Easiest Fix for Bluetooth Not Connecting on Macbook

The macOS operating system, especially macOS Monterey, is facing a bug causing many Macbook devices to fail to connect via Bluetooth. To help you resolve this issue, Mytour will guide you through the latest methods to fix Bluetooth problems on Macbook.

Guide to Fix Bluetooth Not Turning On, Connecting on Macbook

1. How to Activate Bluetooth on Mac

All recent Mac models come equipped with Bluetooth. This means you can utilize Bluetooth without the need for any third-party software installations. If your wireless keyboard and mouse aren't connecting, you can activate Bluetooth using the following method:

Method 1: Via System Preferences

Step 1: Open System Preferences.

Step 2: Select Bluetooth.

Step 3: Choose Turn Bluetooth On.

After activating Bluetooth, your MacBook will automatically search for nearby Bluetooth devices and display them on this window. You can connect to a desired device by right-clicking on it and selecting Connect.

If you don't see the device, make sure the device is turned on and within Bluetooth range.

Method 2: Using the Menu Bar

A quicker way to activate Bluetooth is by selecting the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar and turning on Bluetooth.

If you don't see the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar, open System Preferences, select Bluetooth, and enable Bluetooth to show on the menu bar.

After activating Bluetooth, a list of devices within range will appear, and you can connect by clicking on the desired device.

Method 3: Using Siri

Another clever way to activate Bluetooth is by utilizing Siri. Through this virtual assistant, you can command to turn on Bluetooth without any manual actions.

2. Reasons for Bluetooth Malfunction and Troubleshooting

Bluetooth malfunction can stem from hardware or software errors. If Bluetooth is enabled but your MacBook cannot detect other devices, you need to fix Bluetooth connection issues on Mac following these steps:

- Check if your Bluetooth device is turned on. In some cases, you may forget to turn on the device or the device indicator light may be faulty.
- Check if your Bluetooth device is fully charged because AirPods and other Bluetooth devices may run out of battery and stop working faster than you think.
- Check if your Bluetooth device can connect to other phones, tablets, or laptops.
- Check if your MacBook can connect to other Bluetooth devices.

If other Bluetooth devices are working fine, the issue lies with your MacBook. In this case, you can try the following methods to fix Bluetooth issues.

Method 1: Restart Bluetooth

The first troubleshooting method for Bluetooth issues is to try turning Bluetooth off and on again. Although it sounds simple, turning Bluetooth off and on may restore the connection with external devices. Simply click on the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar, then turn Bluetooth off and on again.

Method 2: Reconnect USB Devices

In addition to restarting Bluetooth on your MacBook, you can also try reconnecting external Bluetooth devices using the following method:

Step 1: Click the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar and select Bluetooth Preferences.

Step 2: Select the device you want to disconnect and click the X icon. Repeat for all devices.

Step 3: Restart your MacBook.
Step 4: Open the Bluetooth window and reconnect your devices.

Method 3: Delete .plist Files.

You may not know or even need to care about these .plist files. These are files created by macOS to manage Bluetooth connections on your MacBook. By deleting these files to allow macOS to update itself, Bluetooth issues can be resolved.

Step 1: Open Finder.

Step 2: Press the Cmd+Shift+G combination.
Step 3: Enter -/Library/Preferences/ByHost into the search box and press Return.

Step 4: Find and delete the .plist files.

Step 5: Restart your Mac.
Step 6: Turn Bluetooth back on to check.

Method 4: Restore Bluetooth Settings

Typically, by restoring Bluetooth settings, you can resolve most wireless connection issues. Depending on your MacBook version, the method of restoring Bluetooth settings may vary.

For macOS Monterey:

Step 1: Open Terminal.
Step 2: Copy the following command line into the Terminal window: sudo pkill bluetoothd
Step 3: Press Return.
Step 4: Enter your MacBook's password and press Return.

For macOS Big Sur and earlier:

Step 1: Press Shift+Option and click on the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar. Then select Reset the Bluetooth module.

Step 2: Select OK to confirm.
Step 3: Restart your MacBook.

Method 5: System Update

Even on a MacBook, system errors can still occur, such as Bluetooth issues on the latest macOS Monterey version. You need to check if your device has been updated to the latest version using the following method:

Step 1: Select System Preferences.
Step 2: Choose Software Update.
Step 3: If there's a new update, select Upgrade/Update.

Method 6: Reset NVRAM

NVRAM stands for nonvolatile random-access memory, where MacBook settings are stored for quick tasks. Resetting NVRAM can resolve many software issues, including Bluetooth problems. You can reset NVRAM using the following method:

Step 1: Turn off your MacBook.
Step 2: Press the power button to turn on your MacBook, simultaneously press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys for 20 seconds and release.
Step 3: After your MacBook restarts, try checking the Bluetooth connection.

Method 7: Reset SMC

Short for System Management Controller, SMC manages various system processes, including Bluetooth connections. You can reset the SMC using the following method:

For MacBooks:

Step 1: Disconnect all peripherals from your MacBook, except the charger.
Step 2: Press and hold Shift+Control+Option+ power button for 10 seconds.

For iMac:

Step 1: Power off the iMac.
Step 2: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
Step 3: Restart the iMac.

After rebooting the device, double-check the Bluetooth connection.

Method 8: Delete Junk Files in the System

Junk files can cause various system errors on your MacBook. You can delete these files with MacCleaner Pro.

Step 1: Download and install MacCleaner Pro.
Step 2: Choose Clean Up, select all junk files to delete, and click Review and Clean Up.

Step 3: Use the App Cleaner & Uninstaller function of MacCleaner Pro to remove unused software.

Aside from Bluetooth issues on MacBook, if you're experiencing graphics card errors and unsure how to fix them, don't worry. You can find solutions here.

Read more: How to fix MacBook graphics card errors

So, Mytour has guided you on how to fix Bluetooth issues on MacBook. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below for others to answer.