Reinstating a missing Bluetooth device (Mac OS X)

For some reason, my Bluetooth device disappeared from my Macbook Pro. When I clicked on the Bluetooth status and/ or went to check via Systems Preference – Network, it said my Bluetooth device was not installed.

OS X Bluetooth missing

Which was strange because it was working fine just before I shutdown the Mac.

I searched the Apple Support forums. There were a few similar problems reported and most solutions required a reboot. Specifically, I did this and it worked:
Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM

  1. Locate these keys: Command-Option-P-R keys. You’ll need to press them once you restart your Mac.
  2. Shut down the computer, and then turn it back on.
  3. Quickly press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
  4. Continue holding until you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  5. Then release the keys.

Source: docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Mac Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Reinstating a missing Bluetooth device (Mac OS X)”

  1. simonjgreen Says:
    12 June, 2008 at 3:16 pm | Reply

    Hi,

    I found this problem on my Mac Mini was down to overheating:
    http://bluhaloit.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/solve-intermittent-bluetooth-problems-on-the-mac-mini/

  2. Ryan Says:
    13 July, 2008 at 10:53 pm | Reply

    Hey,

    Thanks for the information. My bluetooth disappeared when I turned on my Powerbook this morning and this solved it. I had tried repairing my permissions before I tried this which didn’t help. So, not sure if repairing the permissions also had anything to do with the fix.

  3. kozens blog » Ein verschwundes Bluetooth Icon unter Mac OS X (Leopard) wieder zurück bekommen Says:
    8 January, 2009 at 9:59 am | Reply

    [...] My Right Brian [...]

  4. Lisa Says:
    7 June, 2009 at 7:01 am | Reply

    Thanks for the tip. I have never had a problem with my bluetooth until I installed a wireless keyboard and mouse yesterday. Everything was fine until I shut down my computer at night. When I restarted this morning the wireless devices were not working and bluetooth missing. I followed your above instructions and everything is back on line.

    Not sure if it will be gone again tomorrow though….lol, but for now all is good!!

  5. billso Says:
    14 June, 2009 at 5:02 am | Reply

    Nice tip! My mini lost the connection to the Bluetooth keyboard. I’ll find a wired keyboard, plug it in and give this reset a try.

  6. tigon Says:
    9 July, 2009 at 9:48 pm | Reply

    Thanks for the help! I lost my bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard when I updated my OS, but now it’s all working smoothly.

  7. grimjim Says:
    15 August, 2009 at 4:31 am | Reply

    Thank you very much for the help. I followed your instructions and the BT was there straight away after it went missing. I am a fairly new Mac user so I had no idea what was going on when I couldn’t connect my mouse.

    Thanks again!

  8. Thumbu Says:
    9 September, 2009 at 6:12 am | Reply

    This worked for me too. Thanks! I’d gone to the Genius Bar, and they thought it was a hardware problem. Glad I didn’t have it shipped out.

  9. JB Says:
    3 October, 2009 at 1:35 am | Reply

    Thank you so much for the excellent advice! My bluetooth mouse was working just fine until a few minutes ago when my mac said that it did not have bluetooth hardware installed on it. I followed your instructions and my bluetooth hardware magically reappeared!

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