Mac Bluetooth Not Working on Golden Gate? 8 Fixes

Some users have reported Bluetooth problems after updating to macOS Golden Gate. Common issues include Bluetooth not working, failing to turn on, not detecting devices, slow connections, and poor audio quality.

If you're having Bluetooth problems on your Mac, this guide explains the common causes and walks you through 8 practical ways to fix them.

Why Do macOS Golden Gate Bluetooth Issues Occur?

Bluetooth problems on macOS Golden Gate can have several causes, including:

• Your Bluetooth device has a low battery.
• The Bluetooth device is turned off or isn't ready to pair.
• Your device is too far away from your Mac.
• Your Mac is trying to connect to an old or previously paired device.
• Other wireless or USB devices are causing interference.
• There is a hardware problem with your Mac or Bluetooth device.
• A macOS Golden Gate bug is affecting Bluetooth.

How to Fix macOS Golden Gate Bluetooth Issues

Try the following solutions one by one. Start with the simplest fixes before moving on to the more advanced ones.

1. Restart Your Mac

Restarting your Mac can clear temporary system glitches that may be affecting Bluetooth.

Click the Apple menu and select Restart. After your Mac starts up again, try connecting your Bluetooth device.

2. Unpair and Pair the Bluetooth Device Again

A pairing problem may prevent your Mac from connecting to a Bluetooth device properly. Removing the device and pairing it again can often fix the problem.

Open System Settings > Bluetooth, find your device, and select Forget This Device. Then put the device into pairing mode and connect it to your Mac again.

If your Mac keeps trying to connect to an old Bluetooth device, forget the old device before pairing the new one.

3. Turn Bluetooth Off and On

Turning Bluetooth off and back on can refresh the connection and fix temporary Bluetooth problems.

Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and try connecting your device again.

4. Move the Bluetooth Device Closer to Your Mac

Bluetooth connections can become unstable when the device is too far from your Mac.

Move your Bluetooth device closer to your Mac and remove anything that may be blocking or interfering with the connection.

5. Disconnect Other USB Devices

Some USB devices and cables can interfere with wireless connections.

Disconnect unnecessary USB devices, hubs, and other peripherals from your Mac, then try connecting your Bluetooth device again.

6. Restart the Bluetooth Service

On macOS Golden Gate, you can restart the Bluetooth service using Terminal instead:

1. Open Terminal using Spotlight.
2. Enter the following command and press Return:

sudo pkill bluetoothd

3. Enter your Mac administrator password when prompted.

The Bluetooth service will restart automatically. Wait a few seconds, then try connecting your device again.

7. Delete Bluetooth Preference Files

Corrupted Bluetooth preference files can sometimes cause connection problems. Removing them allows macOS to create fresh preference files.

1. Open Finder.

2. Click Go > Go to Folder or press Command + Shift + G.

3. Enter the following paths one at a time:

   • /Library/Preferences
   • ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost

4. Look for Bluetooth-related preference files, such as com.apple.Bluetooth.plist or files beginning with com.apple.Bluetooth.

5. Move the relevant files to the Trash.

   

6. Restart your Mac and try connecting your Bluetooth device again.

8. Check for Malware and Free Up Storage

Still having Bluetooth problems after trying the fixes above? Malware, system problems, or a lack of available storage can sometimes affect your Mac's overall performance.

You can use BuhoCleaner to remove unnecessary files and apps and free up storage space.

With BuhoCleaner, you can also find and delete duplicate files, completely uninstall unwanted apps, and perform other routine cleanup tasks.

Other Things to Try

The fixes above cover the most common Bluetooth problems. You can also try these additional steps:

• Make sure your Bluetooth device has enough battery.
• Keep your Mac and Bluetooth device updated.
• Check whether the Bluetooth device works with another computer or device.
• Disconnect other wireless devices to rule out interference.
• Contact Apple Support when you suspect a hardware problem.

Final Words

Bluetooth problems can be annoying, especially when your mouse, keyboard, or headphones suddenly stop connecting after a macOS Golden Gate update. In most cases, there’s no need to panic.

Try the simple fixes first and give your Mac a moment to reconnect. Hopefully, you’ll be back to using your Bluetooth devices normally in no time.