Bluetooth connectivity problems are usually fixable — start by checking power, Bluetooth state, and pairing, then update drivers or restart services if needed. If your Bluetooth mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10, this article explains why it happens and walks you through 12 concrete fixes so you can get back to work quickly.
Common causes include drained batteries, Bluetooth being off, pairing mistakes, driver or service problems, interference, and hardware faults. Below you’ll find a quick summary, a concise troubleshooting table, detailed step-by-step fixes for each cause, extra recommendations, an FAQ, and a short conclusion.
Key Takeaway
Most Bluetooth mouse issues are resolved by checking power and pairing first, then updating or reinstalling the Bluetooth driver and ensuring the Bluetooth Support Service and power-management settings are configured properly.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth is turned off | Turn on Bluetooth in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices or Action Center. |
| Dead or weak batteries | Replace or recharge the mouse batteries. |
| Mouse not in pairing mode | Put the mouse into pairing mode per manufacturer steps and re-pair. |
| Bluetooth driver outdated/corrupt | Update or reinstall the Bluetooth driver in Device Manager (devmgmt.msc). |
| Bluetooth services disabled | Start and set Bluetooth Support Service to Automatic in services.msc. |
| Windows troubleshooter not run | Run Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Bluetooth. |
| Wireless interference or distance | Move mouse closer to PC and away from USB 3.0 ports, metal objects, or routers. |
| Using wrong receiver or combined dongle conflict | Use the correct USB dongle or remove conflicting receivers. |
| Paired but not connected | Remove device in Settings > Devices and re-pair the mouse. |
| Power management turning off adapter | Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power in adapter properties. |
| Recent Windows update caused regression | Check for optional driver updates or uninstall the recent update. |
| Hardware failure (mouse or adapter) | Test mouse on another PC and replace mouse or Bluetooth adapter if needed. |
Detailed Fixes for “Bluetooth mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Bluetooth is turned off
Why this causes the problem:
- If Bluetooth is disabled, Windows cannot detect or connect to any Bluetooth peripherals.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings (press Windows + I).
- Go to Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Toggle Bluetooth to On.
- Alternatively, open Action Center (click the notification icon or press Windows + A) and ensure the Bluetooth tile is active.
- If Bluetooth is greyed out, restart your PC and try again.
Note: You can open Bluetooth settings directly by pressing Windows + R, typing ms-settings:bluetooth, and pressing Enter.
2. Dead or weak batteries
Why this causes the problem:
- Low battery can prevent the mouse from broadcasting or maintaining a stable connection.
Step-by-step solution:
- Replace the AA/AAA batteries or recharge the mouse according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Power the mouse off and on after replacing batteries.
- If the mouse has an LED battery indicator, ensure it shows normal power.
- Test the mouse again.
Tip: A quick swap with known-good batteries rules out battery-related issues fast.
3. Mouse not in pairing mode
Why this causes the problem:
- A Bluetooth mouse must be in pairing mode for Windows to discover it; many mice go to sleep or require a specific button press.
Step-by-step solution:
- Read the mouse manual for the pairing procedure (common methods: press and hold a pairing button for 3–7 seconds or switch a dedicated pairing slider).
- Put the mouse in pairing mode — often an LED will flash rapidly.
- In Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth, then select the mouse.
- Confirm any pairing prompts.
Tip: If the mouse supports multiple device profiles, ensure it’s assigned to an available profile or channel before pairing.
4. Bluetooth driver outdated or corrupt
Why this causes the problem:
- Drivers bridge hardware and Windows; outdated or corrupt drivers can prevent detection or cause instability.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth and locate your Bluetooth adapter (e.g., Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Realtek, Broadcom).
- Right-click the adapter and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If that doesn’t help, right-click and select Uninstall device. If prompted, check Delete the driver software for this device (only if you have a replacement driver available).
- Restart the PC — Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
- Optionally, visit your PC or adapter manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver, then run their installer.
Note: For OEM laptops, using the vendor’s driver is often more reliable than the generic Microsoft driver.
5. Bluetooth Support Service disabled
Why this causes the problem:
- The Bluetooth Support Service handles device discovery and connection for many Bluetooth devices. If stopped, connections may fail.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Locate Bluetooth Support Service (or similar name).
- Right-click and choose Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic (or Automatic (Delayed Start)).
- Click Start if the service is stopped, then click OK.
- Restart the PC.
Tip: If you have additional Bluetooth-related services, ensure they are running.
6. Windows troubleshooter not run
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that automates basic diagnostics and fixes, which can correct configuration problems.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- Click Additional troubleshooters.
- Select Bluetooth and click Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and apply recommended fixes.
Note: After the troubleshooter runs, re-pair the mouse if prompted.
7. Wireless interference or distance
Why this causes the problem:
- Bluetooth operates on 2.4 GHz and is susceptible to interference from Wi‑Fi, USB 3.0, microwaves, and metal objects; range limitations also matter.
Step-by-step solution:
- Move the mouse and PC closer together (within 1–3 meters to test).
- Relocate any USB 3.0 devices and cables away from the Bluetooth antenna area.
