Pairing JBL Bluetooth headset to 2011 iMac

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Hi,

I have a 2011 iMac running High Sierra. I bought a JBL Bluetooth headset and am trying to pair it to my iMac.
I go to System Preferences/Bluetooth. Bluetooth is turned ON but there is no +sign to add a device.
What do I need to do to get this headset paired with my iMac?

Thanks, Colleen
 

chscag

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Is your JBL Bluetooth headset fully charged and turned on? If so, your iMac should see it and offer to connect.

One note here.... make sure your JBL Bluetooth headset is compatible with your iMac and you have no other headsets currently paired to it.

Also, try turning off the WiFi signal to your iMac to see if the headset will pair. If it pairs with WiFi turned off, you can then turn the WiFi back on.
 
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I believe it is fully charged as the light went out.
I have no idea how to determine if it is compatible with my computer. There is no information about that on the box or inside.
I have never paired any other Bluetooth devices to this computer.
I turned off the WiFi and nothing changed.
There is no + sign in the Bluetooth window to add a device.
The on/off button has no light to indicate whether the set is on or off, but nothing changes when I press the button either way.
I am ready to take the headset back. There is absolutely no information provided with it about getting it paired with my iMac.
Colleen
 

chscag

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That sounds odd. I recently purchased an inexpensive Bluetooth headset for my wife and it was immediately recognized and connected. The inexpensive headset had a small button when pressed invoked a voice that guided the pairing.

You won't see a plus sign in the Bluetooth window. However, you should see the name of the headset with a small arrow on the right.... "JBL Headset ->" Pressing the arrow will show the word "connect". Then all you would need to do is press "connect" to pair.

If none of that is happening, you might want to consider taking it back.

There is also a possibility that Bluetooth is not working right on your iMac.
 
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I guess I will take this back and get a cheaper one! If that doesn't work, do I have to take my unit into a shop to get the Bluetooth fixed?

Thanks much, chscag!
Colleen
 

chscag

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We can help you with finding out if Bluetooth is working on your iMac. If by chance it's not, it will not be worth the expense of getting it repaired. Replacing the Bluetooth board is a major job and will wind up costing you quite a bit for labor. There are headsets that do not rely on Bluetooth but are wireless. You can always buy something like that rather than depend on Bluetooth.

Let us know.
 
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I think that's what I will do. Thank you so much for your help. For someone like me, I would just be endlessly frustrated without this kind of help.

Colleen

- - - Updated - - -

How much hassle is it to troubleshoot the Bluetooth?
Colleen
 

chscag

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It's not difficult to find out if it's working or not. We can show you how to determine if it's at least recognized by the system. Anything other than that will require a working Bluetooth device such as an Apple Magic Keyboard or Magic Mouse.
 
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Is is a JBL Flip headset? If so this may help:
Just turn the Flip 3 device on, make sure the Bluetooth is turned on for your MBP, then in the Bluetooth dropdown menu go to Bluetooth preferences. Now with the blue lit up power button on the Flip 3 if it's facing towards you, to the right there are three black buttons along the speaker mesh, press down the one with the Bluetooth symbol on it. Now it should pair...
 

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