How to Reset Bluetooth on Mac

How to fix Bluetooth issues and reset Bluetooth on your Mac

We advise toggling Bluetooth off/on, removing, and re-pairing devices. Then, you can reset Bluetooth on macOS. Hold Shift+Option, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, choose Reset Bluetooth Module, and restart your Mac. This simple action should fix your connection issues.

A note from our experts: 

 

We believe that regular scans prevent system slowdowns and help avoid connectivity glitches. MacKeeper is a macOS utility software that offers a Safe Cleanup feature. By using it, you can remove cache, logs, and leftover files that may interfere with Bluetooth functionality.

 

To use Safe Cleanup:

1. Download MacKeeper and install it.
2. Open MacKeeper and select Safe Cleanup from the sidebar.
3. Click Start Full Scan to detect and remove junk files.
4. Review scan results and choose files to remove.
5. Click Clean Junk Files to confirm deletion.

1. Turn off and on Bluetooth on Mac

A quick toggle often resolves minor glitches. From our experience, disabling and re-enabling Bluetooth forces macOS to reload the driver, which is helpful when accessories like a Magic Mouse or keyboard stop responding.

With MacBook Bluetooth not working, here’s what to do:

1. Click the Control Center in the top-right corner.
2. Select Bluetooth and toggle it off.
3. Wait a few seconds, then toggle Bluetooth on.
4. Alternatively, open System Settings > Bluetooth and switch the slider off and back on.

2. Restart Mac

Rebooting clears temporary files and resets system processes. We consider this method is beneficial for resolving MacBook reset Bluetooth requests and fixing minor driver conflicts.

Steps to follow:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
2. Select Restart and confirm.
3. Wait for your Mac to reboot, then reconnect Bluetooth devices.

3. Repair Bluetooth devices

From our test, unpairing and re-pairing devices resolves connection conflicts and helps when you cannot connect Bluetooth headphones to your Mac.

Here's how:

1. Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Hover over a device and click the i icon.
3. Select Forget This Device and confirm.
4. Put your accessory in pairing mode and click Connect in the Bluetooth panel.

4. Reset Bluetooth module

A full module reset wipes macOS Bluetooth configuration and reloads services. Use this carefully, mainly if you rely on wireless keyboards or trackpads.

Steps for macOS Monterey and later:

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Enter sudo pkill bluetoothd and press Return.
3. Type your password and hit Enter.
4. Restart your Mac.

5. Run maintenance scripts

Running macOS maintenance scripts helps clean logs, refresh system databases, and fix hidden conflicts.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type sudo periodic daily weekly monthly and press Return.
3. Enter your admin password.
4. Restart your Mac.

6. Delete PLIST files

Corrupted preference files can prevent connections. That’s why we recommend deleting them from macOS to recreate Bluetooth settings.

Here are the steps:

1. Open Finder and click Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Preferences and press Return.
3. Delete com.apple.Bluetooth.plist.
4. Go to ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost.
5. Remove files starting with com.apple.Bluetooth.
6. Restart your Mac.

7. Reset SMC

Resetting the System Management Controller resolves power delivery and hardware-level issues, which can help fix Mac Mini Bluetooth issues.

To reset SMC on MacBooks with Intel chips:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold Shift + Control + Option and press Power for 10 seconds.
3. Release all keys and restart.

On iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Disconnect power for 15 seconds.
3. Reconnect and wait for 5 seconds, then press the Power button.

For Apple Silicon Macs, simply restart your device.

8. Reset NVRAM (PRAM)

Resetting NVRAM clears hardware preferences and cached device data. It's especially helpful when macOS fails to remember previously paired accessories, like when you try to connect Beats to a Mac.

Steps for Intel-based Macs:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and hold Option + Command + P + R.
3. Keep holding keys for 20 seconds until you hear a second startup sound or see the logo twice.
4. Release keys and log back in.

Important: Apple Silicon Macs handle this automatically with a simple restart.

How to avoid Bluetooth problems on Mac in future?

Staying ahead of Bluetooth glitches starts with basic housekeeping. A few small habits keep drivers current, services stable, and accessories connected without fuss.

Here are some valuable tips from our team:

• Keep macOS updated. Install the latest patches to ensure driver compatibility.
• Limit connected devices. Pair only essential accessories to reduce conflicts.
• Clear caches periodically. Use tools like MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup to remove leftover logs.
• Check battery levels. Low power often causes disconnections.
• Restart occasionally. Reboots refresh system services.

Conclusion

Resetting Bluetooth is a reliable way to fix connection problems on macOS. You can start by toggling Bluetooth, repairing accessories, or running maintenance scripts, and then move on to advanced methods, such as resetting the module, SMC, or NVRAM, if needed.

MacKeeper, developed by Clario Tech, offers memory optimization with its Safe Cleanup feature for removing outdated logs, caches, and leftover data. Remember that regular scans keep your Mac clean, improving wireless performance and overall stability and download MacKeeper today to simplify maintenance and avoid repetitive troubleshooting.