Bluetooth Not Available Mystery – MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

One of the problems I’m having with my MacBook Pro 15 is that Bluetooth stops working. The little bluetooth icon in the top right menu bar turns grey and gets a little squiggly line through it. When I click on it, it says Bluetooh: Not Available.

When this happens, I just reboot my Mac, and the problem goes away. I haven’t tried Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac or How to reset NVRAM on your Mac which are the Apple recommended approach to fixing all things messed up on your Mac.

I suppose I should try these, rebooting is easier and lets me get back to work faster. This is one of a few annoying problems I have with this Mac.

If I find a solution, I’ll post it here on http://tech128.com.

Update: I reset the SMC trying to resolve another problem and since then I haven’t had a problem with Bluetooth. On one occasion Bluetooth was off when I opened the lid but I was able to turn it back from the menu bar.

 

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So what about you? Are you having this same problem? Have a solution? Hit me up in the comments and let me know.

12 thoughts on “Bluetooth Not Available Mystery – MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)”

    1. Hi Sue,
      I tried the reset SMC solution I mentioned to try and clear up a different problem and haven’t had a problem with Bluetooth since. Not sure its solved though. Since the reset, I had one issue where I opened the lid and bluetooth was turned off, but I was able to turn it back on.

  1. I have this problem. It happens when I power on the computer with two monitors connected, one via display port, and another via adapter display-port to DVI, this issues happens always, I need first disconnect the two monitors and then power on, and then the macbook pro works normally again.
    I try everything change the port between display ports, restart the SMC and it always do the same thing.
    Really when Steve Jobs dia all the good this that he create die with him. RIP

    1. I’ll have to see if I have a similar problem. I used to have the problem all the time. now its only every couple of months. Not sure if the SMC reset has improved the issue or if I’m not using my mac the same way. I have been using my external monitors less often.

  2. Same issue on iMac with Sierra, initially attributed to interfering bluetooth device (iPhone, iPad) as the problem went away for about a week after turning BT off on other nearby devices. However it’s back after running the “FoxTel Go” app and switching the FoxTel display to my second screen. In fact BlueTooth didn’t even get started after a reboot, just showed up as “not available”. Did SMC reset and BT started but kybd & mouse are still continuously toggling off/on. Wii try using iMac without 2nd screen and see if that helps??

    1. A few people have commented about interference lately and apple had some tech support article about that. I don’t believe that was my issue. I don’t seem to have the issue too often any longer. It could be related to turning off wake from bluetooth or maybe that I don’t use the Apple bluetooth keyboard any more. I am not sure. I never had the toggling issue.

  3. I have this problem with my Macbook Pro Retina mid 2015.
    Rebooting doesn’t help. If I reset the SMC, it works for about a month and then I have to reset again.
    It’s an annoying problem

    1. I recently had the problem again and I had to reboot the machine and reset the SMC several times to get bluetooth working again. It had been at least 5 or 6 months since I had the problem. I’ve considered taking the computer to the apple genius bar and have them run some tests to see if they show a problem. I haven’t got around to it though.

  4. Hello Tech128,

    I’ve recently purchased a Mac Pro Mid 2015 and experiencing the exact same issue. Would you have any updates as to the solution to this issue? Would I need to take it to the apple store or can they resolve it via phone.

    Your time and wisdom on this matter is greatly appreciated.

    1. Max,
      This problem seems to happen to a number of different mac models. I still have the problem occasionally. I used to have it more often, but not where near as often now. Try the SMC and NVRAM resets I discussed. I had my Mac serviced at Apple for something else, they ran a diagnostic on the Wi-Fi / BT and found no problem, They removed that card and reseated it. One reader reported getting a new card, but I never heard back if that solved the problem for them.

      The Apple genius made it sound like she never heard of the problem before. If you want apple to look at the problem you may need to take your mac to the store while it is experiencing the problem so they can at least see it. They may essentially do what I suggested and then run the diagnostic and tell you your macs is fine.

      I’ve never been able to come up with any way to reliably reproduce the problem so I just live with it. Its annoying.

      I created this article and the videos not because I had a way to fix this but just because I couldn’t find any reliable info on it.

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