5 Ways to Fix the ‘Bluetooth Not Available on Mac’ Error

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Jack

Bluetooth Not Available On Mac

Among the rare Bluetooth issues with people, Bluetooth not available on Mac is one error that must have made you go all haywire.

Bluetooth is a very important tool that supports a lot of system functions, like file sharing, continuity, handoff, etc. Various other technologies like iBeacons and others depend on Bluetooth, too, for their functioning.

It becomes definite that you wouldn’t want anything to go wrong with your Bluetooth. We dedicate this article to telling you ways that can help you to fix the Bluetooth unavailability issue on your Mac device.

The macOS 10.14 will be our concern here. Read on to arm yourself with the best tips for troubleshooting Bluetooth problems.

Why Does the Bluetooth Not Available On Mac Issue Happen?

It cannot be denied that Bluetooth makes computing life much easy for us. If you have a mac OS upgraded to the 10.14 version, you must have faced the random disruption of the Bluetooth function on your device. So what is the series of events that lead you to find this issue?

Firstly, any Bluetooth-dependent hardware connected to the device, like a keyboard, mouse, or headset, stops working. Then you will check the reason for it by going into the device’s Bluetooth menu.

You will come across the error message that popped up saying “Bluetooth: Not available,” and the Bluetooth icon on the menu will show a wavy strike over it, which denotes that it’s not working.

Bluetooth Not Available

You may now dig deeper into the problem by going into the Hardware tab and then into Bluetooth. The Apple system profiler will give the message “No Information Found.”

Now, this is a serious issue, unlike any Bluetooth device just randomly getting disconnected from the Mac PC. The disconnection issue can be simply resolved by either changing the device battery or by switching the Bluetooth on and off.

Many ways can be used to resolve the issue of Bluetooth not being available On macOS. A simple technique that might just work for you is by putting your Bluetooth preferences into the trash and then reconnecting.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, then you might have to perform a larger reset that will require to be hardware-specific.

Let us take you through some tried and tested methods to resolve your Bluetooth disruption issue.

PS: how to fix Alexa won’t connect to Wi-Fi.

Fixes to Bluetooth Not Available On Mac Error

You must be aware of the level of dependency of your system upon Bluetooth and how it would crash down if it disconnects abruptly.

We devote this section of the article to familiarizing you with some of the best methods to help you reconnect your Bluetooth to your Mac OS. You can debate later as to what will work best for you.

● Reboot the SMC

This option is the most preferred one among the users, i.e., rebooting System Management Controller. Opting for this method mostly works for everyone for every hardware-related issue.

There are different processes for a different type of Mac that you might be having. Let’s take a look at them.

For devices like iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini with removable batteries, these are the steps to follow:

  1. Power shut the Mac device first. Take the battery out.
  2. Make sure that the power adapter is removed from the device.
  3. Keep the Power button pressed for ten seconds.
  4. Plug the adapter back into the device. Insert the battery again.
  5. Switch on the Mac device and then reboot it.
Reboot the SMC

For devices that have a non-detachable battery, like MacBook Pro Retina and MacBook Air, follow these steps:

  1. Power off the Mac device first.
  2. Plug the power adapter.
  3. Keep the buttons Control+Option+Shift+Power pressed together for a few seconds.
  4. Release all the keys together as well.
  5. The last step is to restart the Mac.
Reboot the SMC

For devices having removable batteries, follow these steps:

  1. Power shut the Mac device first. Take the battery out.
  2. Make sure that the power adapter is removed from the device.
  3. Keep the Power button pressed for 5 seconds.
  4. Plug the adapter back into the device. Insert the battery again.
  5. Switch on the Mac device and then reboot it.
Reboot the SMC

● Delete All Bluetooth Preferences and Reboot the Mac

You may start by deleting the plist file of your Bluetooth and allowing the Mac to create a new list itself. plist are Property files used by the macOS to store the user preferences of the software for devices like trackpads, mice, and keyboards. These files might get corrupted and cause Bluetooth not to be available on Mac problems.

To delete these files is a simple process, and you just need to follow these steps to do so:

1. Close the system preferences or any other app attempting to connect to or configure the Bluetooth device to the Mac. Start with this step.

2. Now go to the Finder in your macOS. Open the option “Go to Folder” by pressing Command+Shift+G together. Enter this path: /Library/Preferences/.

Delete all Bluetooth preferences and reboot the Mac

3. Search for a file with the title “com.apple.Bluetooth.plist” and then delete this file. This search may also lead you to a file named com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.lockfile.

