If Bluetooth is not working on your Mac, start by checking that Bluetooth is turned on, your accessory has enough battery, and the device is in pairing mode. Then remove and reconnect the accessory, restart both devices, install available macOS updates, and move away from possible sources of wireless interference. If the problem continues, reset the Bluetooth connection using the steps below.
Quick Answer
Try these fixes in order:
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and on.
- Charge the Bluetooth accessory and confirm it is switched on.
- Put the accessory in pairing or discovery mode.
- Select the device under Nearby Devices and click Connect.
- If it was previously connected, click the Info button next to it, choose Forget This Device, and pair it again.
- Restart your Mac and the accessory.
- Install available updates in Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Reduce wireless interference and disconnect unnecessary Bluetooth devices.
- If only one app is affected, check that app’s audio, input, or device settings.
The exact names and locations of some options can vary slightly depending on your version of macOS.
Check the Basics First
Before changing system settings, confirm that the problem is not caused by the accessory itself.
Make sure the accessory has power
A low battery can prevent a keyboard, mouse, headset, speaker, or other device from appearing in Bluetooth settings. Charge the accessory or replace its batteries, then turn it off and on again.
If the device has a power indicator, check whether it lights up. For a keyboard or mouse, try connecting it temporarily with a charging cable if the device supports wired use.
Confirm that the device supports Bluetooth pairing
Some accessories can connect only through a USB receiver, a cable, or a proprietary wireless adapter. Check the device’s instructions to confirm that Bluetooth pairing is supported.
If the accessory came with a USB receiver, remove the receiver temporarily and try pairing through Bluetooth. If it is designed to use only the receiver, Bluetooth settings on your Mac will not detect it.
Move the accessory close to the Mac
Place the device within a few feet of your Mac during setup. Once it connects, you can move it farther away to test its normal range.
Keep the accessory away from large metal objects, USB 3 devices, and other electronics that may interfere with wireless signals.
Turn Bluetooth Off and On
Refreshing Bluetooth is often enough to fix a temporary connection problem.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Bluetooth in the sidebar.
- Turn Bluetooth off.
- Wait several seconds.
- Turn Bluetooth back on.
- Look under Nearby Devices and try connecting the accessory again.
If you do not see Bluetooth in the sidebar, use the search field in System Settings to find it. You can also open Control Center from the menu bar and use the Bluetooth controls there, although System Settings provides more complete options.
Put the Device in Pairing Mode
A Bluetooth accessory usually needs to be placed in pairing mode before your Mac can find it. Pairing mode makes the device visible to nearby computers and phones.
The method differs by product. You may need to:
- Press and hold a Bluetooth or pairing button.
- Hold the power button for several seconds.
- Press a key combination on a keyboard.
- Select a pairing option in the accessory’s companion app.
Look for a flashing indicator light or a sound that confirms pairing mode. If the device is already connected to another computer, phone, tablet, or television, disconnect it there first. Many accessories can actively connect to only one device at a time.
Then follow these steps:
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
- Wait for the accessory to appear under Nearby Devices.
- Click Connect next to the device.
- Follow any instructions on your Mac or the accessory.
- If a pairing code appears, confirm that the code matches on both devices.
Forget and Reconnect the Bluetooth Device
If your Mac sees the accessory but cannot connect to it, remove its saved pairing information and set it up again. This is especially useful after the accessory has been paired with another device or after a software update.
Warning: Forgetting a device removes its saved Bluetooth connection from your Mac. You will need to pair it again. If you use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, connect a wired replacement or keep another input device available before removing it.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
- Find the accessory under My Devices.
- Click the Info button next to it.
- Click Forget This Device.
- Confirm the action.
- Turn the accessory off and on.
- Put it into pairing mode.
- Select it under Nearby Devices and click Connect.
If the device is connected but not working correctly, disconnect it first when that option is available, then forget and reconnect it.
Restart Your Mac and the Accessory
Restarting clears temporary system and connection problems.
- Save your work and close any apps that may be using the Bluetooth device.
- Choose Apple menu > Restart.
- Turn the Bluetooth accessory off while the Mac restarts.
- After you sign in, turn the accessory on.
- Put it in pairing mode if necessary.
- Try connecting it from System Settings > Bluetooth.
