpad just so I can use my iMac. Thanks.

mabaeyens Author

Level 5

4,565 points

Dec 13, 2016 1:23 PM in response to mabaeyens

Odd enough, plugged the Lenovo mouse I have to use at work and it worked just fine.

I know the magic mouse is fully charged because I took it from the charger just before upgrading, while Facetiming my family.

So Bluetooth does work, it cannot be managed in the system preferences and, well, I don't know what to say, Apple's own hardware is lost but a third party mouse works just fine. The icon in the menu bar shows "Bluetooth: Not Available" and the System Reports shows "No Information Found" in the Bluetooth section.

Still, anyone else experiencing this?

P.S.: I cannot get back to the previous 10.12.1 because internet ***** where I am either for downloading it again or restore a previous version.

This must be a joke.

Dec 13, 2016 8:30 PM in response to mabaeyens

I have the exact same issue (Bluetooth: Not Available).

I thought my issue was related to the fact (maybe it still is) that I upgraded the bluetooth chip (to Bluetooth 4.0) in my Mac Pro Mid 2010 (2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon) in order take advantage of handoff, continuity, hotspot, etc., which has worked fine for a year and a half. But if it's happening on your MacBook Pro, maybe it's a bigger issue.

Not sure what version your MacBook Pro is, but I'm wondering if you upgraded your bluetooth chip at some point. Did you?

Dec 13, 2016 8:57 PM in response to Rastabada

And, I'm dumb... I assumed my problem was larger than it was, so I didn't do the basics before posting. Merely deleting "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist" and restarting did the trick for me.

Hope you find a solution soon.

Dec 14, 2016 12:42 AM in response to mabaeyens

I have the same problem ...

joe@ma

Level 1

25 points

Dec 14, 2016 2:43 AM in response to mabaeyens

I have the exact same problem after upgrading to macOS 10.12.2. Bluetooth status in menu bar says "Bluetooth: Not available" and the connection to the Magic Mouse 1 is cut.

MacBook Pro Retina 15" (Mid 2014).