Check the bottom and battery compartment of the mouse for a USB receiver or a Bluetooth/pairing button, because a receiver-based mouse will not appear in the laptop’s Bluetooth list.
1. Identify how the mouse connects
- Small USB receiver present: Plug it directly into the laptop, not through a USB hub. If it does not work, unplug it for about 10 seconds and try another USB port. Receiver-based wireless mice connect through that receiver rather than the Bluetooth device list.^1^
- Bluetooth or pairing button present: Continue with the pairing procedure below.
- Neither is obvious: Check inside the battery compartment for a stored USB receiver and look for the mouse’s model number on its underside.
2. Put a Bluetooth mouse into pairing mode
Simply switching on the mouse might not make it discoverable.
- Check that the batteries are inserted correctly. Replace them with fresh batteries, or fully charge the mouse if it is rechargeable.
- Turn the mouse on.
- Press and hold the pairing button—usually on the bottom—for 5–7 seconds.
- Release it when the pairing light begins flashing. A flashing light means the mouse is discoverable.^2^
- Keep the mouse close to the laptop while adding it:
- Windows 11: Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth
- Windows 10: Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth
- Select the Microsoft mouse when it appears and complete pairing.
If no light appears, replace or recharge the battery. If the light flashes three times and then turns off, the mouse may already be paired with another nearby computer. Remove it from that computer’s Bluetooth devices, turn that computer off, and repeat the pairing process.^2^
If it still does not appear
On Windows 11, expand Bluetooth discovery:
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Under Device settings, change Bluetooth devices discovery from Default to Advanced.
- Select Add device > Bluetooth and search again.^3^
Then try these in order:
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.
- Turn Airplane mode on for 10–15 seconds, then turn it off.
- Temporarily disconnect other Bluetooth devices.
- Open the Get Help app, search for Bluetooth, and run the automated Bluetooth troubleshooter.
- Install available updates:
- Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates
- Restart the laptop.^4^
Finally, try the mouse on another computer. If it is not detected there either after installing fresh batteries and entering pairing mode, the mouse or its receiver likely needs replacement. If it works on another computer, the laptop’s Bluetooth adapter, driver, or configuration needs further troubleshooting.^1^
References
- Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
- Troubleshoot problems with your Surface mouse or keyboard | Microsoft Support
- [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-10)
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/troubleshoot-bluetooth-not-connecting-in-windows#solution-6-check-for-windows-updates)