Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Model A1311 / Mid 2010 / 3.06 & 3.2 GHz Core i3 or 3.6 GHz Core i5 Processor

342 Questions View all

Options

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Not Working After SSD Install

Hi everyone,

recently I installed an SSD unit in my iMac 21,5’ Mid 2010. Unfortunately, even though the SSD is correctly detected by the machine, I’m not able anymore to connect to Wi-Fi or pair Bluetooth devices.

On the Bluetooth icon I get: no Bluetooth available.

For both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, instead, I’m able to connect to networks (which means that the Airport card should be working at least) but I have no connectivity at all.

I already tried SMC and PRAM reset but nothing changed.

Regards

Francesco

Update (01/17/2019)

I’ve finally installed Mac OS on the new SSD drive. Everything is working fine except for Bluetooth.

I also managed to re-open the computer to check if the Bluetooth module was disconnected, but it appeared to be fine. Everything was in place and the plastic tape around the module was not even touched.

I really do not get why I’m not able to use Bluetooth anymore.

Image of the internals:

Block Image

Update (01/17/2019)

Hi. I checked the connections on the logic board as suggested before. Here's some images:

Block Image

https://i.postimg.cc/HLqCQ3QK/IMG-201901...

Block Image

https://i.postimg.cc/FsT5Phy0/IMG-201901...

Block Image

https://i.postimg.cc/d0Tbtdz9/IMG-201901...

Block Image

Everything is connected and seems to be fine.

Update (01/19/2019)

Here I am. Another day is gone and unfortunately my solution is not here.

I really do not know what else to do. Today I’m opening the machine again (for the fifth time) trying to see if everything it’s in place.

Sometime the Bluetooth works (only in recovery mode), but after the OS installation is complete it is not detected anymore by the machine.

Update (01/19/2019)

This is what happens

Video 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k43vyw7...

Video 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M74c0u5V...

When I’m in recovery mode/selection of the boot hard drive, everything works… but then, just after installing the OS, Bluetooth dies.

Please watch the video. It’s clear that it is not an hardware problem, to me.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 1
7 Comments

Clean the blob off the cables in Pic #1 This is likely a patch someone did and thats the failure.

by

Hi Dan.

Unfortunately my issue isn't solved yet.

After removing and cleaning the RAM modules as previously suggested I was able to see Bluetooth again.

Then I decided to install again OS X on top of my new SSD and everything went fine until the first boot when Bluetooth disappeared again.

I don't understand what you're suggesting me to do right now. What should I clean?

by

In your first picture here on the far right wires is a blob of glue covering them clean it off as the wires are broken under neath

by

Yes, take the tape off so you can inspect the connections.

by

Show 2 more comments

Add a comment

2 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

@bacchinif - Some of us need a few zzz’s at night.

You’ll need to check your connections on the logic board side as marked in Red here

Block Image

Either you’ve put the wrong cable onto the connection or the connector is damaged (cable or board) so its not making connection.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

7 Comments:

Hi. Thanks for your prompt response. I'm Italian, which means I'm living in a different time zone. I didn't intend to bother the community, but you may understand that I'm pretty worried for what happened.

Thanks also for the image posted, but it looked like my internal scheme may be a little different. I don't have the Airport Card (the one with the yellow box highlighted) in that position. Could it be?

I followed the Bluetooth replacement guide on iFixit and I thought that the Bluetooth Module was placed in the top left corner of the iMac. Am I right?

At the moment I'm running Apple Hardware Test.

I got an error:

4MEM/9/40000000: 0xb9860918

by

This system has two boards: Bluetooth board and a WiFi board.

As you can see here Finding Hardware Faults: Exploring AHT & Apple Diagnostics the 4MEM error is a memory module failure. Thats a different problem! Did you properly reseat the modules?

by

I didn't touch them. The RAM modules are not giving me any sort of problem at all. I installed more than 5 years 4x4GB of Crucial RAM.

What do you mean by "reseat"? They remained untouched during the SSD Installation procedure.

by

Carefully remove the RAM DIMM's, clean the contacts using a new (soft) pencil eraser going in the same direction as the gold pads one or two rubs then wipe the contacts using 85% or better isopropyl alcohol.

by

Solved my issue! The problem was due to an excess of dust in the ram modules!!!

by

Show 2 more comments

Add a comment

Options

Here I am… Typing from the iMac with the Bluetooth Keyboard turned on. I’m in recovery mode right know, and I’m running that light version of Safari.

The fact that again Bluetooth is working only when I’m in recovery mode/installation process means that it is NOT a hardware problem, but some more specifically connected with lack of drivers or compatibilities when I’m running the OS via SSD Drive.

Could it be? I really do not know what else to think.

The Bluetooth Module isn’t damaged, all the cables are fine and everything works but ONLY when I’m in recovery mode.

Aggiorna (22/01/2019)

Solved my issue! The computer was extremely dirty inside and I cleaned it using an hairdryer on cold.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

1 Comment:

Well the video might be help you out in fixing the issue : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaz8Mf4...

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Francesco will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 7

All Time: 1,004