Big Sur Breaks Airpods Connecting to Macbook

App & System Services Core OS
nemomeister OP
Created Oct ’20
Replies 38
Boosts 0
Views 25k
Participants 43
So after updating to Big Sur, my airpods won't connect to my Macbook. It let's me connect but after 5-10 seconds it just disconnects. (No audio can play during this time either). I've tried removing the airpods from my iCloud devices a couple ways but it didn't seem to make a difference. Please help!
Replies  38
Boosts  0
Views  25k
Participants  43
alX1031 OP
Oct ’20
Same here. I've reset the BT module and update Bigsur 11.0 Beta (20A5384c) - doesn't change a thing :/
BlazingArrow OP
Oct ’20
Unfortunately the problem still exists with Big Sur 20A5395g on my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016), @nemomeister what mac do you use?
PaperMoon OP
Oct ’20
Same problem with new update of Big Sur 20A5395g. Please find somebody to fix it!!!
BlazingArrow OP
Oct ’20
I could resolve this issue finally with removing additional audio plugins in the folder /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins.

I don’t know which of the following plugins caused the problem:

  • 1. /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/AppleAES3Audio.component

  • 2. /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/DVCPROHDAudio.plugin

  • 3. /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/InstantOn.driver (com.rogueamoeba.instanton-agent)
ctspurgeon OP
Oct ’20
Mine won't even connect to my MacBook. Running Big Sur 11.0 20A5395g.
anthonybrooker OP
Oct ’20
This fixed it for me:

"I could resolve this issue finally with removing additional audio plugins in the folder /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins."

I just deleted everything in there, restarted and hey presto. Airpods and Jaybirds finally working perfectly and holding connection with Big Sur.
Pifflik OP
Nov ’20
I have some problems - Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B28) - not only Airpods Pro but any Bluetooth headsets or headphones on my iMacPro still connect / disconnects after about 3-5 second.
urix OP
Nov ’20
this problem is in release version of Big Sur! I see the problem with AirPods Pro and with other my bluetooth headset
mayuta OP
Nov ’20
Problem persisted in the released version!!! Not really connecting my airpod pro
harshitp108 OP
Nov ’20
Same issue apple is breaking things in new updates really too much Bluetooth is basic feature which should not break on new updates
CVPDX OP
Nov ’20
You need to reset your bluetooth. I followed this suggestion:

  1. Press Shift-Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.

  2. Select Debug.

  3. Click “Reset the Bluetooth module.”

  4. Press "Ok" to continue.

  5. Restart computer

This reconnected my Airpods and bluetooth on my MacBook Air 2020. How sad I had to go to some random blogger's website to fix a developer's mistake. This whole process used up about one of hour of my time. Thanks Apple.

rafaelboiko OP
Nov ’20
I called Apple today 11/23 and they take a long time too to figure it out what's happening, and the soluction was remove a plugin from Audio Seetings at Library.

Code Block 
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL


So now my Airpod's Pro is working property well.
Just remove this folder to trash and its done.
markushowald OP
Nov ’20
Reseting Blutooth as mentioned by CVPDX followed by a restart was the solution for my macbook air 2020 (Big Sur 11.0.1)
UNKNBR OP
Nov ’20
Hi!

Can someone please help? I removed audio plug ins, it still doesn't connect.

Thanks!
chucca4 OP
Dec ’20
I did the reset and it didn't work so i deleted everything in that audio folder. it worked. phone calls shared form my iPhone picked up on my mac are fixed. thank you.
jaksen93 OP
Dec ’20
I fixed this by doing the following

  1. Forget the AirPods as a bluetooth device on Macbook and iPhone

  2. Reset the AirPods to factory settings

  3. Reconnect the AirPods to iPhone

  4. Reconnect the AirPods to Macbook
ClintF OP
Dec ’20
Endorsing this method posted by someone else already on this thread, also worked for me:

Press Shift-Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
Select Debug.
Click “Reset the Bluetooth module.”
Press "Ok" to continue.
Restart computer
Aaron93 OP
Dec ’20
I have the AirPods first gen and this worked for me

Delete "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL" folder, then restart mac
krince OP
Dec ’20
Getting similar behavior. Sometimes AirPods connect and disconnect after few seconds. Even when they do connect, they often don't make the typical "connected" sound. Also some apps continue to go through speakers even though status bar shows AirPods as connected. E.g., noticing this with Messages app playing incoming message sounds through speakers while the Music app is indeed playing through AirPods. Very unreliable and bad experience in Bug Sur.
Ibon OP
Dec ’20
After many factory resets, I have managed to make it work with just forgetting the iPhone in my MAC. After this, I had no issue with the AirPods in my MAC (Big Sur 11.0.1)
Amestdian OP
Dec ’20
Major issue with Bluetooth on 2017 MacBook Pro MacOS Sur. AirPods Pro keep loosing sound intermittently. Logitech mouse - MX Anywhere 2 and keyboard - K780 wireless Bluetooth connectivity is failing - disconnects and reconnects intermittently. Ran diagnostics with “D” . No issues found. Deleted com.apple.Bluetooth.plist. Did not work. Deleted contents of Audio. Did not work. Connected only the Aipods Pro. Sound is intermittent. Did the reset Bluetooth module routine. Did not work. Did a clean install using a USB-C Flash drive. Audio keeps going in and out on AirPods Pro. Apple, fix it! before releasing a winter product and before somebody sues big time. Why is Apple not acknowledging this issue?


Apple, CEO, do you see people are deleting folders and files left and right?

and none of you are mentioning the Apple Mac model you are using. Please do. It may help.
KingJulianZ OP
Dec ’20
Thanks jaksen93, everything works fine now. The sound quality is better now

Don't forget to change the balance and put it on the middle if only one airpod works
ziran137 OP
Jan ’21
Same problem here after upgraded to Big Sur for my Mid-2014 Mac Pro. So frustrated, the connection just isn't stable. Tried a lot, nothing worked so far./...
harungunes OP
Jan ’21
Firstly disconnect the AirPods and remove
Then clear the plugings here: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins
Try to connect.
CodeWithKarma OP
Jan ’21
Clearing the /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins worked for me. Thanks @harungunes
Big Sur Breaks Airpods Connecting to Macbook
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