When your Logitech mouse won't connect

Press real hard

 

So in an earlier post I waxed eloquent about mice from Logitech that handle two (such as the M585) or three computers (the M720). In  my case, these mice are ideal as I have a Mac Mini that shares an ultrawide monitor with my Dell laptop. One mouse for two computers.

However, in the last week, I've not been able to get the mice to work with either computer -- neither with the transmitter or by Bluetooth. Lots of generic advice out there that is really unhelpful ("Try turning on Bluetooth") or downright dangerous ("Erase this file...").

TIP  You can have more than one mouse connected to your computer at a time. This is useful when debugging wireless mouse problems. Plug a wired mouse into a USB port to help you manipulate the user interface of Windows or MacOS.

 

Unifying Receiver Don't Connect

Logitech's Unifying Receiver is supposed to handle up to six devices -- mice and keyboards. But they aren't just plug'n-play nilly-willey. I have several laying around, and found that when I plugged in one, it might not be the right one.

So if your computer can't connect to your Logitech mouse through the Unifying receiver, try this steps:

• Check if your mouse's battery compartment to see if it still has its Unifying receiver embedded; take it out and use that one.
• If you have more than one receiver laying around, try the others.
• Use the Unifying program from Logitech to link a receiver to the mouse. Download it from https://download01.logi.com/web/ftp/pub/controldevices/unifying/unifying250.exe

 

Bluetooth Don't Connect

I spent two days trying to figure out why the two mice would not connect to my computers through Bluetooth. MacOS saw the mice in the Bluetooth connection panel, but would not connect. Windows just plain called them "Unknown devices." I tried a lot of things suggested by others on the great intertubes, but finally found this one cool trick that makes them work -- one that Logitech does not tell you about.

• Hold down the switching button until the LED flashes very quickly. This action forces the mouse into pairing mode, and the computer finally recognizes it.

The figure below shows the location of the switching button on each mouse. The switching button switches between linked computers. On both mice, #1 connects to the Unifying receiver; #2 and #3 connect through Bluetooth.

 

 

Comments

[Josh]

Super helpful. I was tearing my hair out after my Logitech bluetooth mouse disconnected and wouldn't reconnect.

[NINA WIGMAN]

very helpfull sugestion. Many thanks. I almost parted with my newly purchase logi mouse, until i read your message. Many thanks

[Barb]

Thank you for the Switching Button hint. That worked for my M585.

[Raphael]

You deserve an Oscar!!! Thanks!!!

[Lena]

You made my day! Many thanks Raphael!!

[Wally]

OMG that actually worked. I have a M535 and tried **everyhting* on the webs, and found your article. Although this mouse doesnt even have a multi-device switch, there is the yellow "extra" button on top and I thoug, well, whats to loose: And it worked! the mouse was immediately recognized and the drivers installed! Logitech is btw dead for me and I just dont want to buy a new mouse, yet. (Their drivers are abismal and the keyboards utter rubbish now)

[Ralph Grabowski]

I too am disappointed at the lowering quality of Logitech hardware.

[Jennifer]

Thank you for the switching button fix, it worked!

[Johanna]

worked for me too! brilliant thanks

[Kristi Bunt]

Thank you - I have been trying for days :)

[Cr]

Switching button did the trick! You are aces.

[Kz]

Didn't help my situation, I'm still searching for an answer :(. Good article tho, keep up the good work!

[Kz]

I just commented 5 minutes ago...I restarted my mouse & engaged pairing of my mouse 3x. Didn't work. Then I really got down to basics....I restarted my computer, and of course that did the trick lmao.

[Alfred]

Thanks so much for the helpful article. I have m720 and having fits trying to connect it to a new work MacBook Pro....wouldn't connect until I read your article. Holding down the #3 button did the trick for me! Thanks again...

[Yankeleh Finkelsteinbergman]

Didn't work for me until I turned bluetooth off on myWindowss 11 Dell and then back on.

[Leaky B]

thank you thank you!

[CDD]

THIS IS SO HELPFUL!! THANKS!!

[William]

Thank you very much - needed the Unifying program link and to know you have to hold down the switching button. SUPER helpful!!

[Dale]

Simple fix. Why couldn't I find this on the Logitech website? Thanks!

[Shay]

This was extremely helpful! I thought I would have to order another mouse and I would of ordered the same one because I love the M720 but now I can continue to use it. Thank you

[Danielle]

Didn't work.

[Riceotter]

It just worked! Thank you.

When I first got my M585, I was only able to connect using the little dongle. I thought the Bluetooth part of the mouse died, and was ready to send it back. Then I found your post and held down the select button to put the mouse in pairing mode. My computer was able to see and then connect with the M585.

Wonderful! Much appreciation for your help!

[Monica]

Thank you so much. I turned on my computer this afternoon and my M270 mouse wouldn't work. I removed it and tried to reconnect it and it wouldn't recognize it all. Once I tried your suggestion it paired right away. I did not realize what the side buttons wiere for and was getting so frustrated. Brilliant info - thanks again.

[Kelvin]

This worked for me too! Thank you!

[Mirela]

Thank you so much! It worked for my M240.

[Barbara]

You're a genius!!!!!!! Thank you sooooooo much. Been driving me nuts all day!

[ss]

I tried several times with pairing and it will pair but not work. It required laptop bluetooth turned off before it worked again successfully.