If you are using a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, make sure you have a wired input device available before restarting or changing Bluetooth settings. A Mac laptop’s built-in keyboard and trackpad can also help if you are troubleshooting an external device.
Check Battery, Permissions, and App Settings
Bluetooth itself may be working even when a particular app cannot use the connected device.
Check the device’s battery level
In System Settings > Bluetooth, select the connected device. Some accessories report their battery level to macOS. If the battery level is missing, that does not necessarily mean the device is defective; not all accessories provide battery information.
Check microphone permissions
If a Bluetooth headset works for listening but not for calls or recording, the app may not have microphone permission.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security.
- Click Microphone.
- Turn on access for the app that needs to use the headset microphone.
Quit and reopen the app after changing this setting. Some apps do not recognize permission changes until they restart.
Check audio output and input
For a speaker or headset:
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Sound.
- Under Output, select the Bluetooth speaker or headset.
- Under Input, select the headset microphone if you want to use it.
- Increase the output volume and make sure the device is not muted.
Video-call apps may have their own microphone and speaker menus. Check those menus as well.
Check keyboard and mouse settings
If a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse connects but behaves incorrectly, open System Settings and check Keyboard or Mouse. Look for settings related to key repeat, tracking, scrolling, or modifier keys.
If only one app ignores keyboard input, test the device in another app. This helps determine whether the issue is with macOS or the original app.
Install Available macOS Updates
A macOS update may include fixes for Bluetooth, audio, input devices, or wireless connectivity.
- Save your work.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click General.
- Click Software Update.
- Install any available update by following the onscreen instructions.
Warning: An update can restart your Mac and close apps. Save documents and keep the Mac connected to power if possible.
Also check whether the accessory has a firmware update. Some manufacturers provide updates through a companion app or support website. Use the manufacturer’s instructions, and avoid turning off the accessory while its firmware is updating.
Reduce Wireless Interference
Bluetooth shares the general wireless environment with Wi-Fi and other devices. Interference is more likely when the connection drops, audio stutters, or the device works only when it is very close to your Mac.
Try the following:
- Move the accessory closer to the Mac.
- Move the Mac and accessory away from USB hubs, external drives, and unshielded cables.
- Disconnect unnecessary wireless accessories.
- Temporarily turn off nearby Bluetooth devices that are not needed.
- Move away from crowded wireless areas and large metal surfaces.
- If a USB 3 device is close to your Mac, disconnect it temporarily to test whether the connection improves.
- Restart your Wi-Fi router if several wireless devices are having problems, while keeping in mind that this affects other people and devices on the network.
If only one Bluetooth accessory disconnects, the accessory may be the problem. If several Bluetooth devices fail at the same time, continue with the system-level steps below.
Reset the Bluetooth Connection Safely
A full Bluetooth reset is not usually the first step. Start with turning Bluetooth off and on, forgetting the affected device, and restarting your Mac. If multiple devices still fail to connect, use one of the following approaches.
Use System Settings to remove problem devices
The safest built-in approach is to forget devices individually:
- Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
- Click the Info button next to a problem device.
- Choose Forget This Device.
- Restart your Mac.
- Pair the device again.
This avoids removing every Bluetooth pairing at once.
Use Terminal to restart Bluetooth services
Some macOS installations provide a Bluetooth service that can be restarted from Terminal. This does not delete your paired devices, but it can temporarily disconnect Bluetooth accessories.
Warning: This step may disconnect your Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, headset, or other devices. Save your work first, and have a wired input device or your Mac’s built-in keyboard and trackpad available. Do not run commands you do not understand, and do not enter an administrator password unless macOS requests it for a command you intentionally ran.
- Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Enter the following command:
sudo pkill bluetoothd
- Press Return.
- Enter your Mac login password if Terminal asks for it. The password will not appear as you type.
- Press Return.
- Wait a few seconds, then open System Settings > Bluetooth and try the accessory again.
This command stops the Bluetooth background service, called bluetoothd. macOS should start it again automatically. It does not provide a separate reversal command; restarting the service is the intended change. If Bluetooth does not return, restart your Mac.
The command may not work on every macOS configuration, and Terminal may report that no process was found. If so, close Terminal and use the standard Bluetooth settings and restart steps instead.
