Late 2014 Mini Keeps Dropping Bluetooth

[Hrothgar]

Ever since the Catalina update, my Mini is dropping my bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I've tried a bunch of fixes I've seen on the Internets (forgetting the device and re-pairing, etc.). They may work for a few weeks, but then it happens again. When the mouse cuts out, there's nothing I can do except restart the computer. It's very annoying. I've got a logitech keyboard and mouse. Although I also have a Magic Mouse and the same thing happens.

Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Catalina really slowed down my computer.

 

[chrfr]

Ever since the Catalina update, my Mini is dropping my bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I've tried a bunch of fixes I've seen on the Internets (forgetting the device and re-pairing, etc.). They may work for a few weeks, but then it happens again. When the mouse cuts out, there's nothing I can do except restart the computer. It's very annoying. I've got a logitech keyboard and mouse. Although I also have a Magic Mouse and the same thing happens.

Any suggestions for how to fix this?

Catalina really slowed down my computer.

Do you have a USB 3.0 device attached to your computer? Those often cause interference with Bluetooth devices. If you do have one, try repositioning the USB device.

 

[Scorned]

I had that happening to mine. I reset the P-Ram and it fixed it.

Also CHRFR also had a good observation- USB 3 devices drawing a lot of I/O, slows down the USB- even a USB mouse- shouldn't affect BT.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

 

[chrfr]

I had that happening to mine. I reset the P-Ram and it fixed it.

Also CHRFR also had a good observation- USB 3 devices drawing a lot of I/O, slows down the USB- even a USB mouse- shouldn't affect BT.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

The Bluetooth/USB 3 issues aren’t a matter of bandwidth but rather simply radio interference. Cables and devices which are inadequately shielded effectively “jam” the Bluetooth radio signal.

 

[Fishrrman]

Best "solution":
Don't use bluetooth to connect to mice and keyboards.
That's intended to be a serious answer.

Use a wired keyboard.
For a wireless mouse, the best solution is a Logitech wireless mouse using their "unified receiver" by which to connect (NOT bluetooth).

 

[Scorned]

The Bluetooth/USB 3 issues aren’t a matter of bandwidth but rather simply radio interference. Cables and devices which are inadequately shielded effectively “jam” the Bluetooth radio signal.

I kind of went into two directions in that one.

Resetting the PRAM solved my BlueTooth issues.

The USB 3 issue is separate but does affect USB in a slow/glitchy way.

 

[Hrothgar]

Can I do the PRAM reset if I have a bluetooth keyboard? Or do I need to find a usb keyboard?