The basic steps depend on whether your mouse is wireless or wired

A wired mouse plugs directly into a USB port on your computer and works immediately — no setup needed. A wireless mouse requires you to either insert batteries and turn it on, or charge it via USB, then pair it with your computer using a small receiver that plugs into a USB port, or through Bluetooth if your computer has it built in. The whole process takes under five minutes either way.

The type of connection your mouse uses determines what you do first. If you have a wired mouse, you can skip ahead to the wired section. If your mouse is wireless, check the bottom or back of the mouse for a small label or manual that tells you whether it uses a USB receiver or Bluetooth.

Key Takeaways

  • Wired mice plug into any USB port and work instantly without any pairing or setup.
  • Wireless mice with a USB receiver require you to insert batteries, plug the receiver into a USB port, and sometimes press a pairing button on the mouse.
  • Bluetooth mice need to be turned on and then added through your computer's Bluetooth settings, found in Settings on Windows or System Preferences on Mac.
  • If your mouse does not respond after connecting, try a different USB port, check that batteries are inserted correctly, or restart your computer.

Connecting a wired mouse

Locate an open USB port on your computer. On a desktop, these are usually on the back or front of the tower. On a laptop, they are on the sides. Plug the mouse cable into the port until it clicks into place.

Move the mouse and click the buttons to test it. The cursor should move on your screen and clicks should register. If nothing happens, try unplugging it and plugging it into a different USB port — sometimes a port is not working properly. If you still have no response, restart your computer and try again.

Connecting a wireless mouse with a USB receiver

Open the battery compartment on the bottom of the mouse. This usually slides or pops open. Insert the batteries with the correct side facing up — the label inside the compartment shows which way. Close the compartment.

Locate the small USB receiver that came with your mouse. It is usually a tiny stick about the size of a lighter. Plug it into any open USB port on your computer. Some mice have a pairing button on the bottom or side — if yours does, press and hold it for a few seconds until a light on the receiver blinks. If there is no pairing button, the mouse and receiver pair automatically within a few seconds of the receiver being plugged in.

Move the mouse and click to test it. The cursor should respond immediately. If it does not, try a different USB port. If the receiver light is not on, check that the batteries are inserted correctly and the compartment is fully closed.

Connecting a wireless mouse via Bluetooth

Insert batteries into the mouse or charge it via the USB cable that came with it, depending on the model. Turn on the mouse — there is usually a switch on the bottom or a power button on top. Look for a pairing button, often labeled with a Bluetooth symbol, and press it until a light blinks on the mouse.

On Windows, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Devices, then Bluetooth & devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Click "Add device" and select "Bluetooth." Your mouse should appear in the list within a few seconds. Click it to pair.

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Your mouse should appear in the list. Click "Connect" next to it.

Once paired, the mouse should work immediately. If it does not appear in the list, make sure the mouse is turned on and the pairing button is being held down, then try again.

What to do if your mouse is not working after you connect it

First, check the obvious things: Is the mouse turned on? For wireless mice, are the batteries inserted correctly with the right side facing up? For wired mice, is the cable fully plugged in? For Bluetooth mice, is Bluetooth turned on in your computer settings?

Try a different USB port. Some ports stop working, and moving the receiver or wired mouse to another port often fixes the problem. If you are using a USB hub (a device that lets you plug multiple things into one port), try plugging directly into the computer instead — hubs sometimes do not provide enough power.

Restart your computer. This clears out temporary problems that prevent the mouse from being recognized. After the computer restarts, test the mouse again.

If you are using a wireless mouse with a receiver and it still does not work, try removing and reinserting the batteries, or unplugging the receiver and plugging it back in after a few seconds. For Bluetooth mice, go back into your Bluetooth settings, remove the mouse from the paired devices list, and pair it again from scratch.

Understanding mouse sensitivity and button settings

Once your mouse is connected and working, you can adjust how fast the cursor moves and what the buttons do. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Mouse. You will see a slider for pointer speed — move it left to slow down the cursor or right to speed it up. Test different speeds to find what feels comfortable for you.

On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences (or System Settings), then Mouse or Trackpad. You will see a slider for tracking speed. Adjust it the same way.

If your mouse has extra buttons, you can usually set what they do through the same settings menu, or through software that came with the mouse. Most people leave them at the default settings, but you can change them if you want a button to open a specific program or perform a specific action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a wired mouse and wireless mouse at the same time?

Yes. Your computer can recognize multiple mice connected at the same time. Plug in or pair as many as you want, and they will all work. The cursor will respond to whichever mouse you move last. This is useful if you want a wired mouse at your desk and a wireless one for travel.

Why does my wireless mouse keep disconnecting?

Check that the batteries are not dying — low batteries are the most common cause. Replace them with fresh ones. If you are using a USB receiver, try moving it closer to the mouse or away from other wireless devices like routers or phones, which can interfere. For Bluetooth mice, make sure Bluetooth is still turned on in your settings.

Do I need to install software for my mouse to work?

No. Any standard mouse will work immediately after you connect it without installing anything. Some mice come with software that lets you customize buttons or sensitivity, but this is optional. You can use the mouse without it.

What if my computer does not have Bluetooth?

You can still use a wireless mouse if it comes with a USB receiver — just plug the receiver into a USB port instead of pairing via Bluetooth. If your mouse only supports Bluetooth and your computer does not have it, you can buy a small USB Bluetooth adapter that plugs into any USB port and adds Bluetooth to your computer.

Can I connect a mouse to a tablet or phone?

Yes, most tablets and phones support Bluetooth mice. Turn on the mouse, put it in pairing mode, then go to your device's Bluetooth settings and pair it the same way you would on a computer. Some phones and tablets also support mice with USB receivers if you use a USB adapter.