What if someone loses the wireless Logitech USB connector?

👤 Adamya Neupane 🕒 17 Feb 2023 📁 TECH

If we are to think of the tech sphere, wireless mice are arguably the most convenient things made. They come with a small 2.4g connector or a Bluetooth module built into them. This makes seamlessly connecting with other devices a breeze. But the headaches start if we lose the connector.

If our mouse solely depends on the 2.4 GHz USB connector, it might be a big loss. This is because most mice come programmed with one single dongle. But how does that work? Let’s take a look at it.

How does a wireless mouse work?
How do I know the frequency of my mouse?
What do I do if I lose the connector?
Why dongles and mice are connected?
- Summary
Conclusion

How does a wireless mouse work?

A wireless mouse is connected to a PC with the help of a radio frequency. They come with a wireless dongle. The wireless dongles send and receive certain frequency waves for communication. But this raises the question, what if I use a different dongle for my mouse? Will that not solve my problem if I use two devices with the same frequency?

How do I know the frequency of my mouse?

The frequency of a wireless mouse is typically listed in the product specifications. It can also be found in the documentation provided by the manufacturer.

For example,

fig. Logitech Reciever

In this image, we can see the receiver frequency listed clearly.

If you no longer have the documentation, you can try finding the information online.

You can also try to check the label on the bottom of the mouse or the packaging it came in. The most common frequencies for wireless mice are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. But, other frequencies can be used.

Please note that the frequency is different from the protocol the device uses. Frequency is the strength of the wave. The protocol is the type of connection. Eg: Bluetooth, Wifi, etc. In the case of Bluetooth, the protocol will be Bluetooth but the frequency can vary.

What do I do if I lose the connector?

Here are the things you can do to lose the connector.

1. Make sure that the mouse is actually

Sometimes, you haven’t lost the dongle. It’s just lying somewhere you’re not used to keeping it anywhere. If you don’t find the dongle anywhere, check out the other steps below.

2. Check if the mouse has an extra connector

Some mice come with an extra dongle. If you are lucky enough to have a mouse of that kind, it’s a good idea to look for it. Not all Logitech mice come with this. But, most nowadays come with the Logitech Unifying Receiver. This means that it’s very easy to find one on the internet. I’ll talk about that later in the article.

3. Try using another mouse’s dongle

Generally, there’s a very small chance that this might work. But it’s worth a shot if you have an extra dongle lying around. In general, it is not recommended to use one mouse's dongle with another mouse. This is because the pair are designed to work together specifically. Some wireless devices use specific hardware or software to encrypt wireless communications. Therefore, a dongle from a different device may not be able to decrypt the signals. It's best to stick with the dongle that came with your mouse. Or purchase a replacement dongle from the manufacturer of your mouse.

Also read: What is USB upstream/downstream port on monitor ?

4. Check if the mouse is Bluetooth Compatible

Some wireless mice are not just dependent on the 2.4 GHz connector. They are also Bluetooth-compatible. If so, it is a good idea to use that Bluetooth connection. This can be a temporary fix while you are weighing your options on what the next steps can be.

5. RMA

Contact the manufacturer and ask them if they have any recommendations for you. Or, ask them if they can provide a replacement dongle for your specific model. Otherwise, we have the option to RMA it. RMA is simply a warranty claim and it works as long as you’re under the warranty period. It is a good solution because professionals will solve your problem. The only downside is that you’ll be left without a mouse for some days.

6. Get a Replacement Dongle

If you contact customer service, you might be able to secure a replacement dongle. A replacement dongle is not the same as RMA. You might have to pay for the dongle and shipping. But it sure beats buying another mouse from Logitech as they tend to be expensive.

Also read: Guide for Different USB Port Colors

7. Logitech Unifying Dongle

This is a “Unifying Dongle” sold by Logitech for around 20$. This little beast can connect up to 6 devices to your computing device with one dongle. And yes, you read that right. One. Let’s take a look at how to set this up.

First, download and install the Logitech Unifying Software.
Insert your Unifying Receiver into your Computer Port
Open the Software and it should automatically detect your receiver
The receiver is displayed in the Device List
To add a new device, click on the "Add a device" button and follow the on-screen instructions
The software will let us do the following

See the battery level
Update the firmware
Add or Remove the devices to the receiver.

Before adding the devices, make sure that your device is in pairing mode. Logitech devices usually have a button that needs to be pressed when pairing.

8 Consider Buying a new Mouse

If none of the above options work for you, it might be a good idea to take a look at a new mouse. This is only the last resort because most of the time steps 5, 6, or 7 will solve the issue.

If you are interested in why mice and dongles are programmed to each other, check out the rest of the article.

Why dongles and mice are connected?

The dongle and the mouse need to be able to communicate with each other using a specific set of protocols. These protocols include:

The frequency of the wireless signal
The type of encryption used to protect the signal and
The way the mouse and dongle make a connection.

Furthermore, each brand and model of the wireless mouse may have different requirements. Sometimes, additional software is needed for operation. Another reason is encryption. As mentioned above, some kind of encryption is probably at play. Therefore, keeping the dongle and mouse connected is a good idea to avoid mishaps.

Summary

If you have lost the USB connector for your Logitech wireless device, you have several options: you can look for it, you can get in touch with Logitech customer support to get a replacement, you can make use of a universal receiver if one is available, or you can buy a new device that comes with a receiver.

Conclusion

Losing your mouse’s connector can be a very frustrating experience. But it is not as bad as it looks. And most of the time, you won’t have to throw the mouse away. Prevents wasting money and contributing to the ever-heaping e-waste landfills of earth.