How to deactivate bluetooth, Thinkpad X240?

Support & Help Requests
#1

I recently installed Ubuntu 16.04 MATE on my Thinkpad X240. In order to disable the automatic start of bluetooth, I did the following:

Attempt 1: sudo pluma /etc/rc.local, then add the line
rfkill block bluetooth above exit 0. However, when I restarted bluetooth was still activated. So I again edited the file and removed the line I had added.

I later followed the suggestions [here][1], and repeated attempt 1 with adding also
echo disable > /proc/acpi/ibm/bluetooth,
but that didn’t do the trick as well

Attempt 2: Following the description [here (in German)][2], I created a file /lib/systemd/system/disablebluetooth.service with the content:

#########################################################################
#
# disablebluetooth.service
# systemd service: disable bluetooth at start
#
#########################################################################

[Unit]
Description=Disable Bluetooth

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/sbin/rfkill block bluetooth

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

# EOF

and then ran
sudo systemctl enable disablebluetooth.service

This also did not help, bluetooth still automatically started on startup.

So, to undo attempt 2, I ran
sudo systemctl disable disablebluetooth.service
and deleted the file I had created.

So, how can I disable bluetooth?

#2

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#3

Hi @auditorofreality,

also, do you have an on/off switch for Bluetooth in BIOS/on your keyboard?. :smiley:

1 Like
#4

Would that just disable the applet in the top panel, or would it actually also switch off bluetooth on startup?

#5

Good idea, I didn’t check that :slight_smile: Not on my keyboard I believe, but there might be a BIOS option

#6

Just to make sure, but you know Bluetooth is something usually broadcast by your WiFi card?

#7

It would disable the bluetooth applet only. Wolfman is correct in suggesting that you check for a bluetooth control either in your bios or via a keyboard key combination.

#8

Hi, I’ve got an x240 too

there is a bios option to turn off bluetooth, in the security section

security >> I/O port access >> bluetooth

you can also disable your webcam and mike if you’re a bit paranoid like me.

there’s also a keyboard command - Fn-F8, but this doesn’t work in some distros

2 Likes
#9

Thanks, I successfully disabled bluetooth following your suggestions

#10

happy to help :smile_cat: