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If your “WiFi mouse” has stopped working, first find out whether it connects through a USB receiver or Bluetooth. Those are different connection methods, so the right fix depends on which one your mouse uses. Then check power, reconnect the receiver or pair the mouse, and test it on another computer if the problem continues.

Identify how the mouse connects

“WiFi mouse” is often an informal name for a wireless mouse; it does not tell you whether the mouse uses Bluetooth or a USB receiver. Look for a small receiver plugged into a USB port, or check the mouse’s manual or model support page. If the mouse appears in your computer’s Bluetooth settings, follow the Bluetooth steps below. Dell’s guide distinguishes receiver-based wireless mice from Bluetooth mice, which need to be paired: Dell: Fix wired, wireless, and Bluetooth mouse issues.

Connection type What must be available Where to troubleshoot first
USB receiver The mouse’s receiver must be plugged into a working USB port; many plug-and-play models do not require Bluetooth pairing. The receiver, USB port, and possible wireless interference.
Bluetooth Bluetooth must be enabled, and the mouse must be paired with the intended computer. Bluetooth status and the mouse’s model-specific pairing process.

Check the mouse’s power

Switch the mouse off and back on, then check that any replaceable batteries are installed in the correct orientation. If it still does not respond, use fresh batteries of the size specified on the mouse or in its manual. If it has a rechargeable battery, charge it rather than buying disposable cells. Microsoft and Logitech both list low or incorrectly installed batteries, or insufficient charge, among the basic checks for an unresponsive mouse.

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  • For replaceable batteries, confirm the correct size and positive/negative orientation.
  • For a rechargeable mouse, connect it to power and allow it to charge before testing again.

See Microsoft’s Windows mouse and keyboard troubleshooting guide and Microsoft’s Surface mouse and keyboard guidance.

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If the mouse uses a USB receiver

  1. Check that the receiver is present and firmly inserted into the computer.
  2. Unplug it, wait about 10 seconds, and reconnect it. Microsoft recommends this pause when reconnecting a wireless USB receiver.
  3. Try a different USB port. During diagnosis, connect the receiver directly to the computer rather than through a hub where possible.
  4. Move the receiver closer to the mouse if you can, and test the mouse on a non-metal surface. For the Logitech M280, M320, and M275, Logitech identifies nearby electronics, radio-frequency interference, and metal surfaces as possible causes of connection trouble; these are not confirmed causes for every mouse.

Relevant guidance: Microsoft on wireless receiver problems, Logitech’s model-specific M280, M320, and M275 advice, and Logitech’s connection troubleshooting.

If the mouse uses Bluetooth

  1. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the computer and that the mouse is switched on.
  2. Open the computer’s Bluetooth settings and check whether the mouse is paired with that computer.
  3. If it is not connected, follow the pairing instructions for the exact mouse model. Button sequences and timing vary, so do not assume one model’s instructions apply to another.
  4. Remove an old or stale pairing only if the manufacturer’s instructions call for it, then pair again using the documented procedure.

Microsoft gives a 5–7 second pairing-button instruction for applicable Microsoft accessories; that timing is not a general rule for all Bluetooth mice. Dell’s guide explains the distinction between receiver-based wireless connections and Bluetooth pairing: Dell’s mouse troubleshooting guide. For the applicable Microsoft accessory procedure, see Microsoft’s Surface mouse and keyboard guidance.

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Test whether the fault is the mouse or the computer

If power, connection, and pairing checks do not help, try the mouse on another computer if one is available. If it works there, focus on the original computer’s USB port or Bluetooth connection, then consult that computer’s support guidance for relevant drivers or power settings. If it fails on both computers after the basic checks, contact the mouse manufacturer for model-specific receiver compatibility, hardware-failure, warranty, or replacement advice. Logitech recommends cross-computer testing as a way to help isolate connection problems: Logitech’s connection troubleshooting.

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