MacBook Neo Troubleshooting Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Issues

Note: This procedure is intended for MacBook Neo only.

Identify issues

Read the relevant support articles if you notice any of the following issues:

  • Bluetooth service is unavailable

  • Bluetooth setting won’t turn on

  • Can’t pair the computer with a Bluetooth accessory

  • The computer intermittently loses connection with a paired Bluetooth accessory

  • Data transfer using a Bluetooth accessory times out or is slow

  • Wi-Fi service isn’t available

  • Can’t turn on Wi-Fi

  • Can’t connect the computer to a Wi-Fi network

  • Wi-Fi connection is intermittently lost

  • Wi-Fi signal is poor

Relevant support articles

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.

Try quick troubleshooting steps

  1. Inspect the computer for liquid damage. Contact with liquid can short internal circuits and cause the computer to malfunction.

  2. Restart the Mac.

  3. Ensure that the date and time are set correctly on the Mac.

  4. For Wi-Fi issues:

    1. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi and verify that you can turn Wi-Fi off and on again. Retest for the original issue.

    2. Follow steps in Reset or remove Wi-Fi network settings on Mac.

    3. Check Wi-Fi signal strength. If it's low, move closer to Wi-Fi router or hotspot.

  5. For Bluetooth issues:

    1. Go to System Settings > Bluetooth and verify that you can turn Bluetooth off and on again. Retest for the original issue.

    2. Follow steps in Connect a Bluetooth device with your Mac to remove and pair the device again.

    3. Remember that Bluetooth has a very limited range and won't operate at longer distances.

  6. If you can connect to the internet from a different Wi-Fi network or when using a wired Ethernet connection, connect to that network. Then update macOS on the Mac. Refer to Connect to the internet with your Mac for more information.

Run manual and diagnostic tests

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or trying the quick troubleshooting steps, run these manual and diagnostic tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:

  1. Attempt to start up the computer in diagnostics mode, if possible.

  2. Attempt to join a Wi-Fi network while the Mac is in diagnostics mode. If Wi-Fi works in diagnostics mode, then the issue is likely software or macOS-related, and the computer may not need hardware repair. If Wi-Fi doesn't work in diagnostics mode, then the issue is likely hardware-related and you should continue to the next step.

  3. Run the Mac Resource Inspector (MRI) diagnostic suite. Check diagnostic results for the presence of wireless hardware.

    • Note: If you can't connect the computer to the internet with Wi-Fi, use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter and an Ethernet cable to connect the computer to the internet. Run diagnostic tests with a wired connection. An example adapter is the Belkin USB-C to 2.5Gb Ethernet Adapter available on the Apple Store.

Open and inspect the computer

If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the computer’s repair manual to open and inspect the computer. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.

  1. Follow repair manual procedures to remove the bottom case and disconnect the battery from the logic board.

  2. Inspect internal parts and the enclosure for indications of physical or liquid damage, contamination, or burned or darkened areas. Inspect all relevant internal flex cables and connectors for damage or tampering, such as a film or foreign material blocking a connector.

  3. Locate the antenna coaxial cables on the logic board. Unplug and inspect the cables and connectors for any signs of pinched wires or connector damage. Also inspect for logic board pin damage.

  4. Reseat the antenna coaxial cables to the connectors on the logic board.

  5. If the issue is resolved or inspection reveals no issues, complete the reassembly. If diagnostic results or inspection identified a faulty part, continue to the next section. If the issue persists without identifying a specific part, continue to the next section for logic board replacement.

Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.

Replace the part

If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the following parts one at a time in the order shown. After you replace the first part, run the post-repair diagnostics and perform functional testing to determine if replacing a part resolves the issue. If the issue still isn’t resolved, replace the next part.

  • Replace the vent/antenna module, which contains the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas.

  • Replace the logic board.

Repair completion

Depending on the part replaced, Repair Assistant may be available on the device to finish the repair. Learn how to initiate Repair Assistant.

Post-repair verification

Run the following diagnostic suite after the repair:

  • Mac Resource Inspector (MRI) (to test overall functionality)

After the repair is completed, turn on the computer. For Bluetooth, pair with a functioning Bluetooth device and verify that the connection is sustained for several minutes. For Wi-Fi, connect to a functioning wireless network and retest data throughout, checking for adequate transfer speeds. Verify that the wireless connection is sustained for several minutes.

Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.

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