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Mouse Usage and Troubleshooting Guide

Nam Hoang
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How to Connect a Wired, Wireless or Bluetooth Mouse to Your Computer

When your Wired USB, Wireless USB or Bluetooth® mouse is not working as it should, refer to the expanding section below that best matches the issue you are having and follow the instructions.

 

Suggested Quick Fixes:

  1. Reseat the USB cable or wireless USB receiver.
  2. When you have a wireless USB or Bluetooth mouse, install new batteries.
  3. Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer.

 

Wireless USB Mouse

  1. Locate the wireless USB receiver that came with your mouse.
    Note:

    When buying a keyboard or mouse with a computer:

    • Look in every compartment of the box that the device(s) came in. The wireless USB receiver is small and can be easily overlooked. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver. Refer to Figure 1 to see the size and shape of the receiver.

    When buying a keyboard or mouse separately from a computer:

    • The wireless USB receiver will be under the keyboard when buying a keyboard or keyboard, mouse combination, and under the mouse when bought separately. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver. 

    When you cannot locate your wireless receiver after you have unpacked the devices, some mice and keyboards have a place to store the wireless receiver. Look under the mouse buttons where the batteries are or in the battery compartment on a keyboard, but they are not shipped in those locations

  2. Insert the wireless USB receiver into any available USB port.
    Notes:
    1. The receiver only goes in one way. When the connector does not seem to fit, adjust the angle or flip it over.
    2. When using the receiver that came with the mouse no configuration is needed.

 

Wired USB Mouse

  1. Look at the connector on the end of the USB mouse cable.
  2. Look for a matching port and USB symbol on the notebook or computer.

    Note: The connector only goes in one way. When the connector does not seem to fit, adjust the angle or flip it over.

 

Resolving Cursor and Scroll Wheel Issues for a Wired USB Mouse

 Note: The following steps apply to all brands of wired USB mice.

  1. Reseat the wired USB mouse cable into the USB port.
  2. Make sure the optical opening on the bottom of the mouse and around the scroll wheel is clean. For more information, refer to the How to Clean Your Mouse section.
  3. Make sure the surface you are using has enough of a pattern in it that the mouse can tell when it has been moved (a mouse pad is best, since the mouse judges movement by reflections, a uniform surface is harder for the mouse to tell when it has been moved).
  4. Try the wired USB mouse in another USB port on the computer. A notice that drivers are being installed may appear; if so, wait until a message that the drivers were installed before you use the mouse.
  5. Try another wired USB mouse, when available. A notice that drivers are being installed may appear, if so, wait until a message that the drivers were installed before you use the mouse.
  6. Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer. When you do not have another mouse or touchscreen, you may have to press and hold the power button down for at least 15 seconds to turn the computer off, and you will lose any data not saved.

 

Resolving Cursor and Scroll Wheel Issues for a Wireless USB Mouse

  1. Make sure to use the wireless USB receiver that came with your wireless mouse. Using another receiver may mean it uses another technology and it will not be compatible with the mouse.
    Note:

    When buying a keyboard or mouse with a computer:

    • Look in every compartment of the box that the device(s) came in. The wireless USB receiver is small and can be easily overlooked. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver. 

    When buying a keyboard or mouse separately from a computer:

    • The wireless USB receiver will be under the keyboard when buying a keyboard or keyboard, mouse combination, and under the mouse when bought separately. The receiver will have an informational tag attached to help you locate the receiver.

    When you cannot locate your wireless receiver after you have unpacked the devices, some mice and keyboards have a place to store the wireless receiver. Look under the mouse buttons where the batteries are or in the battery compartment on keyboards, but they are not shipped in those locations.

