TL;DR
Here is how you can resolve the Mac Bluetooth not turning on issue:
- First of all, check that your Mac is charged, as low battery can affect Bluetooth connectivity.
- Next, verify that Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac via the Control Center.
- Position your device within a 30-foot range and remove any interference from other electronics or metal objects.
- You can also refresh the connection by toggling Bluetooth off and back on using the Control Center.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Is your Mac Bluetooth not turning on? Mine wasn’t either and I was unable to connect my Apple Mouse, my AirPods, or my Magic Keyboard. That’s when I realized how much I rely on these Bluetooth devices for my everyday tasks. So, I started troubleshooting and found a few effective solutions to my Bluetooth problem. In this guide, I’ll walk you through these fixes to get your Mac’s Bluetooth back up and running in no time.
Before We Begin
Viruses and malware can cause various connectivity problems like Mac Bluetooth not turning on. But you can easily avoid these issues with MacKeeper’s Antivirus which protects your Mac from harmful threats. Download Mackeeper to ensure an uninterrupted Bluetooth experience.
Not all Bluetooth devices are fully compatible with macOS. Check the device’s manual or manufacturer’s website to confirm compatibility.
Basic Troubleshooting to Fix Mac Bluetooth Not Turning On
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Before extensive troubleshooting for Mac Bluetooth, consider the following steps:
1. Check the Battery Level
Low battery can affect device connectivity, and the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar will indicate this as well. So, make sure your Mac is charged.
2. Ensure Bluetooth Is Turned On
This is a simple step, but it is often overlooked. So, confirm that Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac. You can check it from the Control Center in the menu bar:
- Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar.
- Look for the Bluetooth option.
- If the icon is blue and says On, Bluetooth is enabled.
- If it’s off, click on Bluetooth and toggle it on.
- This can often fix connectivity issues by ensuring Bluetooth is active on your Mac.
This simple step often resolves connectivity issues, as Bluetooth needs to be actively enabled for your Mac to detect and connect to other devices.
3. Positioning and Interference
If your Bluetooth turns on but doesn’t connect, place the device you’re trying to connect within a 30-foot range of your Mac. Make sure there’s no obstruction from devices like cordless phones, microwaves, or wireless networks operating on the 2.4 GHz band and metal objects.
Beginner-Friendly Ways to Fix Mac Bluetooth Not Turning On
If your Mac Bluetooth is still not turning on, you can try the following beginner-friendly methods to fix it.
4. Turn Your Bluetooth Off and On
It may sound trivial but you can refresh the Bluetooth connection by toggling Bluetooth off and back on. This can address any minor issues causing connectivity problems.
To turn Bluetooth off and back on on a Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your Mac’s screen.
- In the drop-down menu, select Bluetooth to disable/enable Bluetooth.
- Toggle off Bluetooth.
- Wait for a few seconds and toggle on the Bluetooth again.
- It will re-enable Bluetooth. Now, check to see if the Bluetooth connectivity has restored.
5. Check Bluetooth Settings
Next, check your Bluetooth settings to see if is turned on and properly paired with your device. This will fix misconfigured settings causing your Mac Bluetooth not turning on.
Follow these steps to check your Bluetooth settings on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Ensure the Bluetooth toggle is on and your device is listed as Connected.
6. Disconnect All Bluetooth and USB Devices
If your Mac still doesn’t turn on Bluetooth, you may need to remove all devices currently paired with it. Removing idle Bluetooth devices can fix connectivity issues by freeing up space in the device’s memory and reducing any conflicts between devices.
There’s a limit to the number of connected Bluetooth devices on Mac. The maximum number is seven, but sometimes you may experience issues when exceeding three or four devices.
Follow these steps to remove Bluetooth devices from your Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Find the device causing the issue and click the Disconnect button next to it to remove it.
- Repeat this process for all Bluetooth devices currently paired with your Mac.
7. Restart Your Mac
Restarting your Mac clears the system’s cache, closes all running programs, and can fix minor software issues causing problems with Bluetooth.
Follow these steps to restart your Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen.
- Select Restart from the drop-down menu.
- Wait for your Mac to restart. Then, turn on your Bluetooth to see if it connects.
Advanced Methods to Fix Mac Bluetooth Not Turning On Issue
If basic troubleshooting didn’t help, try advanced methods to fix Mac Bluetooth connectivity issues. Below, I’ve shared some more tech-savvy methods to get your Bluetooth working again.
8. Update Your macOS
Outdated macOS, apps, or drivers can also cause Bluetooth connectivity issues on your Mac. Regularly update your macOS to optimize your Mac’s performance and ensure smooth Bluetooth connectivity.
⚠️ Before updating macOS, make sure to back up your data to prevent any potential data loss.
Here’s how to update your macOS to fix the Bluetooth connectivity issue:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- In the System Settings window, click General in the left sidebar.
