Fix Bluetooth speaker dropouts on Mac
If Bluetooth speakers and headphones are not working optimally, it is often due to the Bluetooth settings. We'll show you how to customize them.
It drove me insane: It doesn't matter which one Loudspeakers ich via bluetooth connected to the Macbook: The sound stuttered, it crackled and cracked and the connection constantly broke. On top of that, the mouse and Bluetooth audio device bothered each other massively: As soon as the audio stream was running, the mouse stuttered – or the mouse movement made the speaker stutter. Luckily there's a solution for that too.
MacOS is to blame for problems with Bluetooth audio!
A bug in Apple's Mac OS X operating system is the cause of the Bluetooth problems - regardless of whether it's via SBC, AAC or aptX and how close the box is to the Macbook. You can easily check this by connecting the Bluetooth box to an iPhone, a Windows PC or another non-OS X device: it usually works flawlessly here. A value in the system file com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent since Yosemite is to blame for the problem under OS X: Here the values for the minimum bit rate to be negotiated between Mac and Bluetooth devices are too low, which some end devices - in my case next to the Bluetooth speaker even the mouse – brings it to its knees.
The bit rate here is set to “2” by default, which is just way too low. The solution is increase the bitrate a bit. Do this in a terminal window following lines (just copy & paste everything) one:
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Max (editable)" 58
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" 48
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Initial Bitpool (editable)" 40
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Negotiated Bitpool" 58
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Negotiated Bitpool Max" 58
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Negotiated Bitpool Min" 48
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Stream – Max Outstanding Packets (editable)" 15
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Stream – Flush Ring on Packet Drop (editable)" 30
After a restart it works
You should then restart the computer. Don't be surprised: It may be that the connection to the Magic Mouse now takes a few seconds after a restart, at least that's how it was for me. The values at the end of each line are the bit rate. By the way, you can also play around with higher values with “Apple Bitpool Min (editable)”. However, if these become too high, the connection may become unstable again. The audio issues should be gone though.
Reset Bluetooth module on Mac
If none of that works, or if the tip even makes things worse, that's no problem: simply reset your Mac's Bluetooth module. To do this, hold down the (Shift)+(Option) key and click on the Bluetooth symbol in the menu bar, select "Debug" and then "Reset Bluetooth module". Confirm this in the following window with "OK". This does not affect the connection with the mouse and keyboard, but it may affect other devices. The Bluetooth module is then back in the operating mode intended by the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the change in the terminal did not work. The U Boom is not detected by Bluetooth. I have a MacBook Pro air m2. ideas?
Have you reset the speaker? Just an idea…
The above values were set for me. The values up https://gdgts.de/mac-os-x-bluetooth-audioausgabe-verbessern/ then brought the improvement and the spook is over. Mojave and soundblaster roar
Sounds like a cool tip! I don't have the problem on my Mac (xxx), but I do have it on my work PC. Is there a similar tip? I would be super grateful for any help!
Great!!! Thanks, even worked without rebooting. :-) ❤️
Works great, thank you!
Christian Rentrop, I have exactly the problem described with my iPhone SE. How can I edit the minimum bit rate here?
Awesome tip!
I've been working on the Mac for 20 years and I've only just discovered the advanced features of the Bluetooth menu.
Thank you!
Dear Kay (or who else can help me),
can you tell me how to open the terminal window and then enter the appropriate commands? As I said, I'm a computer layman.
Thanks and greetings
Hello Harry,
You can open the terminal on the Mac, for example, using the Spotlight search: Press "CMD + spacebar", enter "terminal" in the search window and click on the result.
Alternatively, you can also find the terminal in the "Programs" folder, for example via the icon in the Dock or in the Finder. In the Applications folder there is a subfolder "Utilities" which you can use to open the terminal :)
Dear Christian Rentrop,
I would love to follow your advice as my JBL Flip 4 keeps dropping out when I connect it to my MacBook (High Sierra).
But since I'm illiterate in the computer world, I fail because I don't know where to find a terminal window. can you show me the way please And do I understand correctly that when I find this, copy all the commands into it at once, not one by one?
Thanks and greetings
Harry B. Knots
hey ! Thank you for this detailed information.
Thanks to you, I can now use a Microsoft 2009 mouse and an AKG Y3600 headset on my Mac mini from early 500 using an ASUS Bluetooth 4 dongle.
Perfect, I would like information and help.
Thank you again :-)
Greeting: Carsten
Thanks, nothing works now. Before that it lasted at least 10 minutes, now the connection knocks me out after 10 seconds.
OK, of course that's stupid. Try resetting the Bluetooth module and see if it works (note at the end of the article)
The amount is old, but I just found it by accident and I'm having problems with the Bose mini II Soundlink speaker with Catalina. For example, once connected to Mac mini 2018 via Bluetooth, no video went from YouTube. Soundlink disconnected, video played great again. I've just entered your input and yes: It's finally working. Thank you for your tutorial. :)
Hallo,
I have a MacBook Pro late 2013 with Catalina. I get the error: Domain com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent does not exist. What can I do? I would be very happy about support.
Hmmm... please enter "defaults read com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent" in the terminal. Maybe you have a typo or a typo somewhere?
