Bluetooth Mouse Not Working? Start Here.

The quick answer

Check that the mouse is switched on, has charged or fresh batteries, and is actually set to the correct connection mode. Then confirm Windows shows it under Bluetooth & devices.

Mouse or computer?

If possible, test a wired or USB receiver mouse to see whether Windows still responds. Some wireless mice use a small proprietary USB receiver instead of Bluetooth. If your mouse came with one, it may not appear in Windows' Bluetooth pairing menu at all.

Check the mouse itself

1. Turn the mouse off and on.
2. Charge it or replace batteries, observing their correct orientation.
3. Look for a button that switches between Bluetooth, a USB receiver, or multiple paired devices.
4. Put it into pairing mode according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Reconnect in Windows

Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices. Turn Bluetooth on, confirm the mouse is listed, and try reconnecting. If pairing is corrupted, remove that mouse entry and use Add device → Bluetooth to pair it again.

When the pointer skips or lags

Clean the optical sensor gently and try a plain mouse pad. Reflective glass or patterned surfaces can confuse some sensors. Wireless interference, a weak battery, or a congested Bluetooth environment may also cause intermittent lag.

What if Bluetooth is missing?

If Windows doesn't show Bluetooth at all, check Device Manager and whether the computer has a Bluetooth adapter. Not every desktop does. For a USB adapter, try a known-working port. Download any needed drivers from the PC or adapter manufacturer's official source.

Don't buy a new mouse until you've confirmed you're not simply using the wrong wireless connection type.