M1 Mac Mini bluetooth speaker issues

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M1 Mac Mini bluetooth speaker issues

Hey folks, I know there has been a lot of talk around bluetooth connectivity issues for the M1 Mac Mini, specifically around keyboard and mouse, but has anyone experienced and solved bluetooth connectivity issues for speakers?

I'm currently using a JBL Flip 5 bluetooth speaker until I get some studio monitors. I can connect the speaker to my computer, but usually within a few minutes, it disconnects itself. I've disconnected the speaker from my phone's bluetooth so I don't think there is an issue of two devices trying to connect to it, and I can easily select the speaker on my computer again and it connects back. It just constantly keeps disconnecting itself.

Mac mini, macOS 11.2

Posted on Apr 9, 2021 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

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Amanda239_91

Community Specialist

Apr 10, 2021 10:34 AM in response to DJAdamz

Hi DJAdamz,

We understand you're experiencing some problems with your Bluetooth speaker disconnecting from your Mac mini, and we'd like to help. To clarify, are you using the most recent version of macOS Big Sur? If so, are any external devices connected to the Mac mini, such as a hard drive? Does the problem persist if you disconnect all of the external devices except a mouse, keyboard and monitor? This will help us determine if there is a power issue causing a weak Bluetooth signal.

You might also try disabling Bluetooth and re-enabling it on the Mac to see if that resolves the issue.

Please let us know what you find.

We're here for you!

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Answer 2

Apr 11, 2021 11:16 AM in response to DJAdamz

Hi, I'm also using a JBL Flip 5. It works well for about a week, then needs to be reset, or removed from Bluetooth and reconnected.

One IMPORTANT thing is that this speaker is set to sleep after a couple of minutes of quiet. It won't reconnect automatically. To fix that, just leave it plugged in to its charger, and it won't sleep or disconnect frequently. I don't know if there's a way to stop it from sleeping when it's on battery power - if you figure out how to do that, please let us know.

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Answer 3

DJAdamz Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 12, 2021 7:23 AM in response to Amanda239_91

Hi Amanda,

Yes, I am on the most recent version of macOS. I do have external hard drives connected.

This seems to have solved the speaker disconnecting itself from the computer. I do normally keep my hard drives connected at all times. I'm hoping this issue will be fully resolved in the future.

Thank you for the work-around in the meantime!

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Answer 4

DJAdamz Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 12, 2021 10:47 AM in response to Amanda239_91

Unfortunately I spoke too soon...

It was working immediately after I took the steps you noted. Since then, I've walked away from my computer, turned off the speaker, and came back. I tried reconnecting it and now the problem has returned. I still don't have any hard drives connected either.

I am afraid to disconnect bluetooth as both my keyboard and mouse are connected via bluetooth and I will lose control over my computer once bluetooth is deactivated.

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M1 Mac Mini bluetooth speaker issues

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