Yes, you can connect a mouse to the USB ports on the LG 34GP83A-B
The LG 34GP83A-B has two USB 3.0 downstream ports on the back of the monitor that work as a USB hub. You can plug a wireless mouse receiver or a wired mouse directly into either port, and the monitor will pass the connection through to your computer. The mouse will function the same way it would if you plugged it into a USB port on your PC itself.
The monitor also has one USB 3.0 upstream port — the thicker, separate port — that connects the entire hub to your computer. You must plug a USB cable from this upstream port into your PC for the downstream ports to work at all. Without that connection, the two front-facing ports are inactive.
Key Takeaways
- The two USB 3.0 ports on the back of the monitor work as a hub and can accept a wired or wireless mouse receiver.
- The upstream port on the monitor must be connected to your computer with a USB cable for the downstream ports to function.
- A wireless mouse receiver takes up one port; a wired mouse takes up one port; you have two ports total.
- The monitor's USB hub does not charge devices or provide power — it only passes data and standard USB power to low-power devices like mice.
What the USB ports actually do
The LG 34GP83A-B's USB hub is a pass-through hub, meaning it connects to your computer and extends USB access to the back of your monitor. This is useful if your monitor sits between your keyboard and your PC — you can plug a mouse into the monitor instead of reaching around to the back of your tower.
The two downstream ports (the ones you see on the monitor) are USB 3.0 and can handle mice, keyboards, and other low-power USB devices. They are not designed for high-speed data transfer or charging tablets. If you need to transfer files at USB 3.0 speeds, use a port on your computer directly.
How to set up the mouse connection
First, locate the upstream USB port on the back of the monitor — it is the single port that looks slightly different from the other two. Plug a USB 3.0 cable from this port into an available USB port on your computer. The cable is usually included with the monitor.
Once the upstream connection is active, the two downstream ports on the monitor will light up and become available. Plug your wireless mouse receiver or wired mouse into either of the two ports. Your computer should recognize the mouse within a few seconds, the same way it would if you plugged it directly into the PC.
If your mouse does not appear, check that the upstream cable is fully seated in both the monitor and your computer. Unplug it, wait five seconds, and plug it back in. If the mouse still does not work, try plugging it into a USB port on your computer to rule out a problem with the monitor's hub.
When the monitor's USB ports won't work
The most common reason the downstream ports stop working is that the upstream cable has come loose or was never connected. Check behind your monitor and your PC to make sure the USB cable is fully inserted on both ends.
If the upstream cable is connected and the ports still do not work, your computer may not have recognized the hub. Restart your computer and try again. On Windows, you can also open Device Manager, find "Universal Serial Bus controllers," and look for any devices with a yellow warning triangle — that indicates a driver problem that a restart usually fixes.
Some computers have USB ports that do not provide enough power for certain devices. If your wireless mouse receiver is plugged in but your mouse does not connect, try moving the receiver to a USB port on your computer instead. This is rare with mice, but it can happen with older or power-hungry wireless receivers.
USB port limits on the LG 34GP83A-B
You have exactly two downstream USB 3.0 ports available. If you want to connect both a mouse and a keyboard to the monitor, you will need to use both ports — one for the mouse receiver and one for the keyboard. If you need more than two USB devices, you will have to plug the extras into your computer directly or use a separate USB hub.
The monitor does not support daisy-chaining — you cannot plug a second USB hub into one of the downstream ports and expect it to work reliably. The hub is designed for simple peripherals like mice and keyboards, not for expanding the number of available ports.
Wireless vs. wired mice on the monitor
A wireless mouse with a USB receiver works perfectly in the monitor's ports. The receiver is small and takes up one port. A wired mouse also works fine — just plug the cable directly into a downstream port. Both options function identically to how they would if plugged into your computer.
Bluetooth mice that connect without a receiver cannot use the monitor's USB ports, because the ports have no way to communicate with Bluetooth devices. If you have a Bluetooth mouse, you must connect it to your computer's Bluetooth radio, not to the monitor's USB hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install drivers for the mouse to work?
No. The monitor's USB hub is plug-and-play, and mice are recognized by Windows and Mac without additional drivers. Plug the upstream cable into your computer, wait a few seconds, and plug your mouse into a downstream port. It should work immediately.
Can I charge my phone or tablet using the monitor's USB ports?
The ports can provide standard USB power, but the monitor's hub is not designed for charging. Phones and tablets usually draw more power than a monitor hub can safely deliver. Use your computer's USB ports or a wall charger for devices that need charging.
What if I unplug the upstream cable from my computer?
The downstream ports will stop working immediately. Any mouse or keyboard plugged into them will disconnect. Plug the upstream cable back in, wait a few seconds, and your devices will reconnect automatically.
Can I use the monitor's USB ports if my computer is turned off?
No. The monitor's hub only works when your computer is on and the upstream cable is connected. The hub has no independent power source — it relies entirely on your computer for power and communication.