- Try a different USB port for the PC (preferably a rear port on desktops).
- Turn off nearby devices that may interfere (other Bluetooth devices, 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi temporarily).
- Test the mouse again.
Tip: For laptops, avoid using the mouse on metallic surfaces that can attenuate the signal — try a mouse pad.
8. Using the wrong receiver or USB dongle conflict
Why this causes the problem:
- Some mice use proprietary USB receivers (not standard Bluetooth). If you try to pair via Windows Bluetooth while using a proprietary dongle, they won’t connect. Multiple dongles can also conflict.
Step-by-step solution:
- Confirm whether your mouse is a standard Bluetooth device or uses a proprietary USB receiver (check the box/manual).
- If it uses a USB dongle (often marketed as “Unifying Receiver” or similar), plug that into a rear USB port and pair using the vendor’s software (e.g., Logitech Unifying Software).
- Remove extra Bluetooth dongles or disable them in Device Manager to avoid conflicts.
- If you need built-in Bluetooth, unplug the proprietary dongle and pair via Windows Bluetooth.
9. Paired but not connected
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows may show the device as paired but it’s not actively connected due to a failed connection handshake.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Locate the mouse under Mouse, keyboard & pen or Other devices.
- Click the mouse entry and choose Remove device.
- Put the mouse into pairing mode again and click Add Bluetooth or other device to re-pair.
- If pairing fails repeatedly, restart Bluetooth in Device Manager: right-click the adapter and choose Disable device, wait 5 seconds, then Enable device.
Tip: Clearing paired devices list on the mouse (if supported) can help if it is trying to connect to an old host.
10. Power management turning off the adapter
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows may power down the Bluetooth adapter to save energy, causing dropouts or inability to connect.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
- Expand Bluetooth, right-click your Bluetooth adapter, and choose Properties.
- Go to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and restart the PC.
Note: Also check the Bluetooth mouse under Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices for the same setting.
11. Recent Windows update caused regression
Why this causes the problem:
- Occasionally a Windows Update or driver update introduces a bug that breaks Bluetooth functionality.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click View update history to see recent updates.
- If you suspect a specific update, click Uninstall updates and remove the most recent problematic update.
- Also check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates > Driver updates for a newer Bluetooth driver to install.
- If necessary, use System Restore to roll back to a restore point before the issue started.
Warning: Uninstalling updates should be a last resort; install driver updates first.
12. Hardware failure (mouse or adapter)
Why this causes the problem:
- Physical damages or internal failures in the mouse or the PC’s Bluetooth adapter will prevent connections.
Step-by-step solution:
- Test the mouse on another computer or device (phone/tablet/another PC) to confirm whether the mouse itself works.
- If using a USB Bluetooth dongle, test it on another PC.
- If the mouse fails on multiple devices, contact the manufacturer for warranty replacement.
- For built-in adapters that fail, consider using a USB Bluetooth adapter as a workaround or contact your PC manufacturer for repair.
Tip: If the mouse works on mobile devices but not on the PC, the fault is likely the PC side (driver/service/configuration).
Preventive tips and when to seek help
- Keep Bluetooth drivers updated from your PC or adapter manufacturer.
- Replace mouse batteries proactively and remove the mouse from Bluetooth pairing when not used for long periods to prevent auto-connection problems.
- Avoid heavy USB 3.0 activity near the Bluetooth antenna; use rear USB ports or a short USB extension cable for dongles.
- If you frequently travel with your mouse, store it properly to avoid hardware damage and clear paired device lists periodically.
- Seek professional help if the built-in Bluetooth module fails hardware diagnostics: contact your PC vendor or a trusted repair shop.
FAQ
How can I tell if my mouse uses Bluetooth or a proprietary receiver?
Check the product box/manual: if it names “Bluetooth” or lists Bluetooth profiles (HID), it’s Bluetooth. If it includes a tiny USB “receiver” and mentions a proprietary unifying receiver, use that receiver and vendor pairing software.
Why does my Bluetooth mouse lag occasionally even when connected?
Lag is often caused by interference (USB 3.0, Wi‑Fi), low batteries, or driver issues; move closer to the computer, change USB ports, replace batteries, and update drivers.
Can I connect two Bluetooth mice to the same PC?
Yes, Windows supports multiple Bluetooth pointing devices simultaneously, but only one active cursor is practical. Having more than one can cause conflicts with some apps.
Does Bluetooth version (e.g., 4.0 vs 5.0) matter for mice?
Newer Bluetooth versions offer improved range and power efficiency. A Bluetooth 5.0 mouse can work with a Bluetooth 4.0 adapter but might not gain full performance advantages.
How do I find the Bluetooth adapter model in my PC?
Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc), expand Bluetooth, and note the adapter name (e.g., Intel Wireless Bluetooth). You can also run msinfo32 (System Information) and check Components > Problem Devices or Network > Adapter for more details.
Conclusion
Most issues where a Bluetooth mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10 are resolved by checking power/pairing, updating or reinstalling drivers, and ensuring Bluetooth services and power settings are configured correctly. Follow the steps above in order and test after each change to quickly identify and fix the root cause.
