MacBook Air unable to connect to bluetooth device

[fragrantsound]

Hi. I commented on another discussion, but I'm posting a new thread because this was an issue before updating to Big Sur. I obviously need to adjust something on my MacBook (version 11.0.1), but I don't know what that is.

I figured out how to pair my Bose soundsport with my iPhone, but I've never been able to connect any Bluetooth device to my MacBook Air.
I bought these headphones because they were suggested for being able to connect with MacBooks. I installed soundflower a long time ago, but it didn't help. I switched from internal to soundflower, but my MacBook still doesn't see the headphones, and the headphones don't see the MacBook.
Thanks in advance for your help with this!
Debbie

 

[fragrantsound]

I thought I should add, bluetooth does work in syncing macjournal and airdrop.

 

[circatee]

To confirm, from the Bluetooth window on the Mac, do you see the icon searching/spinning (top right side of the window)?

And I am sure you have already turned off Bluetooth and back on again...

 

[fragrantsound]

Well it's in the 'devices' bar, but yes. The icon is spinning, and there are no devices in the box below.
I have turned bluetooth (on MacBook and devices) off and on many different times.

 

[OdT22]

Same here with MBP and AirPods. Spent hours gaining and losing pairing today. There’s a glitch in this matrix.

 

[circatee]

Review this, see if this helps at all...

How to Reset Your Mac's Bluetooth Module to Fix Connection Issues

Bluetooth is what your Mac uses to connect to wireless devices like keyboards, mice, trackpads, speakers, and other peripherals. Generally, it's...

www.macrumors.com

 

[fragrantsound]

I did both, but no luck. I'm not sure I want to spend any more time on this, but I appreciate your help.

 

[fragrantsound]

Same here with MBP and AirPods. Spent hours gaining and losing pairing today. There’s a glitch in this matrix.

I think so, and I'm not willing to fall into the black hole. I'll just use my iPhone.

 

[circatee]

A shame. Alas, considering this issue was present prior to the OS upgrade, I am beginning to wonder if this is a hardware issue...

 

[OdT22]

In my case, I was just on with Apple Support (chat) early Sunday morning due to having the static/crackle sound in one AirPod that had started the day before. They were able to help me eliminate the distortion through a series of steps. They seemed to work perfectly after that. I believe the pairing problems with the new M1 MBP have something to do with iPhone interferences. Every time I got a text, Siri would read it to me which would break the pairing with the laptop. I never had that problem when using the iPad and iPhone at the same time. Hopefully it's just a bug that an update will fix. Thanks for helping in any case.