The system file should actually be there because... Bluetooth audio agent ;)
Hi! I also have Catalina on me and I get these two error messages:
Domain com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent does not exist
-bash: com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent: command not found
Is there another alternative? SA
wow thank you!!!!! The problem only occurred to me recently, since the macOS Catalina update, but it worked. The problem is finally fixed, I was afraid my Mac was about to give up the ghost and these are the first signs of it..
So strong! Finally! It was so annoying for so long and now it's over.
Hallo,
I read in another forum that I should delete the mentioned service file. Now it's gone, how do I get back to the file to change the bitrate in there?
Thank you!
Greetings Max
Hi Christian,
I have an iMac with the operating system macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6, I watch TV via EyeTV on the Mac TV with channels in HD or non-HD. The jerky happens only with channels with HD. All TV channels without HD and all videos are transmitted flawlessly via my Bluetooth speaker Bose Sound Link Mini. I can't find the com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent file in my operating system. Can you give me a tip where these settings can be made for my operating system?
Thanks for the tip!
What I've been looking around on the net ^^
Finally a good audio connection!
If it didn't work for you, you should try resetting the NVRAM. This can be done by holding down CMD+ALT+P+R while booting up the Mac until the startup sound sounds the second time. The computer then boots up normally again. NVRAM stores persistent things like time zone, screen resolution, and audio output settings.
Resetting NVRAM does not erase the hard drive.
Thanks for the tip! Fixed my problems with the Bose QC25 and my MacMini!
Thank you!
Hi,
it only works temporarily for me.
next time it will be the same as before. is there a permanent solution?
Thank you thank you thank you!
Great thank you !!
Very nice, thank you for this simple tip. Let's see if the Bluetooth keyboard from the third-party manufacturer has fewer "hangs".
In any case, thanks for your efforts!
Great, worked, thanks
That's great! :D
Unfortunately, I also have the same problem with my Macbook Air Early 2015. The solution helped under Mac OSX, but I sometimes have to work with Windows and the problem still exists there.
Is there a solution for this? I would appreciate an answer.
Thank you so much.
I have a JBL Charge 2 and the iPhone doesn't work without problems with the Macbook.
I've been looking for a solution to the problem for ages.
Thanks alot
That worked really well.
But I have the audio problem permanently with the Apple TV 2 and 3. It doesn't matter whether it's LAN or WLAN, you can't play music with it. Are there such cache settings for this too?
Thanks George
Unfortunately, no. You may want to remove the wireless router and cell phones/cellular phones from the vicinity of the box and AppleTV. Bluetooth is very vulnerable.
AT LAST!!!!! Thank you very much for the tip. After years, finally stutter-free music from the MBP :-)
Thanks for the info, unfortunately it doesn't help me.
BT Keyboard (Logitech K380) – OK – Always
BT Mouse (Logitech MX Master) – ?? – OK without headphones – Only makes probs after standby
BT Headphone (Beats X) – ?? – OK without mouse – With mouse – sound comes but mouse often hacks.
I tried to hack the command from your screenshot into the terminal but get back:
2017-03-31 11:05:21.927 defaults[1093:394941]
Domain com.Apple.BluetoothAudioAgent does not exist
So I installed the latest macOS 10.12.4. What can I do? Apple support didn't really cover themselves with glory either and they said they can't help me ;(
The Geruppel seems to have something to do with interference with you. Try setting the settings back to standard and, if necessary, moving the router further away. Are there many WLANs in your house? Are you using Time Machine over WiFi?
Hi Christian,
Thank you for your answer. It has nothing to do with wifi interference. I've already sat down from the office in the living room as a test and I've also tried it there where there is no wifi - same problem.
I had meanwhile also called apple 1,5 and tried everything possible - without success. I then went and bought a new bt mouse to rule out that it was my MX Master. But here, too, as soon as the beats connect, it's vinegar with the mouse.
the only option i have left is to use the trackpad from the macbook. But that's pretty stupid that the macbook is in the top left corner of my desk and I would have to operate it with my left hand (which is pretty modest as a right-hander)
during the test with the second bt mouse it also occurred to me that i didn't have the problems with external bt boxes (teufl bt bamster). everything runs without any problems at the same time, no jerks, etc.
So I come to the conclusion that it can actually only be because of the beats.
on monday or tuesday the apple employee wanted to contact me again so i'll go through it with him again. I hope that he still has a brilliant idea.
i love being apple beta tester ;(
Thanks, it's working now.
Perfect! Thanks for your support. I wouldn't have been able to do that myself.
Great tip, the values stopped the stuttering for me.
Really great
great, now it doesn't work at all. was really very helpful... now it stutters even more than before.
You have to play around with the values.
what does playing around mean in this case?
hey I came across the post by accident. It works! FINALLY the stuttering is gone!
Thank you
That only worked for me for a short time. The only permanent remedy was an audio stick with its own Bluetooth interface. Then you also have aptX guaranteed. If you hold down the option key and select an audio device under Bluetooth in the status bar, details about the connection are displayed. That's often just SBC...
look here:
I have exactly the same problem, unfortunately I can't find the bluetoothaudioagent - and my mouse also stutters regularly.
Is there a fix for this problem? :)
Damn, I didn't expect that. I have the same problem with brand new B&W P5wireless. As long as no keyboard + mouse are paired via bluetooth, the sound transmission is as expected.
Now I've ordered a DBPOWER Bluetooth 4.0 Music Receiver Transmitter and now I have to read this post...
Well, with this trick every BT box works, so it doesn't matter what you have :)