How to troubleshoot intermittent Mac Bluetooth connections

Diagnosing and resolving Bluetooth connectivity points can show irritating, even on a Mac. Listed below are steps for effectively working via the method.

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As soon as I adopted Macs as my on a regular basis workstations, I hoped Bluetooth connectivity points have been an issue of the previous. I used to be unsuitable. Often, Bluetooth issues come up. Listed below are the steps I just lately adopted troubleshooting intermittent connectivity points on my Mac.

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The issue arose with a beloved Logitech MX Grasp 3 for Mac mouse that started intermittently disconnecting from my Intel-powered 13-inch 2020 MacBook Professional. The mouse would grow to be nonresponsive. Although I acquired no “connection misplaced” message on the Mac, the pointer didn’t reply to motion nor did clicks register. The issue would usually right itself inside 4 or 5 seconds. Nonetheless, the issue proved interruptive and virtually all the time resulted in my turning into confused and annoyed, as clicks didn’t execute instructions and the mouse pointer shot to new and surprising display areas.

Beginning to troubleshoot the mouse points

I started by following basic steering. I disabled and re-enabled Bluetooth on the Mac by opening System Preferences, clicking Bluetooth and clicking the Flip Bluetooth Off button. Then I disabled and re-enabled the mouse utilizing its sliding energy button. I additionally absolutely charged the mouse.

No pleasure. The issue endured.

Subsequent, I eliminated the mouse’s Bluetooth profile on the Mac by opening the Mac’s Bluetooth preferences, highlighting the mouse entry and clicking the corresponding encircled X, as proven in Determine A.

Determine A

Removing and reinstalling a Bluetooth peripheral can correct connectivity issues by creating a new connection.
Eradicating and reinstalling a Bluetooth peripheral can right connectivity points by creating a brand new connection.

After re-connecting the mouse (by holding down its settings button till the numeral setting started quickly blinking and clicking Join throughout the Mac’s Bluetooth preferences), the issue disappeared. However just for a brief interval. Quickly the connection points returned.

So, I attempted ranging from scratch. I uninstalled the Logitech Choices software program and once more eliminated the mouse’s Bluetooth entry. After guaranteeing no macOS updates or fixes have been out there, I rebooted the Mac for good measure, then reinstalled Logitech’s software program, guaranteeing I used to be working with probably the most present launch, and re-connected the mouse.

The issue disappeared for 20 minutes or so, however once more reappeared.

Digging deeper: Attempting a special Mac

These are the steps that usually restore correct connectivity. In case you strive these options however nonetheless encounter bother, it’s time to dig deeper.

My subsequent step was to make use of the mouse with a special Mac. I additionally use an Apple M1-powered Mac, so I set the laptop computer up in the identical location utilizing the identical mouse. And guess what: No issues. All through a heavy morning and afternoon of pc use, the Logitech system and MacBook Professional carried out flawlessly.

Whereas not the answer, the expertise demonstrated the Logitech mouse was performing correctly. Based mostly on the experiment, I might fairly conclude neither the mouse’s electronics nor its Bluetooth radio have been accountable for the intermittent points.

Additionally, as a result of I used the mouse throughout the similar atmosphere and in the identical circumstances—with an iMac and its wi-fi mouse and keyboard situated simply inches away—I might dismiss issues the mouse’s Bluetooth sign was a sufferer of crossover or attenuation.

Perplexed, I returned to utilizing the apparently malfunctioning MacBook Professional. Solely this time I linked a special Logitech Bluetooth mouse, an older MX Grasp 2S mannequin. After a couple of minutes of correct operation, that mouse additionally malfunctioned, returning to correct operation shortly thereafter.

As a result of the issues arose after putting in the macOS Monterey 12.3.1 replace, it’s doable a battle was launched with the replace that’s stopping the Intel-powered MacBook Professional from correctly speaking with exterior Bluetooth mice. However such a proof is inauspicious for 2 causes. First, Apple’s builders have an encouraging report of not often introducing new issues. Second, easy web searches fail to floor different complaints.

Having nothing to lose, I continued digging. Anecdotal proof suggests you’ll be able to delete the Mac’s Bluetooth Property Record by utilizing Finder to navigate to the Macintosh HD, double-clicking Library after which the Preferences folder and deleting the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file, as proven in Determine B. Some declare this step eliminates points, so I deleted the file and rebooted the Mac.

Determine B

Anecdotal evidence exists that deleting a Mac’s Bluetooth Property List can help resolve Bluetooth issues.
Anecdotal proof exists that deleting a Mac’s Bluetooth Property Record may also help resolve Bluetooth points.

Trial and error typically works

In my case, the step seems to have labored. For now, I’m working with fingers crossed. Whereas I, and sure you, each choose definitive resolutions, typically troubleshooting and resolving intermittent points resembling this requires persistent trial-and-error efforts. Right here’s hoping this downside’s licked.

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