Bluetooth not available on Mac

Jan 6, 2018 11:40 AM Re: bluetooth not available - High Sierrain response to DJCHR

The following workaround is working for me:

System Preference -> General -> Deselect "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud services".

Then restart compute.

This worked for me! Thank you for your response!

Hello there,

I tried everything (like deleting plist or SMC reset & ...) it didn't work.

Yesterday I updated my mac os to 10.13.2. Unfortunately I see the same problem again. Bluetooth is not available!

Totally frustrating!!!! 😟

I have already tried

SMC

NVRAM

Deleting .plist file.

pufff, nothing seems to work...

In other threads I read about to install again the latest update of 10.13.2, I'm going to do it, and share if becomes success.

Hi All,

Same situation on my 2015 iMac that after upgrading to the latest OS back to few months ago, this issue keeps happening. I brought my computer to Apple Store few months back and they replaced the bluetooth module for me.

However, the issue is still there after I plug my computer home so I brought over again. The 2nd time they replaced the main board. I thought that would be a very good arrangement for my better peace of mind but then the same situation happens again when I get home. So I brought it over for service again for the 3rd time but this time they refuse to do any service but simply telling me that they can't reproduce the situation, and ask me to go get my computer back.

To be very honest I doubt if they are really taking care of the issue at all. To me it is quite apparent that it is the latest OS crashing the bluetooth connectivity, or even worse leading to the bluetooth module disappeared all out of sudden, that it couldn't be found by the computer. Like most of you guys do, I need to use the cables to connect the keyboard and mouse to to restart (or more correctly restart a few times) the computer to gain the bluetooth module back.

The guy from Apple said they believe it is environmental related but I have been using the computer at the same spot for 2 years+ with no issue at all until I update to the latest OS, while I haven't added any devices around my desk. So it seems to be that it's only their make-up excuses. Besides, the interference would only impact the bluetooth connectivity but not resulting the bluetooth module gone completely from the s/w or OS aspect (i.e., the bluetooth icon greyed out with saw teeth on top).

Very disappointed with Apple so as their services. So if you have the same issue that you can bear with, better not bring it to service or it will be a waste of time and money.

SC

This worked for me: http://ntfs-formac.com/how-to-fix-bluetooth-not-available-problem-under-macos-si erra/

From Finder window, press Command+Shift+G to call “Go To Folder” function, then enter the following line:

/Library/Preferences/

2. Find and remove the both “com.apple.Bluetooth.plist” and “com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.lockfile” if available.

3. Shut down the Mac, then boot the Mac again after some a couple of minutes waiting.

“Bluetooth Not available” must be gone away and the bluetooth must work correctly now, and “Bluetooth Not available” must be gone away.

I have the same problem here on macos high sierra 10.13.1 (Macbook pro, early 2015). This problem happens from time to time even I reset bluetooth module, removed 'com.apple.Bluetooth.plist' from /Library/Preferences, resetting the SMC (again) and NVRAM. When I do the reset and reboot laptop, the bluetooth is working, but when I move my laptop from home to office and plugin external monitor, the bluetooth will be not available again. The bluetooth icon is displayed as "Bluetooth: not available". Reboot can fix this issue, but it's very annoying, I need reboot the laptop for every time when bluetooth is not working. Now I need reboot my laptop twice a day to make the bluetooth work, previously I just need reboot my laptop every month and there is another reason I need reboot, not related to this one.

When you always use external monitor with apple wireless keyboard/mouse, you will feel the pain, it's not working!!! Keyboard can't invoke laptop, mouse doesn't work! You have to open laptop and reboot for every time!!

Apple, please fix this issue ASAP!

Possible cause: USB 3.0/2.0 devices causes strong interference with the wireless built-in devices. That was my case. My particular solution: a powered usb 3.0 hub wit shielded cable far away the Mac (a tp-link UH700 or similar).

Info about the interference:

Logitech

WIRELESS PRODUCT NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN ALSO USING A USB 3.0 DEVICE

Apple Support:

Bluetooth: Unreliable wireless performance may occur when USB 3.0 external devices are close

Why do I have difficulty with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices when USB 3 devices are attached to my computer?

After trying everything that was suggested in this forum (delete plist, reset SMC/NVRAM, etc.) I finally found a solution for me that so far did not give me any Bluetooth malfunction.

I connected an external USB Bluetooth adapter and I disabled the built-in Bluetooth controller using the following terminal command:

sudo nvram bluetoothHostControllerSwitchBehavior="always"

(more info here: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/94402/force-os-x-to-use-bluetooth-dong le-instead-of-built-in-controller)

After restarting the Mac, the external Bluetooth adapter took over (it blinks irregularly). The mouse and keyboard had to be paired again, which is described here:

Set up your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, and trackpad - Apple Support

So far, everything works perfectly fine.

System Info:

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)

macOS Mojave 10.14.1 (18B75)

Previously, Bluetooth crashed multiple times per day. With the external adapter I am now on the third day without any crash.

I have the same problem and i've tried all the suggested solutions with no luck.

Does any one else use the unlock with apple watch feature?

Same problem here: first appeared on my MBP 13" one month ago, and more recently on my iMac 27", where it makes the computer unusable because keyboard and trackpad stop working.

I tried several procedures like reset NVRAM, PRAM and so on, but they just fix it temporarily.

Both computers are on Sierra, I was considering upgrading to High Sierra but I see that the problem persists there.

Would be nice to have a fix soon, would be even better to not have automatic updates breaking things.

Same issue for me. A BT headset started being a little flaky after upgrade, now nothing works. BT mouse started to get super slow and poof, keyboard, mouse and headset no longer work. I can sometimes pair my mouse for about 30 seconds but it is slow and disconnects.

Same issue recurs occasionally on 27" iMac running High Sierra 10.13.2 - typically after sleeping.

Deleting the bluetooth plist works for me, but the problem recurs and is a real nuisance since my mouse is bluetooth (Apple). In fact, it's my only active bluetooth device (I do have an iPhone nearby and so continuity may also involve bluetooth).

I have this same issue. I have tried resetting SMC and NVRAM. I have removed the .plist file and the problem seems to be fixed. I will update if it solves the problem permanently or not. Anyhow, Apple need to quickly come up with a fix here. Its suffering hundreds of people and frankly this is not a thing that suits a company like Apple!

Same issue here. I started having this problem within the past month or so and it's getting more and more frequent. constantly deleting a plist file and rebooting is not a solution; and considering the number of people reporting this, it's disheartening that I haven't seen anything officially addressing this problem. I was hoping there would be some fix in 10.13.3, but apparently not.

This is happening on my late 2015 27" 5K iMac.

Yes, this the annoying thing for me.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015, macOS 10.13.3

Started happening in the last couple of days, but not for months before that.

Reboot is usually quicker than all the quack remedies described here that don't really solve the problem.