Test in a New User Account
A damaged preference or account-specific setting can affect Bluetooth for one user.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Users & Groups.
- Click Add Account.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to create a temporary standard user.
- Sign out of your current account.
- Sign in to the test account.
- Try pairing the Bluetooth accessory.
Warning: Creating a test account changes your Mac’s user list. You can remove the account later from System Settings > Users & Groups after testing. Do not delete your everyday account.
If Bluetooth works in the test account, the problem may be related to settings, login items, or software in your original account. If it fails in both accounts, the issue is more likely related to the accessory, macOS, or hardware.
Troubleshooting
My Mac cannot find the Bluetooth device
Confirm that the accessory is charged, turned on, and in pairing mode. Disconnect it from other devices, move it closer to the Mac, and turn Bluetooth off and on. If it still does not appear, restart both devices and check whether another Mac or phone can detect it.
The device appears, but Connect does nothing
Forget the device, restart the Mac, and pair it again. Make sure the accessory is not already connected elsewhere. If the device uses a companion app, update that app and check the manufacturer’s pairing instructions.
Bluetooth keeps disconnecting
Charge the accessory, reduce the distance between it and the Mac, and remove possible interference from USB devices and other wireless accessories. Test with a different Bluetooth device. If only one accessory disconnects, update or reset that accessory according to its manufacturer’s instructions.
Bluetooth headphones connect but have poor sound
Open System Settings > Sound and select the headphones under Output. Close apps that may be using the microphone, then test audio again. When a headset microphone is active, audio quality may change because macOS is using a two-way headset mode.
My Bluetooth keyboard or mouse stopped working
Use the Mac’s built-in keyboard and trackpad, or connect a wired input device. Charge or replace the batteries, turn the accessory off and on, and forget and reconnect it. If you are about to remove the device from Bluetooth settings, make sure another input method is available first.
Bluetooth is missing from System Settings
Restart the Mac and install available macOS updates. If Bluetooth remains unavailable, test in another user account and disconnect external hubs or accessories temporarily. Persistent Bluetooth hardware problems may require Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Several Bluetooth devices fail at once
Restart the Mac, refresh Bluetooth, install macOS updates, and test with unnecessary wireless devices turned off. If the problem affects every Bluetooth accessory, the issue may be with macOS or the Mac’s Bluetooth hardware rather than one individual device.
When to Contact Apple or the Accessory Manufacturer
Contact the accessory manufacturer if:
- The device cannot pair with any computer or phone.
- Its indicator does not turn on after charging.
- It requires a firmware update or reset specific to that model.
- It connects but has a known hardware or battery problem.
Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if:
- No Bluetooth accessory works with your Mac.
- Bluetooth disappears from System Settings.
- The problem remains after updates, restarts, and testing in another user account.
- The Mac recently suffered liquid damage, a drop, or other physical damage.
Have the Mac model, macOS version, accessory model, and troubleshooting steps available when requesting help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset Bluetooth on a Mac?
First, turn Bluetooth off and on in Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth. For a specific accessory, use the Info button and choose Forget This Device, then pair it again. If several devices fail, restart the Bluetooth service with the Terminal method described above or restart your Mac.
Why can’t my Mac find my Bluetooth device?
The accessory may not be in pairing mode, may be connected to another device, or may have a low battery. Move it close to the Mac, charge it, disconnect it elsewhere, and try again.
Does forgetting a Bluetooth device delete anything?
Forgetting a device removes its saved Bluetooth pairing from your Mac. It does not erase files, reset the accessory, or delete the device’s general settings. You will need to pair it again.
Can a macOS update fix Bluetooth problems?
It can. Updates may include fixes for wireless connectivity, audio, input devices, and system services. Check System Settings > General > Software Update.
Why does Bluetooth work with one device but not another?
The problem may be specific to the accessory, its battery, pairing mode, firmware, or compatibility. Test the problem device with another computer or phone and test a different Bluetooth accessory with your Mac.
Final Thoughts
Most Mac Bluetooth problems are resolved by charging the accessory, putting it in pairing mode, refreshing Bluetooth, and forgetting and reconnecting the device. If the problem affects several accessories, restart your Mac, install available updates, reduce interference, and test with another user account. Persistent failures across multiple devices may indicate a hardware or accessory problem that requires professional support.