Troubleshooting a Wireless Mouse That’s Not Working

For many computer users, your mouse is your most frequently-used connection to your system.

In modern day, it’s nearly impossible to get around without a mouse. A lot of users have wireless mice nowadays.

So what do you do when your wireless mouse is not working, or the new mouse you purchased is not being recognized? It’s time to troubleshoot!

Wireless Mouse Troubleshooting

With a wireless mouse not working properly, or not at all, there are several trouble-shooting steps that may resolve your issues very quickly:

• • Battery: A wireless mouse requires batteries to power its communication with your computer, whether it’s using Bluetooth or USB connectivity. Check to be sure the batteries are inserted correctly, and that they’re not simply worn out. Fresh batteries are the cure for many wireless mouse problems.
  • Power switch: Many mouse devices have a switch on the bottom, so that you can turn them off and save your battery when not in use. Make sure that switch is set to ON, and if there is a power LED on the mouse, it should be illuminated.
  • Receiver: A USB mouse will require a small receiver that plugs into an available port on your laptop or desktop computer. Verify it has been installed, to make your mouse ready to use. If the receiver is plugged in, and you’ve tried all other troubleshooting steps, try moving the receiver to a different USB port, if one is available. USB ports can go bad, making them unusable. If it doesn’t have a receiver, it may be a bluetooth mouse – in which case, check your bluetooth settings.
  • Surface: Some mouse units will not work properly on highly reflective surfaces, especially on glass tables. This may call for the use of a mouse pad or another surface that does not interfere with the unit’s operation. This will only fix the problem if the mouse has already been connected.
  • Installation: Many of us bypass reading the instructions that come with our purchases, but that can be a problem with your wireless mouse not working. Some will need to be synched to your computer using a “connect” process. This may be as simple as pressing a button on the receiver or executing some keyboard strokes that activate the connection to your mouse. Sometimes, the mouse will come with a CD, though that driver may be out of date.
  • Software: Did you previously have another manufacturer’s mouse that included proprietary software to control it? There may be conflicts between your new mouse and old software. Try uninstalling any previous mouse-related software, then reinstall your new mouse.

 

• Outdated drivers: If your drivers for the mouse are not installed or out of date, your device may not work properly or may not connect

 

• Try another computer: If your wireless mouse is still not working, try using it on another computer. That will tell you immediately if the problem lies within the computer talking to your mouse, or if the mouse functions properly on another system.

 

If all these troubleshooting steps have not brought your wireless mouse to life, there could be another course of action – checking the driver.

Drivers are the programs residing in your computer that communicate with your devices and the operating system. Drivers are needed to operate every device in your computer – like your mouse!

Without the right driver support for your mouse, your system cannot recognize even your basic scrolling and clicking functions, rendering your device useless or making some functions unavailable.

 

Getting the correct drivers for your computer either locate the manufacturer’s support website or search the internet for the latest drivers for your mouse device, including the operating system you’re using it with. You will need to provide the exact model of mouse, version of the operating system, and often some OS-specific information such as whether you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit system.

 

Finding Drivers the Easy Way

Registering with a reputable service to manage and update your drivers is the most secure, reliable method of ensuring that you have the right driver – and the right version – for your wireless mouse. Not only does this keep your mouse running consistently and support all its features, but this can manage all your other devices as well.

 

Using such a service not only keeps your system running efficiently, but provides additional benefits:

• Provide the right drivers – and versions – for all your devices
• Stop wasting time manually searching for drivers yourself
• Get updates for drivers as soon as manufacturers release them
• Peace of mind with secure downloads from reputable sources
• Expert technical support

DriverSupport has the experience and technical knowledge that will update your system with the most current drivers effortlessly. Give DriverSupport | ONE a try today! today to keep your system running at its peak performance.