The basic connection process depends on your keyboard type

Logitech makes two kinds of keyboards: ones that connect with a small wireless receiver (called a USB dongle) and ones that pair directly over Bluetooth. The receiver keyboards are simpler — you plug in the dongle and the keyboard usually works when ready. Bluetooth keyboards require you to put the keyboard into pairing mode, then tell your computer to find and remember it, which takes a few extra steps but gives you one fewer cable.

Before you start, check what you have. Look at the back or bottom of your keyboard for either a small USB port (where a dongle plugs in) or a power button with a Bluetooth symbol near it. The dongle keyboards come with a tiny receiver already in the box. Bluetooth keyboards have a pairing button, usually on the bottom or back, sometimes labeled with a Bluetooth icon or the word "Connect".

Key Takeaways

  • Logitech receiver keyboards need only the USB dongle plugged into your computer — no pairing steps required.
  • Bluetooth keyboards need you to hold the pairing button for three to five seconds until a light blinks, then select the keyboard from your computer's Bluetooth settings.
  • If your keyboard does not appear in Bluetooth settings, restart the keyboard's power switch or hold the pairing button longer.
  • Receiver keyboards work the moment the dongle is inserted; Bluetooth keyboards may take 10 to 30 seconds to show up on your computer.

Connecting a Logitech receiver keyboard

Locate the small USB dongle that came in the box with your keyboard. It is usually about the size of a large USB thumb drive and may have the Logitech logo on it. Plug it directly into any open USB port on your computer — a port on the back of a desktop tower, or on the side of a laptop. You do not need to install software first.

Turn on the keyboard using the power switch, usually on the bottom or back. Within a few seconds, the keyboard should respond to key presses. If it does not, try pressing a key — some Logitech keyboards wake up on the first keystroke. If the keyboard still does not work, unplug the dongle, wait five seconds, and plug it back in.

The dongle stays in your computer permanently. You can turn the keyboard off and on as needed without repeating any steps. If you move the keyboard far from your computer (more than 30 feet), the connection may drop, but it will reconnect when you move closer.

Connecting a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard

Turn on the keyboard using the power switch. Then locate the pairing button — it is usually on the bottom, back, or side of the keyboard, and may be labeled with a Bluetooth symbol, the word "Connect", or a small dot. Hold this button down for three to five seconds. You should see a light on the keyboard begin to blink, usually blue or white. This blinking means the keyboard is in pairing mode and searching for your computer.

On your computer, open the Bluetooth settings. On Windows, click the Start menu, type "Bluetooth settings" and open it. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click Bluetooth. On Linux, the location varies by version, but search for "Bluetooth" in your system settings. Your computer will now search for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Wait 10 to 30 seconds. Your Logitech keyboard should appear in the list of available devices, usually with the model name like "Logitech K380" or "Logitech MX Keys". Click on it or select it, then click "Pair" or "Connect". Some keyboards ask you to confirm a pairing code on the keyboard itself — if a number appears on your screen, type it on the keyboard and press Enter.

Once paired, the light on the keyboard should stop blinking and stay on or turn off entirely. The keyboard is now connected and will automatically reconnect each time you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth remains on.

What to do if the keyboard does not appear

If you do not see your keyboard in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, the pairing button may not have been held long enough. Turn the keyboard off completely, wait five seconds, turn it back on, and hold the pairing button for a full five seconds this time. Watch for the blinking light before you move to your computer's settings.

If the keyboard still does not appear, check that Bluetooth is actually turned on in your computer's settings. On Windows, look for a Bluetooth toggle switch in the Bluetooth settings window. On Mac, Bluetooth is on if you see a Bluetooth icon in the top menu bar. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on and try the pairing steps again.

Some Logitech keyboards have a small reset button on the bottom. If pairing fails twice, press and hold this reset button for 10 seconds, then repeat the pairing process from the beginning. Check your keyboard's manual or the Logitech website for the exact location of the reset button on your model.

Connecting multiple computers to one Bluetooth keyboard

Logitech Bluetooth keyboards can remember up to three computers. To add a second computer, put the keyboard into pairing mode again by holding the pairing button for three to five seconds. Go to that computer's Bluetooth settings and select the keyboard. The keyboard will now switch between the two computers, though you may need to manually select which computer to connect to each time you switch.

Some Logitech keyboards have numbered buttons (1, 2, 3) on the bottom that let you switch between paired computers when ready. Press the button for the computer you want to use, and the keyboard will connect to it when ready. Check your keyboard's manual to see if your model has this feature.

Troubleshooting a keyboard that was working but stopped

If your keyboard was connected and working but suddenly stopped responding, first check the battery. Most Logitech keyboards have a low-battery indicator — a light that blinks or changes color. Replace the batteries (usually AA or AAA) or charge the keyboard if it has a rechargeable battery. A keyboard with dead batteries will not respond at all, even if it is still paired.

If the battery is fine, try turning the keyboard off and back on. Wait 10 seconds after turning it off before turning it back on. For Bluetooth keyboards, this often forces a reconnection. For receiver keyboards, this resets the connection to the dongle.

If the keyboard still does not work, check that the dongle (for receiver keyboards) is still plugged in and not loose. Gently push it in to make sure it is fully seated. For Bluetooth keyboards, go back to your computer's Bluetooth settings and look for the keyboard in the list of paired devices. If it is there, click "Forget" or "Remove", then repeat the pairing steps as if it were a new keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install Logitech software to use the keyboard?

No. Both receiver and Bluetooth keyboards work when ready without any software. Logitech software is optional and only needed if you want to customize keys or change settings. The keyboard functions normally without it.

Can I use a Logitech receiver keyboard on a Mac or Linux computer?

Yes. Receiver keyboards work on any computer with a USB port, including Mac and Linux. Bluetooth keyboards also work on Mac and Linux. No special drivers are needed.

What is the range of a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard?

Bluetooth keyboards typically work up to 30 feet from your computer, though walls and other devices can reduce this distance. Receiver keyboards have a similar range. If your keyboard stops responding, move it closer to your computer.

Can I pair a Logitech keyboard to a phone or tablet?

Yes, if it is a Bluetooth keyboard. Follow the same pairing steps on your phone or tablet's Bluetooth settings. Receiver keyboards do not work with phones or tablets because they do not have USB ports.

Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?

Check the battery first — low batteries cause frequent disconnections. If the battery is fine, move the keyboard closer to your computer. For Bluetooth keyboards, other wireless devices nearby can interfere. For receiver keyboards, make sure the dongle is fully plugged in and not loose.