  2. Make sure the mouse is within 10 feet (3 meters) of the computer.
  3. Reseat the wireless USB receiver into the USB port.
  4. Reinsert the batteries or install fresh batteries. For more information on how to install the batteries, refer to the document that came with the wireless mouse.
  5. Make sure the mouse is turned on.
  6. Your receiver and mouse may have a connect button: if so, press the connect button on the receiver and on the bottom of the mouse.
  7. Make sure the optical opening on the bottom of the mouse and around the scroll wheel is clean. For more information, refer to the How to Clean Your Mouse section.
  8. Make sure the surface you are using has enough of a pattern in it that the mouse can tell when it has been moved (a mouse pad is best, since the mouse judges movement by reflections, a uniform surface is harder for the mouse to tell when it has been moved).
  9. Try the wireless USB receiver in another USB port on the computer. A notice that drivers are being installed may appear, if so, wait until a message that the drivers were installed before you use the mouse.
    Note: When using a wireless USB mouse with a connect button, make sure to press the connect button on the receiver and on the bottom of the mouse again.
  10. Try another wireless USB mouse and receiver, when available. A notice that drivers are being installed may appear, if so, wait until a message that the drivers were installed before you use the mouse.
    Note: When using a wireless USB mouse with a connect button, make sure to press the connect button on the receiver and on the bottom of the mouse again.
  11. Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer. When you do not have another mouse or touchscreen, you may have to hold the power button down for at least 15 seconds to turn the computer off and you will lose any data not saved.

 

Resolving Mouse Button

 Note: The following steps apply to all brands of USB mice.

  1. Make sure there is nothing preventing the mouse buttons from moving. Most mouse buttons make a clicking noise when pressed down all the way.
  2. Reseat the wired USB mouse cable or USB wireless mouse adapter into the USB port.
  3. Try the wired USB mouse or USB wireless mouse adapter in another USB port on the computer. A notice that drivers are being installed may appear, if so, wait until a message that the drivers were installed before you use the mouse.
  4. Save any data, close any open program(s) and restart the computer. When you do not have another mouse or touchscreen, you may have to hold the power button down for at least 15 seconds to turn the computer off and you will lose any data not saved.

 

Troubleshooting a Slow Moving Cursor

  1. Make sure the optical opening on the bottom of the mouse is clean. For more information, refer to the How to Clean Your Mouse section.
  2. Make sure the surface you are using has enough of a pattern in it that the mouse can tell when it has been moved (a mouse pad is best, since the mouse judges movement by reflections, a uniform surface is harder for the mouse to tell when it has been moved).
  3. Change the mouse settings to adjust the pointer speed.
    1. In the Search box, type main.cpl.
    2. Touch or click main.cpl in the list of programs.
    3. Touch or click the Pointer Options tab.
    4. Move the slider under Select a Pointer Speed to adjust the cursor speed to the desired level.
    5. Touch or click OK.
  4. Turn off the computer.
  5. Unplug any devices, including the following:
    • Speakers.
    • Printers.
    • Scanners.
    • Other USB devices, including an external keyboard.
    • USB flash drive or other external storage devices.
    • When the cursor does work correctly, attach one external device at a time and test the cursor movement to see which one may have caused the issue.Turn the computer back on and retest the cursor movement.

 

How to Clean Your Mouse

To clean the lens, perform the following steps:

  1. Turn off the computer and unplug the mouse.
  2. Look at the lens on the bottom of the optical mouse.
    • If you see any debris, try to blow it off with a can of compressed air.
    • If not, take a cotton swab or terry cloth rag and dip it in isopropyl alcohol. It should be damp but not wet, and lightly clean the lens.

To clean the scroll wheel, perform the following steps:

  1. Turn off the computer and unplug the mouse.
  2. Look at the scroll wheel.
    • When you see any debris, try to blow it off with a can of compressed air.
    • If not, take a cotton swab or terry cloth rag, dip it in isopropyl alcohol (it should be damp but not wet), and wipe the circumference of the wheel, cleaning away oily buildup and dirt.

 

 

Article Version DK.01

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  • Tim Nels

    Not helpful AT ALL.  These are the most basic of steps anyone would have already completed before trying your support.  I need help, not throw me some basic answers for help and and hope I go away.

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