How to Connect Mouse Via Bluetooth

If you can’t pair your mouse, chances are another nearby device is causing wireless interference. This could be a Bluetooth keyboard or other external device.

Open the settings for your mouse to find out if this is the case. You can also enter device discovery mode via the Bluetoothctl command (scan on) and try pairing the MAC address of your mouse.

Getting Started How to Connect Mouse Via Bluetooth:

Getting started with a Bluetooth mouse (or a Bluetooth keyboard, if you have one) is relatively easy.

Plug the device’s wireless receiver into a USB port on your computer. (If the mouse comes with a battery compartment, make sure you have a fresh set of batteries in it.) Then, enable the mouse’s Bluetooth discovery feature.

On my Bluetooth-enabled Logitech Basilisk X Hyperspeed mouse, for example, a switch on the bottom turns the device on and enables Bluetooth discovery.

You may find a similar button on the bottom of your mouse or keyboard, though the location of this button varies by device.

Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen to display the menu, then click System Preferences. In the System Preferences window, click the Bluetooth option.

If applicable, turn on the mouse’s Bluetooth connection by pressing its pairing button. This is typically located between the mouse buttons or on the back of the mouse.

Pairing:

If you’re unable to get your Bluetooth mouse to connect, first make sure it’s on and has fresh batteries.

Also, ensure the device isn’t switched into Airplane mode—this can cause problems unless you turn it off manually.

Consult your user manual to find out if the mouse has a pairing button and where it’s located. You’ll usually have to press and hold it for a few seconds to make the mouse discoverable via Bluetooth. Some devices have a light that blinks to indicate that they’re in pairing mode.

The next step is to open the Bluetooth panel on your Mac or Windows computer. In Mac OS X, this is a menu item under System Preferences.

If your mouse shows up in the Bluetooth panel, click Connect. In Windows, you can select your mouse from the list of available devices and then click Finish Setup.

If you’re prompted to enter a PIN, enter the code (typically 0000, 1111, or 1234) and then click Connect.

Connecting to a Computer:

A Bluetooth mouse connects to the computer via a tiny receiver. The receiver can either be built into the mouse or connected to it via USB. Bluetooth mice are more expensive than wired mice but offer the advantage of wireless use.

Before you can connect a Bluetooth mouse, it needs to be in pairing mode. Most of the time this means pressing and holding the pair button on the mouse.

Then, open your Mac’s Settings app (or the Apple menu if you’re using a MacBook). Click System Preferences, then select the Bluetooth option. If Bluetooth isn’t already enabled, click Turn Bluetooth On.

Some users find that a Bluetooth mouse can only hold three paired devices in its memory at one time, so after you connect it to the third device it may fail to re-establish a connection with your Mac. If this happens, you can try restarting your Mac or clearing the mouse’s pairing list.

Troubleshooting:

Many laptop computers and some desktop computers include a built-in Bluetooth transmitter and receiver; the mouse and keyboard use this transceiver to connect with the computer. In other cases, the mouse or keyboard includes a small USB transceiver that serves as the receiver.

If the Bluetooth mouse has trouble connecting, it may be a hardware or software problem. The Bluetooth device manager might need to be updated or reinstalled.

Other troubleshooting steps might involve disabling power management on the Bluetooth adapter, re-enumerating the mouse, or changing its position.

The lag could be caused by a virus, which should be removed using a reliable antivirus utility. It’s also possible that another nearby wireless device is causing interference, a common issue for Bluetooth devices.

In that case, the solution is to move the mouse closer to the computer. Windows has an in-built troubleshooter for Bluetooth that might help fix the problem.

It’s accessible by pressing the Windows logo key and I together and selecting Update & security > Troubleshoot.