How to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on macOS Monterey

Looking for effective ways to fix Bluetooth not working on macOS Monterey?

Getting the latest macOS Monterey update is exciting. You can enjoy tons of new features even if it’s still in its beta phase. But like most software updates, it isn’t without its flaws. If you’re facing Monterey Bluetooth problems, you are not alone.

Many users reported their Bluetooth not working on Monterey. Some said their Macs couldn’t detect Bluetooth devices. Slow and intermittent Bluetooth connections are a problem, too. Fortunately, some workarounds are available to fix this Bluetooth issue.

Today, we’ve listed several solutions. After reading this article, we hope you can use your Bluetooth devices without a hitch again. Here’s how to fix Bluetooth not working on macOS Monterey. 

Let’s get right to it!

1. Clear Bluetooth from Mac System.

Do you see an alert saying “Bluetooth not available” whenever you try to connect your device? A corrupted plist or preference file can be the culprit. First, report this to Apple. That’s the purpose of the beta version, anyway. Next, you can do a workaround.

The workaround for this issue is to reset the Bluetooth plist file. That way, you clear Bluetooth from your Mac system before rebooting your Mac. Plus, rebooting will trigger the creation of a new plist file. It’ll then be easier for your Mac to detect Bluetooth devices. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, close any app or program attempting to use Bluetooth.
2. Then, launch Finder.
3. Next, press and hold the Option key.
4. Click Go. Then, choose Library. (Alternatively, choose the Go to Folder option. Then, type the path: ~/Library/Preferences/.

5. Select Preferences. 
6. Next, find com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file. Delete that file.
7. Restart your Mac. 

See if you can use your Bluetooth again. If not, try the next solution below.

2. Remove All Bluetooth Devices.

For some, the issue is that Bluetooth devices constantly disconnect from their Mac. If you experience the same problem, the culprit could be one of the multiple Bluetooth devices currently paired to your computer. The fix is easy. Remove all these devices.

Here’s how to remove all Bluetooth devices from your Mac:

1. First, press and hold the Option + Shift keys.
2. Next, click the Bluetooth icon.
3. Select Remove all devices.

4. Lastly, click OK to confirm the action.

Once that’s done, re-pair all the necessary Bluetooth devices. See if your macOS Monterey can connect to them successfully. If not, we have a few more tricks for you.

3. Reset Bluetooth Module.

Trying to connect to a Bluetooth device, but you can’t see it on the Bluetooth menu? Don’t fret. We have an easy fix for this issue. All you have to do is reset the Bluetooth module. This fix helps refresh your Mac’s ability to detect nearby Bluetooth devices.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, press and hold the Option + Shift keys.
2. Then, click the Bluetooth icon.
3. In the drop-down menu, select Reset the Bluetooth module.

4. Click OK to confirm the action.

After following these steps, pair all your Bluetooth devices again. This hack has worked for some users. But if that isn’t the case with you, check out another fix below.

4. Reset NVRAM/PRAM.

If you mute the volume of your Mac, you won’t hear the iconic startup sound once you restart it. How does your computer pull that off? You have NVRAM (or PRAM in older Macs) to thank. NVRAM stores different information that hard drives boot from. 

But a corrupted NVRAM/PRAM can lead to multiple Mac glitches. These include Bluetooth not working on Mac. Resetting NVRAM/PRAM is a quick and easy way to troubleshoot the issue. Don’t worry; it doesn’t delete any data from your storage drive. 

Here’s what you should do to reset NVRAM/PRAM on your Mac:

1. First, turn off your computer.
2. Then, switch it back on and quickly press and hold Option + Command + P + R.

3. Release these keys after about 20 seconds. Your Mac will then restart.

Once your computer is back on, try connecting to your Bluetooth devices. 

5. Reset SMC to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on Monterey.

SMC or System Management Controller is another probable culprit behind Bluetooth not working on macOS Monterey. It handles hardware settings on Mac, like keyboard lighting and Bluetooth. The software update might have affected your Mac’s SMC. 

Resetting SMC on your Mac could help. It could eliminate random bugs that have affected your Bluetooth’s hardware settings. Follow the instructions below to reset it.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start by shutting down your Mac.
2. Press and hold Control + Option + Shift and the Power button for ten seconds.

3. Then, release all the keys.
4. Lastly, turn your computer on.

6. Use CleanMyMac X to Polish Your macOS Performance.

Every month or so, your macOS automatically runs maintenance scripts to polish its performance. These scripts include optimizing databases and checking for errors. Running maintenance scripts can help fix Bluetooth not working on macOS Monterey.

Fortunately, there’s a way to force run these maintenance scripts. All you need is a tool that can help, like CleanMyMac X. After downloading the free version of this tool, follow the steps below to force run maintenance scripts and fix your Bluetooth issues.

Here’s how to use CleanMyMac X to polish your macOS performance:

1. Launch CleanMyMac X.
2. Select Maintenance from the sidebar.
3. Click Run Maintenance Scripts.
4. Lastly, click Run to confirm the action.

Hopefully, this trick has worked for you. If not, we have one last solution to offer. 

7. Use ToothFairy to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on macOS Monterey.

If all else fails, there’s another tool that can help you. It’s ToothFairy. It’s a sleek app designed to simplify any Bluetooth connection flow. While Apple developers resolve this issue, you can use ToothFairy to establish Bluetooth connectivity on your Mac. 

Here are some features of ToothFairy:

• You can connect and disconnect AirPods and other devices with a single click. 
• ToothFairy allows you to customize icons for each device. That way, you can instantly see what’s connected. You can also set customizable shortcuts.
• With ToothFairy, you can get the best listening experience as it allows you to switch to a high-quality AAC codec.
• ToothFairy has a sleek interface with helpful indicators. You know which device is connected and its battery level (a common issue on macOS Monterey).

This wraps up the article. We hope this was helpful! If you have more macOS Monterey or Bluetooth-related issues, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We’ll look for more troubleshooting tips to help you enjoy this latest software update from Apple.