When the Bluetooth icon shows a jagged line through it or reports “Bluetooth: Not Available”, macOS has lost communication with the internal Broadcom/Apple Bluetooth radio.
Why This Problem Happens
- bluetoothd background service deadlocked.
- Corrupted Bluetooth hardware configuration cache.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Procedure
Step 1: Kill and Restart bluetoothd Process
Objective: Force restart the Bluetooth daemon.
- Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
- Run: sudo pkill bluetoothd and enter your administrator password.
Step 2: Delete Bluetooth Preference Files
Objective: Clear stored hardware pairing cache.
- Open Finder, press Shift + Command + G, and paste: /Library/Preferences/
- Locate com.apple.Bluetooth.plist, move it to the Trash, and restart your Mac.
Step 3: Perform SMC / NVRAM Reset on Intel Macs
Objective: Clear low-level hardware controller states.
- On Intel Macs, shut down and hold Option + Command + P + R for 20 seconds during power-on.
- On Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) Macs, simply shut down for 30 seconds and power back on.
Verified Troubleshooting Tips
- Disconnect high-speed USB 3.0 hubs that are placed directly next to the Mac chassis, as unshielded USB 3.0 cables emit 2.4GHz interference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Magic Mouse lag when Wi-Fi is downloading?
Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas share bandwidth inside the Mac display hinge. Switching to 5GHz Wi-Fi eliminates mouse jitter.