- Click Software Update in the right pane.
- In the Software Update settings, you’ll see information about the current macOS version installed on your Mac and any available updates.
- If an update is available, click the Update Now button to start the download process. The macOS update files will start downloading to your Mac.
- Once the download is complete, the macOS installer will automatically launch.
- Your Mac may restart multiple times during the installation.
- Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart with the latest macOS version.
🚫 Caution: Interrupting the update process can lead to system issues or incomplete installation. Keep your Mac connected to power and avoid shutting it down during the update.
9. Reset Bluetooth Module
Resetting the Bluetooth module on your Mac can resolve Bluetooth connectivity issues. This is especially effective if there are software conflicts or corrupted files. It forces your Mac to start the Bluetooth process from scratch, resolving issues causing Bluetooth to malfunction.
In macOS Monterey and Ventura, the Shift ⇧ + Option ⌥ + click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar no longer displays a Bluetooth reset option. So, to reset Bluetooth, you will need to execute a command in the Terminal.
Here’s how to reset Bluetooth module on Mac:
- Open Terminal on your Mac by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo pkill bluetoothd
- Type your password and press Enter to execute the command.
- Exit Terminal and restart your Mac.
- Your Bluetooth should work properly now.
10. Reset the SMC
The System Management Controller (SMC) manages different Mac hardware components, including Bluetooth connectivity. By resetting the SMC, you can clear out any temporary data or settings that may interfere with the Bluetooth connection.
Follow these steps to reset the SMC on your Mac:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Allow your Mac to power off completely.
- If your Mac is connected to a power adapter, unplug it from the power source.
Depending on your Mac model, follow the appropriate steps to reset the SMC:
If you’re unsure about your Mac’s processor, consult the Apple Support page.
MacBook With a Non-Removable Battery
- Tap the Apple icon and select Shut Down from the drop-down menu.
- Press and hold the Shift ⇧ + Control ^ + Option ⌥ keys with the Power button for 10 seconds.
- Release all the keys and the Power button at the same time.
- Then, press the Power button to turn on your Mac.
MacBook With a Removable Battery
- Shut down your Mac.
- Remove your MacBook’s battery.
- Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds while the battery is removed.
- Release the Power button and reinstall the battery.
- Turn on your Mac by pressing the Power button.
MacBook With Apple Silicon
Apple Silicon Macs don’t have a System Management Controller (SMC) like their Intel-based Mac. So, performing an SMC reset is not possible on Macs powered by Apple Silicon processors.
Bonus Fix: Run A Virus Scan on Your Mac to Prevent Bluetooth Connectivity Issues
Sometimes, no troubleshooting help fix the Bluetooth issue on your Mac because the root cause is malware. So, I strongly recommend to scan your Mac for potential viruses. Malware can disrupt your Mac’s components, including Bluetooth. MacKeeper offers a reliable Antivirus feature to thoroughly scan your system and keep it free from any malicious programs.
Follow these steps to run a virus scan on your Mac using MacKeeper:
- Download and install MacKeeper.
- Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.
- Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.
- If any viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
- Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.
Now, MacKeeper will continue to run in the background. It will scan your Mac for threats and actively block any malicious activity. So, if virus is causing Bluetooth connectivity issues, it should be fixed.
What Else Can MacKeeper Do?
Besides checking your Mac for malware, MacKeeper can help you uninstall unnecessary apps on Mac, clean junk files, remove duplicate files, and delete login items on your Mac. Check out my detailed MacKeeper review to know more about its features.
Reasons for Mac Bluetooth Not Turning On
Your Mac Bluetooth may not turn on due to a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include the following:
- 💻 Hardware Issues: If your Mac has a damaged Bluetooth module, it may be unable to turn on Bluetooth.
- 🔍 Software Conflicts: Some third-party applications or extensions may interfere with Bluetooth.
- 📱 Outdated macOS: An outdated operating system may have compatibility issues with Bluetooth devices. Bugs in macOS can also affect Bluetooth functionality.
- 🗃️ Corrupted System Files: Corrupted system files can prevent Bluetooth from turning on.
- 🔋 Battery Drain: If your Mac’s battery is low or drained, Bluetooth may not turn on.
- 📶 Interference: Bluetooth connectivity can be affected by interference from other wireless devices or even physical objects.
Connect Your Devices With Mac Bluetooth
Now you know how to fix the turning on issue of your Mac Bluetooth. But if you have other connectivity issues with your Bluetooth or other devices, try the following tips:
- If you get a Bluetooth not available on Mac error, delete the Bluetooth .plist files, forget and re-pair your devices, reset Bluetooth settings, or reset the Bluetooth module.
- If you’re unable to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac, check if your devices are visible before your start troubleshooting Bluetooth.
- Your Mac Bluetooth may not be the problem if your Apple Mouse is not working. Check its batteries, settings, and sensors.
