Connect a wireless mouse without a receiver: Simple Steps

Summary

Alternatives to connect your wireless mouse
Bonus: some tips to avoid losing your mouse's wireless receiver

You have lost or damaged the USB receiver of your RF wireless mouse (radio frequency technology), and therefore you can no longer connect it to your PC or Mac? All is not necessarily lost: there are solutions to try before discarding your mouse! This step-by-step guide lists the different methods to connect a wireless mouse without a receiver, so you can quickly regain the use of your gaming peripheral and resume control of your gaming experience.

Alternatives to connect your wireless mouse

Bluetooth Connection

If your gaming mouse is compatible (as well as the PC or Mac you want to connect it to), the Bluetooth option is probably the simplest solution to connect your wireless mouse without a receiver. Here’s how to proceed:

activate Bluetooth on your computer;
put your Bluetooth mouse in pairing mode (refer to the manufacturer's user manual);
in your PC's Bluetooth settings, search for and select your mouse;
follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the connection.

Also read: How to connect a wireless mouse?

Using an alternative USB receiver

Some wireless mouse manufacturers allow the use of a USB dongle from another mouse (or other wireless peripherals) from the same manufacturer. This solution can be practical if you own several devices from the same brand. Check the user documentation, or seek advice from the manufacturer's technical support to find out if this method can be applied to your mouse.

Contacting customer service

If your wireless mouse is still under manufacturer warranty, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer's customer service. They may be able to send you a new receiver for free or at a reduced cost.

Considering buying a new mouse

If none of the previous solutions work, it will unfortunately be necessary to invest in a new mouse, as the wireless connection will remain impossible.

To avoid this problem in the future, opt for a wired model, or a model with integrated Bluetooth connectivity.

Finally, rather than simply discarding your old mouse, think about the planet: recycling solutions exist! In particular, any seller of electronic devices is legally required to offer you a solution for taking back your old peripherals. Check with your retailer to ensure that your wireless mouse ends its life in an eco-friendly manner.

Bonus: some tips to avoid losing your mouse's wireless receiver

If it has one, use the integrated storage compartment in your mouse.
Invest in a small carrying case for your mouse and its receiver.
Leave the dongle systematically plugged into one of your computer's USB ports. Most receivers are now small enough not to hinder the compactness or portability of the PC.

In the absence of a wired solution or Bluetooth connection, a wireless mouse always requires a receiver — thus, pairing a mouse without a dongle is almost impossible. However, thanks to the above methods, you have the possibility to test different alternatives before having to invest in a new model. In the future, remember that prevention is the best solution: take care of your gaming equipment to avoid disappointments!