Wireless mouses make the user experience of using a mouse hassle-free. Many users have now shifted towards wireless mice as the latency on Bluetooth mice with USB dongles is close to none. Currently, several manufacturers manufacture wireless mice, and Logitech is one of the best.
One of the budget options for a Logitech mouse with a dongle includes the Logitech B170 wireless mouse. Just under 1000 INR is a good deal for budget buyers. But much like every other device, this mouse can also malfunction at times. One of the known issues with this mouse is functionality. The mouse does not work or is not recognized even when the USB receiver is plugged in. And in this article, we will look into all the possible solutions that one can try to fix this issue. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
Also Read: Fix: Logitech B170 Wireless Mouse Scroll Not Working
How to fix Logitech B170 Wireless Mouse Not Working or Not Being Detected issue?
There could be several possible reasons why the mouse is malfunctioning. The USB dongle might be damaged, or the USB port you are using for the dongle might be malfunctioning. The battery inside the mouse could also be empty. Then there is also a possibility that there is something wrong with the mouse drivers installed in your computer. And besides all of this, the reason could also be as simple as the surface where the mouse is placed. If the surface is uneven or rough, the laser in the mouse might face issues detecting the movement.
So, all in all, there are several reasons why the Logitech B170 could not be working. Now, let’s look at all the possible solutions one after the other.
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Make sure the mouse is turned on:
The Logitech B170 wireless Bluetooth mouse comes with a little on/off switch at the bottom. If the button is set to off, it won’t work. You need to make sure it is set to on before you try to use the mouse on your computer.
The on/off switch is essential to maintain more extended battery life. The mouse runs on AAA batteries. And having the switch set to off when the mouse is not in use helps reduce the cycle of changing the batteries on the mouse. So make sure that you keep it off when not in use and turn it on when you are about to use it again.
Try the next solution if the switch is set on, but the mouse is still not working.
Check the surface where the mouse is placed:
Any mouse to work properly needs an even, flat surface at the bottom without any roughness. The laser at the bottom tracks the movement of the mouse, and it requires a flat surface to measure the activity accurately. So if you are not using a mouse pad with your mouse, use one right away. If you do not have one on you right now, you even try using a book temporarily. If the mouse works with the book below it, you need to buy a mouse pad for your mouse right away. There are several types of mousepads available in the market for you to choose from. You can either buy one online or offline.
Try the following solution if using a mouse pad does not help with the mouse issue.
Check the battery on the mouse:
The Logitech B170 wireless Bluetooth mouse comes with AAA batteries. It is not a rechargeable mouse that can be charged via a USB cable and an adapter. You need to change the set of AAA batteries present at the back of the device when the mouse runs out of battery. If you have been using the mouse for a while and it has stopped working suddenly, you should change the batteries on the back of the mouse right away.
However, some users even get dead batteries with the mouse in rare cases. In that scenario, the mouse won’t work right from day 1. So go to your nearest grocery store and get some AAA batteries for your mouse. Get them inside the mouse, and then try using the mouse again.
Try the next solution if the mouse does not work even with the new batteries.
Change the USB port for the dongle:
The Logitech B170 wireless mouse comes with a USB dongle. The user needs to plug the dongle into a USB port of the computer where he wants to use the mouse. The USB dingle acts as a receiver for the mouse. But if the USB port you are using for the dongle is damaged, the connection will not be established, and no matter what you do with the mouse, it won’t respond to anything.
USB ports do malfunction sometimes in a PC. But not all of them will have the issue. Remove the USB dongle from the port you previously used and put it in another USB port. Now try using the mouse again.
Try the next solution if the mouse still does not work when connected via a different USB port.
Use the mouse on a different computer:
There is a slight possibility that the hardware on the mouse could have gone wrong. You can either take it to an IT specialist and get it fixed, or you can replace it with a new one. Every electronic device has a lifespan, and the mouse you are using could have reached its end. But before you jump to that conclusion and throw away the mouse, you first need to confirm it.
To confirm the functionality of the mouse, take it to a different computer and connect it to that. If the mouse is not working on that computer, then the problem is indeed within the mouse itself. It would be best if you got it replaced. However, if the mouse works fine on the other computer, the problem is with your PC. You need to check on the mouse drivers installed on your computer.
Reinstall the Mouse drivers:
Windows automatically installs the drivers for most devices when they are connected to the system. When the Logitech B170 wireless mouse was connected for the first time, it did the same. But sometimes, that installation can have some inconsistencies. To fix that, you need to install the mouse drivers again.
- Press the Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the options that show up.
- In the Device Manager window, find Mice and other pointing devices.
- Once you find it, double-click on it, and the list of installed mouse drivers will show up.
- Here, you will find the Logitech wireless mouse as well. Once you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall device.
- The Uninstall Device window will show up. Click on the Uninstall button, and the device will be removed from the computer.
- Now, go back to the Device Manager window and right-click on Mice and other pointing devices.
- Then select the Scan for hardware changes option. This will install the drivers for your mouse again. Just do not disconnect the mouse from your computer during the entire process.
Try the next solution if the reinstallation also does not fix the mouse issue.
Download and install the latest drivers:
Windows need up-to-date drivers to stay compatible with every possible device out there. So if you are on outdated drivers, update the mouse drivers right away. That might solve your problem with the Logitech B170 wireless mouse not being recognised or not working.
There are three ways to update a driver. You can do it automatically, manually, or using a third-party application.
To do it automatically, you can use Windows device manager.
- Press and hold Windows Key + X and choose “Device Manager” from the list of options.
- In the Device Manager window, find Mice and other pointing devices.
- Once you find it, double-click on it and the list of installed mouse drivers will show up.
- Here, you will find the Logitech wireless mouse as well. Once you see it, right-click on it and choose “Update driver.”
- Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions and install the driver update that shows up.
You need to visit the Logitech support website for the manual process and look for the driver setup file. It will be like any other software installation file. Once you find the setup file, install it on your computer as with any other application.
Besides these two methods, you also have a third option. You can install a third-party driver utility tool on your computer, and it will automatically scan your computer for any outdated or missing drivers. It will also install the latest drivers on your computer with a simple click. However, these utility software tools usually have a price tag. But the price is well worth it as you don’t need to worry about drivers on your computer even again.
So, one of the solutions mentioned above should fix the problem with your Logitech B170 wireless mouse. If you have any questions or queries about this article, comment below, and we will get back to you. Also, check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.