Delete that file as well. The first file we deleted was a system folder, so it will require you to authenticate it with the admin user.

Delete all Bluetooth preferences and reboot the Mac

4. Go to the main Apple menu. Press the Shut Down button, which will turn off the device.

5. Wait for a minute. Reboot the Mac device.

6. For the final step, re-sync the Bluetooth hardware in the menu or the system preference panel.

This method troubleshoots the problem caused by the plist file, which went corrupted and caused Bluetooth not to be available on Mac. The Bluetooth preferences folder might contain many other files with a similar extension. You can delete these files, too, and it will be safer to do so. However, you should delete the file mentioned above first.

Take care not to reboot the device one minute before shutting down, so let the device restfully. Once your system restarts again, the error must have disappeared by then. If the issue still exists, then trying the next fix might help you.

● Remove Every USB Device

This can be another speedy fix to solve the Bluetooth not available on Mac issue. Disconnecting all the USB devices can inject life back into the Bluetooth system of your PC.

Doing this will require you to eject all external drives, USB mice and keyboards, etc., and reboot your Mac PC. Now, wait for a few minutes before you reconnect the Bluetooth devices. These simple steps might be all that it would take to solve the issue.

Apple knows that its systems face the issue of Bluetooth connectivity now and then. It has constructed a dedicated page to support users who face such a problem to resolve issues.

The problems include issues with the Mac mouse and unresponsive trackpads and keyboards. They provide all the possible fixes for every such issue.

● Reset Bluetooth Module

This is one of the so many methods that you can use to fix the problem of Bluetooth Not being Available On Mac. If nothing else works, then you may have to consider resetting the module, which aims at debugging any issue that might be there. Follow these steps:

  1. Press the Shift and Option keys together. Now tap on the Bluetooth option on the PC menu bar.
  2. Click on Debug. Check the box and remove all devices.
  3. Click on Debug again. Select the option, Reset the Bluetooth module.
  4. Restart the PC.
  5. Repair all of the Bluetooth devices now.

● Remove the Downloads by Deleting Them

You may try to remember if you have downloaded any software programs or new applications in the past.

If the answer is yes, then let us tell you that the possible culprit may be lying within them. One of the files must have been corrupted, disrupting your Bluetooth connection.

The possible reason might be any virus or just an app that is not getting compatible with the Bluetooth configuration of the Apple device.

Whatever the case, the better option is to delete any such files to fix the Bluetooth not available on Mac error.

You can do this manually by following the below-given process:

  1. Open the Apple Finder.
  2. Press the cmd, Shift, and G keys together.
  3. Type in the box ~/.
  4. Double-click on the folder Downloads.
  5. Select the files that you want to delete, and you are done.

One very good app that will help you do this is CleanMyMac X.

Using it is very simple and removes all the downloaded files simultaneously.

  1. Download the software and then launch and open it.
  2. Click on Large & Old Files.
  3. Select the files that you want to delete among the recently downloaded ones.
  4. Click on the option Clean. The files are gone in seconds.
CleanMyMac X - Large & Old Files

If you have downloaded and installed any app recently and think that it might be causing trouble, then you can use this tool again to resolve the Bluetooth issue.

Using this software can help you to remove these apps completely. Follows these steps to do so:

  1. Launch the software on the device.
  2. Click on the option Uninstaller.
  3. Select the app/apps that you think we’re being problematic and want to remove.
  4. Click on the option Uninstall.
CleanMyMac X - Uninstaller

FAQs

  1. Q: How can I check the macOS version on my Mac? A: To check the macOS version, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select “About This Mac,” and you’ll see the version information displayed.
  2. Q: Will resetting Bluetooth settings remove all my data? A: Resetting Bluetooth settings will only remove your paired Bluetooth devices and settings. It won’t affect any other data on your Mac.
  3. Q: Can interference from other devices affect Bluetooth connectivity? A: Yes, interference from devices like Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, and cordless phones can disrupt Bluetooth signals and impact connectivity.
  4. Q: Is it necessary to restart my Mac after updating macOS? A: Yes, restarting your Mac after a system update helps ensure that the changes take effect and any related issues are resolved.
  5. Q: How can I contact Apple Support for assistance? A: You can visit Apple’s official website and navigate to the Support section for contact options, including live chat, phone support, and scheduling an appointment at an Apple Store.

Conclusion

We have given you the best methods to solve the Bluetooth not available on Mac error.

If nothing works for you, you may have to resort to contacting AppleCare or any third-party specialist. Make your way through these solutions, and your problem will surely be solved.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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