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This guide will walk you through the steps to connect a wireless mouse to your computer. There are two types of wireless mice: Bluetooth, which connects directly to the computer using its Bluetooth receiver, and RF wireless, which connects through a USB receiver plugged into your computer.
Steps
Connect the Mouse to the Wireless Receiver
Insert the receiver into your computer. The receiver must fit into the USB port of your computer. You will find rectangular USB ports located on either side of your laptop and in the front of a desktop computer’s CPU.
- Connecting the receiver before turning on the mouse allows your computer to install the necessary drivers or software to use the mouse.
Make sure the mouse has batteries or is charged. To check this, simply open the cover at the bottom of the mouse, but some mice have batteries located in a compartment at the back of the device.
- If you haven’t used the mouse for several months, it's recommended to replace the batteries even if they seem new.
- Some mice, like the Apple Magic Mouse 2, require charging instead of using batteries.
Turn on the mouse. This involves flipping the switch at the bottom of the mouse, though you may also find an On/Off slider on the side of the device.
- If you can't find the On/Off switch, refer to the mouse's user manual.
Press the "Connect" button on the mouse. The location of this button varies by manufacturer, but it's usually found between the mouse buttons or on the side of the device.
- Some mice are "plug and play," meaning you don't need to manually connect them or install any software.
Move the mouse to check the connection. If the cursor starts moving on the screen, it means your mouse is connected.
- If the mouse doesn’t move, try turning it off and on again. If possible, try changing the USB port where the receiver is plugged in.
Connecting a Bluetooth Mouse on Windows 10
Turn on the mouse. To do this, locate the "On/Off" slider, usually found on the bottom of the mouse, and slide it to the "On" position.
- If your mouse uses batteries, make sure the batteries are fresh. The battery compartment is typically located on the underside of the mouse.
⊞ Win
Click on the Devices option next to the keyboard and iPod-like icon. This is the second option in the Windows Settings menu.
Click on the Bluetooth & other devices option. This is the first option on the sidebar of the page.
- If the slider is blue, Bluetooth is enabled.
Click on the + Add Bluetooth or other device (Add Bluetooth or another device). This is the first button at the top of the "Bluetooth & Other Devices" menu. After clicking it, you will see the "Add a device" window.
Bluetooth
Press and hold the 'Pairing' button on the mouse. Most Bluetooth mice have a pairing button that needs to be pressed and held for a second to allow the mouse to be detected by Bluetooth. Usually, a light will illuminate when the mouse is in pairing mode.
- Check the user manual to see if your mouse has a pairing button and its location.
Find the mouse's name. Once Windows detects the Bluetooth mouse, its name will appear in the list of devices in the "Add a device" window.
- If the mouse doesn't show up, press and hold the pairing button on the mouse again. Next, turn Bluetooth off on your computer and turn it back on.
Click on the mouse's name. This action will add the mouse to the list of devices on your computer, and from now on, you can use the mouse without needing to pair it again.
Connecting a Bluetooth Mouse on a Mac
Turn on the mouse. To do this, locate the "On/Off" slider, usually found on the bottom of the mouse, and slide it to the "On" position.
- If your mouse uses batteries, make sure they have been replaced. The battery compartment is typically located on the underside of the mouse.
- If you see the Bluetooth icon at the top-right corner of the menu, simply click on it.
Click on System Preferences at the top of the selection list.
Bluetooth
Click on Turn Bluetooth On on the left side of the window to enable Bluetooth on your Mac.
- Alternatively, you can click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of the menu and select Turn Bluetooth On from the Bluetooth menu.
Press and hold the 'Pairing' button on the mouse. Most Bluetooth mice have a pairing button that you need to press and hold for a second to make the mouse discoverable via Bluetooth. Typically, a light will turn on when the mouse is in pairing mode.
- Refer to the user manual to check if your mouse has a pairing button and to locate its position.
Wait for the mouse name to appear. Your Mac continuously scans for nearby Bluetooth devices. Once it finds a device, its name will appear in the device list in the Bluetooth window.
- For the 'Magic Mouse 2', it must be powered on and connected to your Mac via the USB Lightning charging cable for pairing.
Click on Connect next to the mouse's name. When the mouse appears in the Bluetooth device list, click Connect next to its name to pair with the mouse. Once the connection is complete, your mouse is ready to use.
Connecting a Bluetooth Mouse on a Chromebook
Turn on the mouse. To do this, locate the "On/Off" slider, usually found on the underside of the mouse, and slide it to the "On" position.
- If your mouse uses batteries, make sure they are replaced. The battery compartment is typically located on the underside of the mouse.
Click on the time in the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook screen
Bluetooth
Click on Enable Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is not enabled, click Enable Bluetooth at the top of the menu. This will turn on Bluetooth and initiate the scanning process for nearby Bluetooth devices.
Press and hold the 'Pairing' button on the mouse. Most Bluetooth mice have a pairing button that you need to press and hold for a second to make the mouse discoverable via Bluetooth. Typically, a light will turn on when the mouse is in pairing mode.
- Consult the user manual to determine if your mouse has a pairing button and to find its location.
Click on the name of the mouse in the Bluetooth menu. This will pair your Chromebook with the mouse. Once the connection is complete, your Bluetooth mouse will be ready to use.
Connecting a Bluetooth Mouse on a Windows 7 Computer
Turn on the mouse. To do this, locate the "On/Off" slider, which is usually found on the bottom of the mouse, and slide it to the "On" position.
- If your mouse uses batteries, make sure they are fresh. The battery compartment is typically located underneath the mouse.
Open the Start menu. You can do this by clicking on the Windows icon at the bottom-left corner of your screen or by pressing the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Click on the Devices and Printers option on the right side of the Start window, directly below the Control Panel option.
- If you can't find this option, type devices and printers into the "Search" box at the bottom of the Start window, and click on Devices and Printers when it appears on the screen.
Click on the Add a device button in the top-left corner of the Devices and Printers window.
Press and hold the 'Pairing' button on the mouse. Most Bluetooth mice have a pairing button that you need to press and hold for a second for the mouse to be discovered via Bluetooth. Usually, a light will illuminate when the mouse is in pairing mode.
- Check the user manual to confirm if your mouse has a pairing button and to locate it.
Click on the name of the mouse that appears in this window.
- If you can't find the mouse's name, your Windows 7 computer may not support Bluetooth. You can resolve this by purchasing a Bluetooth adapter.
Click on the Next button at the bottom-right corner of the window.
Wait for the mouse to complete the connection process. This may take a few minutes. Once finished, you will be able to move the cursor on the screen by moving the mouse.
Tips
- You will see a blinking light when the mouse is in 'pairing' mode.
- Ensure you regularly change the mouse's batteries, or charge it when not in use.
Warnings
- Always turn off the mouse and Bluetooth on your computer after use.
