The basic steps to connect a Logitech wireless keyboard
A Logitech wireless keyboard connects to your computer through a small receiver that plugs into a USB port, or through Bluetooth if your keyboard and computer both support it. Most Logitech wireless keyboards ship with a USB receiver already paired to the keyboard — you just plug it in and the keyboard works. If you are setting up a keyboard for the first time, or reconnecting one after it has been unpaired, the process takes about five minutes and requires no software installation on most computers.
The exact steps depend on whether your keyboard uses a USB receiver or Bluetooth. USB receiver keyboards are the most common and the easiest to set up. Bluetooth keyboards give you one fewer cable to manage but require your computer to have Bluetooth built in.
Key Takeaways
- USB receiver keyboards plug into any USB port and work when ready on Windows, Mac, and Linux without needing software or pairing steps.
- Bluetooth keyboards require you to hold the Connect button on the keyboard for three seconds, then select it from your computer's Bluetooth settings.
- If your keyboard does not respond after plugging in the receiver, check that batteries are installed and the keyboard is turned on.
- Logitech keyboards can usually pair with multiple devices, but only one at a time — switching between them requires pressing the Connect button again.
Connecting a USB receiver keyboard
Find the small USB receiver that came with your keyboard. It is usually a flat, rectangular dongle about the size of a lighter. Plug it into any available USB port on your computer — the back of a desktop tower, the side of a laptop, or a USB hub all work equally well. Windows, Mac, and Linux recognize the receiver automatically and install any needed drivers in the background.
Turn on the keyboard if it has a power switch, usually on the back or bottom. Install fresh batteries if the keyboard is not responding — most Logitech wireless keyboards use two AA or AAA batteries. The keyboard should begin working within a few seconds of the receiver being plugged in. If it does not, unplug the receiver, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in.
You do not need to read software or create an account to use the keyboard. If you want to customize keys or set up special functions, Logitech offers a free program called Logitech Options+ that you can read from their website, but it is optional.
Connecting a Bluetooth keyboard
Bluetooth keyboards do not come with a receiver. Instead, they pair directly with your computer's built-in Bluetooth radio. Before you start, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your computer's settings. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, and check that Bluetooth is on. On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and make sure it is enabled.
Hold down the Connect button on the back or bottom of the keyboard for three seconds until you see a light blink or hear a tone. The keyboard enters pairing mode and will appear in your computer's list of available Bluetooth devices. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and select the keyboard from the list. On Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth and click Connect next to the keyboard name.
Once paired, the keyboard will reconnect automatically when you turn it on and your computer's Bluetooth is active. If the keyboard does not appear in the Bluetooth list, try holding the Connect button for five seconds instead of three, or check that the keyboard has fresh batteries.
What to do if the keyboard does not work after connecting
The most common reason a newly connected keyboard does not work is dead or missing batteries. Open the battery compartment on the back or bottom of the keyboard and check that two fresh batteries are installed in the correct direction — the + and − symbols inside the compartment show which way they go. Replace them if they look old or corroded.
If the keyboard still does not respond, try unplugging the USB receiver (or forgetting the Bluetooth connection) and plugging it back in after ten seconds. This resets the connection. On a Bluetooth keyboard, you may need to hold the Connect button for five to ten seconds to force a reconnection.
If you have multiple Logitech keyboards or mice, make sure you are not trying to use two at once. Logitech receivers can only connect to one keyboard at a time. If you switched keyboards, unplug the old receiver and plug in the new one, or press the Connect button on the keyboard you want to use.
Pairing a keyboard with a different computer
A USB receiver keyboard can be unplugged from one computer and plugged into another with no setup needed — it will work when ready on the new computer. If you want to use the same keyboard with multiple computers at the same time, you will need a separate receiver for each computer, or you will need to unplug and replug the receiver each time you switch.
Bluetooth keyboards can pair with multiple computers, but only one at a time. To switch the keyboard to a different computer, hold the Connect button for three seconds on the keyboard, then pair it with the new computer through that computer's Bluetooth settings. The keyboard will forget the old pairing and connect to the new one.
Understanding USB receivers versus Bluetooth
A USB receiver is a small wireless transmitter that plugs into your computer and talks to the keyboard. It works on any computer with a USB port, including older machines that do not have Bluetooth. The receiver stays plugged in and the keyboard connects to it automatically. The downside is one more cable or USB port in use.
Bluetooth is a wireless standard built into most modern computers, phones, and tablets. A Bluetooth keyboard does not need a receiver — it connects directly to your computer's Bluetooth radio. This saves a USB port and a cable, but your computer must have Bluetooth built in. Bluetooth keyboards also work with phones and tablets, while USB receiver keyboards do not.
Logitech makes both types. If your keyboard came with a small receiver, it is a USB receiver keyboard. If it did not come with a receiver and your computer has Bluetooth, it is a Bluetooth keyboard. Check the box or the Logitech website if you are not sure which type you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Logitech keyboard receiver on a different Logitech keyboard?
Usually not. Most Logitech receivers are paired to a specific keyboard at the factory and will not work with a different keyboard. If you have lost the receiver for a keyboard, you can buy a replacement from Logitech, but it will need to be paired to your keyboard — this requires either contacting Logitech support or using a pairing tool if your keyboard model supports it.
Why does my keyboard work sometimes but not other times?
The most common cause is weak batteries. Logitech keyboards usually warn you with a light or sound when batteries are low, but the warning can be straightforward to miss. Replace the batteries and see if the problem stops. If the keyboard works fine for a while and then stops responding, batteries are almost certainly the issue.
Do I need to install drivers for a Logitech wireless keyboard?
No. Windows, Mac, and Linux all recognize Logitech USB receiver keyboards and Bluetooth keyboards without any driver installation. The keyboard will work as soon as you plug in the receiver or pair it. Logitech Options+ is optional software that lets you reprogram keys, but the keyboard functions without it.
Can I connect a Logitech keyboard to my phone or tablet?
Bluetooth Logitech keyboards can pair with phones and tablets the same way they pair with computers — hold the Connect button and select the keyboard from the Bluetooth settings. USB receiver keyboards cannot connect to phones or tablets because they do not have USB ports.
What if my computer does not have Bluetooth?
You can only use a USB receiver keyboard. If you want to use a Bluetooth keyboard, you can buy a small USB Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your computer and adds Bluetooth capability, but a USB receiver keyboard is simpler and cheaper.