What gets in the way
Use the buttons above the picture to switch between setups.
Mouse signalNoise
- 1The receiver is plugged into a PC under the desk. It is far from the mouse, and the desk and the metal case block the signal.
- 2The receiver sits next to a USB 3.0 port or drive (USB 3.0 ports usually have a blue insert). USB 3.0 ports, cables and drives raise noise in the 2.4 GHz band by nearly 20 dB. In one test, a receiver stacked above a USB 3.0 port left the mouse with no response at all.
- 3A Wi-Fi router or other 2.4 GHz gear sits close to the PC: Wi-Fi antennas, cordless phones, wireless speakers, 2.4 GHz remotes or a wireless headset receiver in the next port. They use the same band as the mouse. Infrared remotes are fine, they use light, not radio.
- 4The mouse battery is low. Low or dead batteries can make the cursor lag or skip and the mouse drop its connection. Charge it fully before testing.
- ✓Put the receiver (on the extension that came with the mouse) or the dongle on the desk, in line of sight of the mouse and as close as you can. Mouse makers say within 20 to 30 cm.
- ✓Plug the other end of the cable straight into a USB port on the PC, such as a rear port on the motherboard, not into a hub or KVM switch.
- ✓Move the Wi-Fi router away, about 2 m or more from the mouse and receiver. Keep cordless phones, wireless speakers and 2.4 GHz remotes away too, and other electrical devices at least 20 cm away.
Where to plug it in
| Where it plugs in | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Receiver straight into the back of the PC | Worst. The case itself can block the signal, and these ports usually sit next to several USB 3.0 ports and the motherboard Wi-Fi antenna sockets. |
| Receiver straight into the front of the case | Better than the back, and the first fix mouse makers suggest. A PC under the desk still has the desk in the way, and most front ports are USB 3.0. |
| Receiver that has to go straight into the PC (no extension) | Use a USB 2.0 port as far from the USB 3.0 ports as you can, as mouse makers advise. How to tell them apart is below the table. |
| Receiver on its extension, or a dongle, on the desk, with the cable in a rear port | Best. The receiver or dongle sits near the mouse, and the cable goes straight into the motherboard without a hub. The cable can go into a USB 3.0 port: receivers and dongles run at USB 2.0 speed, so that port sends no USB 3.0 signal, and the receiver is already away from the PC. |
| Receiver on its extension, or a dongle, on the desk, with the cable in a front port | Works, but a rear port is better. This is the opposite of plugging the receiver straight in: the receiver is already on the desk, so the case blocks nothing. A front port reaches the motherboard through a cable inside the case and one more connector, so power and data pass more weak points. If the light is on but the cursor won't move, move the cable to a rear port first. |
| Next to the LAN port | The LAN cable itself is not in the same band: gigabit Ethernet signals on a 125 MHz clock, far below 2.4 GHz. On a motherboard, though, the LAN port usually sits in a block with USB 3.0 ports, so keep the receiver itself away from there. |
USB 2.0Usually a black or white insert
The mark has no SS
USB 3.0Usually a blue insert
The mark starts with SS
Cursor freezes while the mouse light is still on? Fix it step by step
Sources
The technical claims on this page draw on these manufacturer documents and references.
- Intel, USB 3.0 radio frequency interference on 2.4 GHz devicesUSB 3.0 ports, cables and drives raise 2.4 GHz noise by nearly 20 dB; a receiver stacked above a USB 3.0 port left the mouse with no response
- Logitech, Troubleshoot Unifying productsUSB 3.0 noise, metal surfaces, distance, a PC under the desk, microwave ovens and older cordless phones
- Logitech, Wireless product with a USB 3.0 devicelag and missed input; move the receiver close to the mouse with an extension cable
- Logitech, Interference troubleshootingkeep the Wi-Fi router away from the computer; no metal between the receiver and the mouse
- Logitech, Erratic cursor movementlow or dead batteries affect movement; a receiver at the back of the PC can be blocked by the case, move it to a front port
- Logitech, Mouse not working or frequently stops workinglow battery; plug the receiver directly into the computer, not a hub or KVM switch; interference from wireless speakers, PC power supplies, monitors and phones; keep other electrical devices at least 20 cm away
- Vaxee, wireless mouse user guide (XE v2)use the mouse within 20 cm of the dongle and more than 2 m from 2.4 GHz interference sources such as Wi-Fi routers
- Wikipedia, USB 3.0 (color coding)the USB 3.0 specification, section 5.3.1.3, recommends blue (Pantone 300C) for USB 3.0 Standard-A connectors; it is a recommendation, not a requirement
- Wikipedia, Remote controlinfrared remotes use light and need line of sight; radio remotes are a separate kind
- Razer, HyperPolling technologykeep the dongle in line of sight of the mouse, within 30 cm, and away from active USB 3 hubs
- IEEE 802.3ab, How 1000BASE-T worksgigabit Ethernet signals on a 125 MHz clock, far below the 2.4 GHz band