How to Fix macOS Monterey Bluetooth Problems

Have you installed macOS Monterey on your MacBook? And now you’re facing Bluetooth issues? Sometimes you may have issues while trying to connect to a Bluetooth device (keyboard, mouse, trackpad, headset, and other audio peripherals). There can be many reasons for this, as Apple might have made some underlying changes that could bork the Bluetooth on your Mac. Nonetheless, here are some general tips, tricks, and solutions you can follow to fix Bluetooth issues on your Mac running macOS Monterey.

Some common Bluetooth related issues that many Mac users are reporting after installing macOS Monterey include:

• Bluetooth connection problems
• Not able to connect to new Bluetooth devices
• Bluetooth devices suddenly disconnecting
• Bluetooth is unavailable
• Bluetooth not turning on
• Pairing Bluetooth devices fail
• Bluetooth stops working after a macOS Monterey update is downloaded and installed

You can use Bluetooth to connect devices to your Mac wirelessly. If you encounter Bluetooth problem after macOS Monterey update, you will not be able to use your devices properly. There could be multiple reasons why bluetooth is not working on macOS Monterey. There could be hardware or software problems.

This article explains what you can do to troubleshoot when Bluetooth is not working after macOS Monterey update.

Here is what you can do when Bluetooth is not working on macOS Monterey

Please try each step until your issue is resolved. After each step, check to see if Bluetooth is working.

If you are having Wi-Fi problems after macOS Monterey update, read this article.

Please also note that performing some of the methods below will cause you to temporarily lose connection to your connected devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc). So you may want to use a wired device.

1. Check your Bluetooth accessory

Ensure your Bluetooth device is turned on and discoverable. Make sure that your device has Bluetooth capabilities. Also, check that your device is charged or has batteries. And lastly, make sure that your device is in the range of the Mac you want to connect to.

2. Turn Off/ On Bluetooth

Click on the Bluetooth icon in the Menu bar and turn off the Bluetooth toggle. After that, restart your Mac and turn on the Bluetooth toggle. Now, try to connect the Bluetooth device with your Mac. If it fails, reset your Bluetooth device and try to reconnect the device again.

3. Ensure that your Mac is up to date

Sometimes, buggy software can result in bluetooth connectivity issues on a Mac. Apple is usually quick to release a hotfix and address OS-related issues that have been reported by users. So, if Apple has released an update since your upgrade to Monterey, it may contain bug fixes that can fix your bluetooth problems. You can update your Mac by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. If there is an update available, update your Mac.

4. . Restart your Mac and your Bluetooth device

If you are still facing issues, you can restart your MacBook and bluetooth accessory to fix the Bluetooth problem on your macOS Monterey device. This might look like cliché fix, but most minor software-related bugs and glitches can be resolved by simply rebooting your device.

To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu and then select Restart. And then power off your Bluetooth device, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.

5. Delete PLIST Files

macOS Monterey stores entire information related to Bluetooth devices on the hard drive to deliver a more personalized experience and better performance. Times when Bluetooth doesn’t work, deleting the Bluetooth files (aka PLIST files) comes in handy in fixing the issue. To do that, follow the steps below:

1. In the Finder, click Go and Go to Folder.
2. After that, type or paste /Library/Preferences. Then, locate a file named com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and drag it to the Trash.
3. Now delete Bluetooth PLIST files on Mac
4. Next up, open the Go to Folder option again and type or paste ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost. Now, find a file whose name starts with com.apple.Bluetooth followed by numbers and letters (ending in .plist). Drag it to the Trash as well.

You have now successfully deleted Bluetooth data files with information about connected/ saved devices. With that gone, try to pair your device with the Mac again, and it should work without any issues.

6. Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac

For those who aren’t aware, NVRAM or Non-Volatile Random Access Memory is a small amount of memory utilized by your Mac to store certain settings for quick access. Resetting your Mac’s NVRAM is typically considered an effective troubleshooting method when your system is misbehaving.

Here is how to reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys together. Keep holding these four keys for about 20 seconds.
3. Then release the keys.

7. Reset the SMC

Resetting your Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC) can sometimes resolve issues related to bluetooth, Wi-Fi, power, battery, and other features. It may be necessary to restore normal lower-level system functionality to your Mac especially when you’re facing hardware-related problems.

To reset the SMC:

1. Shut down/power off your MacBook.
2. Press and hold 3 keys: Shift, Control and Option.
3. Press and hold the power button, without releasing the other 3 keys.
4. Hold all keys for 10 seconds, then release.
5. Press the power button on your Mac.

Bluetooth not working after Monterey update: Problem Fixed!

Hopefully by now you have resolved any bluetooth connectivity issue you were facing on your Mac with macOS Monterey.

If you are still experiencing Bluetooth problems on macOS Monterey, contact Apple Support. The following are available Apple support options:

• Live chat.
• Genius Bar reservation.

Do you use an iPhone as your primary mobile device? In that case, you may also be interested in taking a look at some of the basic troubleshooting steps you should follow if bluetooth is not working on iOS 15.

We hope you were successful in troubleshooting your macOS Monterey Bluetooth problems. Which of the troubleshooting methods that we discussed here worked for you? Did you have another solution for Monterey related bluetooth issues? Share your experiences, thoughts, and opinions in the comments section below!