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The best wireless mouse is convenient, comfortable, quick, and reliable. But one area that’s sometimes a pain is the USB dongle. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the dongle, but it’s small. And small things are easy to lose. So if you’re constantly losing things, stick with us as we instruct you what to do when you have lost your mouse USB.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
We also have a great read comparing wireless vs. wired mice. And for the gamers considering switching their control strategy, we have another resource explaining PS2 controller vs USB mouse.
Insider Tip
It’s always helpful to have an extra mouse handy if you encounter connectivity issues or lose the USB dongle.
The USB receiver is the part of the wireless mouse that establishes a signal and connects the mouse to the computer. Without it, in many cases, the mouse won’t work.
There are two different types of wireless connections: Bluetooth and regular wireless.
So, what happens if you set up your workstation and your USB dongle is nowhere in sight? Is all hope lost? Not really, but how to proceed depends on the type of wireless connection you have. Also, we cover all forms of mousey topics. For example, we have a riveting piece on what battery types are used in wireless mice.
If you have a Bluetooth mouse and your computer also supports Bluetooth connectivity, you can ditch the dongle and connect your mouse to your computer, just as you would a speaker. All you need to do is access your computer’s Bluetooth list of devices, set your mouse to pairing mode, and connect.
This works because a transmitter is built into the mouse and a Bluetooth receiver within the computer. Because of this, there’s no need to plug the dongle into a USB port. For more info on this subject, you can read our article explaining how to use a mouse dongle as a Bluetooth receiver.
Wireless devices that aren’t Bluetooth enabled require separate receivers because they give off a specific radio frequency. Therefore, the dongle must be plugged into a computer’s USB port for the wireless mouse to work. This means that if you lose your wireless USB dongle, you won’t be able to use the mouse.
Warning
A USB webcam provides an easier installation experience but won’t provide the same image quality as a digital camera.
Many manufacturers offer replacement receivers for purchase. Another good idea is to buy a unifying receiver. This allows users to connect multiple devices under one common connection. However, remember that these unifying receivers typically only work within the same device brand, and only certain brands, like Logitech, offer them.
STAT: A Bluetooth connection will retain its signal for up to about 30 feet. However, the proper tools can extend a Bluetooth connection to 500 feet. (source)
