The basic steps: receiver, power, and pairing

Most Logitech wireless mice use a small USB receiver (called a dongle) that plugs into your computer. The mouse and receiver communicate on a private frequency, so you do not need to manually pair them the way you would with Bluetooth headphones. In most cases, the mouse arrives already paired to its receiver — you just plug in the receiver, turn on the mouse, and it works.

If the mouse does not respond after you plug in the receiver, the pairing may have been lost during shipping or storage. You can re-pair them in under a minute using the pairing button on the bottom of the mouse and the receiver itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Logitech wireless mice ship pre-paired to their receiver, so plugging in the USB dongle and turning on the mouse is usually all you need.
  • The receiver uses a closed frequency, not Bluetooth, so you cannot pair the mouse with your phone or tablet unless it has Bluetooth capability.
  • If the mouse does not move the cursor after 30 seconds, check that the receiver is fully inserted, the mouse is powered on, and the batteries are not dead.
  • Re-pairing takes less than a minute and requires only the pairing button on the mouse bottom and a few seconds of holding them close together.

Plugging in the receiver and powering on the mouse

Locate the USB receiver in the box with your mouse — it is a small rectangular stick, usually white or black, about the size of a lighter. Insert it fully into any open USB port on your computer. It does not matter which port you use; your computer will recognize it when ready.

Next, locate the power switch on the bottom of the mouse. It is usually a small slider or toggle marked with an on/off symbol. Slide it to the on position. Within a few seconds, the cursor on your screen should respond when you move the mouse. If it does not, move to the troubleshooting section below.

What to do if the mouse does not respond

If the cursor does not move after you turn on the mouse and wait 30 seconds, start with the simplest checks. Make sure the USB receiver is pushed all the way into the port — a loose connection is the most common reason for no response. Then check the bottom of the mouse: if the power switch is in the off position, slide it to on. If the mouse has been sitting unused for months, the batteries may be dead; replace them with fresh AA or AAA batteries (depending on your model) and try again.

If the receiver is seated, the mouse is powered on, and the batteries are fresh, the pairing between the mouse and receiver has likely been lost. This can happen if the receiver was unplugged while the mouse was on, or if the mouse was used with a different receiver. You can re-pair them using the pairing button.

Re-pairing the mouse and receiver

Turn off the mouse using the power switch on the bottom. Locate the pairing button — it is a small recessed button, usually red or marked with a wireless symbol, also on the bottom of the mouse. You may need a paperclip or ballpoint pen to press it because it sits slightly below the surface.

Press and hold the pairing button for three to five seconds until a light on the mouse begins to blink. While the light is blinking, locate the pairing button on the USB receiver itself — it is usually on the side or back, also small and recessed. Press the receiver's pairing button once. The blinking light on the mouse should stop blinking and stay steady, which means pairing is complete. Turn the mouse back on and test the cursor movement.

Logitech mice with Bluetooth instead of a receiver

Some newer Logitech models, particularly the MX series, use Bluetooth instead of a USB receiver. If your mouse came with no receiver in the box, it uses Bluetooth. To connect it, turn on the mouse and then open your computer's Bluetooth settings. On Windows, this is usually in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and other devices. On Mac, it is in System Preferences > Bluetooth. Click "Add Device" or "Pair New Device," then select your Logitech mouse from the list that appears.

Bluetooth mice take a few seconds longer to connect than receiver-based mice, and the connection can occasionally drop if the mouse moves too far from the computer or if other wireless devices interfere. If you experience frequent disconnections, moving the mouse closer to the computer or turning off nearby WiFi devices may help. You can always switch back to a receiver-based Logitech mouse if Bluetooth proves unreliable in your space.

Why the receiver stays plugged in

Unlike pairing a phone to a speaker, which you do once and then the devices remember each other, a Logitech wireless mouse receiver should stay plugged into your computer at all times. The receiver is what allows the mouse to communicate with your computer, so unplugging it will cause the mouse to stop working until you plug it back in. You can safely leave it plugged in permanently — it uses almost no power and takes up minimal space.

If you need to move your computer to a different location or use the mouse with a laptop you carry between places, you can unplug the receiver and take it with you. Just plug it back into the new computer and the mouse will work when ready, since the pairing information is stored on both the mouse and the receiver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use one Logitech receiver with multiple mice?

No. Each receiver is paired to one mouse only. If you have multiple Logitech mice, each one needs its own receiver. You can pair a new mouse to an existing receiver by following the re-pairing steps, but this will unpair the old mouse from that receiver.

Why does my mouse cursor jump around or freeze?

This usually means the receiver is too far from the mouse, the batteries are dying, or the USB port is loose. Move the mouse closer to the receiver, replace the batteries, and reseat the receiver fully in the port. If the problem continues, try plugging the receiver into a different USB port — some ports have weak power.

Can I pair my Logitech mouse with my phone or tablet?

Only if your mouse has Bluetooth. Receiver-based Logitech mice cannot connect to phones or tablets because they use a closed frequency, not Bluetooth. Check your mouse manual or the Logitech website to see if your model supports Bluetooth pairing.

What if I lost the receiver?

You can order a replacement receiver from Logitech's website or from retailers that sell computer accessories. You will need the model number of your mouse, which is usually printed on the bottom. The replacement receiver will pair to your mouse using the same re-pairing steps described above.

Does the receiver work with USB hubs or extension cables?

Yes, but the mouse may respond more slowly or lose connection if the hub or cable is very long. Direct connection to a USB port on the computer itself gives the strongest signal. If you must use a hub, plug the receiver into a powered hub rather than an unpowered one.