Which Wireless Mouse Do You Have?
You might think there’s only one kind of wireless mouse, the kind that doesn’t need a wire! However, there are two types of wireless technology manufacturers use to create wireless mice. The wireless mouse you choose will affect how you connect it to your Chromebook.
Bluetooth Mouse: These mice communicate to your computer via Bluetooth protocol and don’t require any USB receiver to work. Radio Frequency (RF) Mouse: These mice use an RF transmitter (in the mouse) and receiver (plugged into your USB port) to bypass the need for any wires.
Either type of wireless mouse will work with your Chromebook since most Chromebook devices include Bluetooth capability, and they also have plenty of USB ports. However, if you’d prefer using your Chromebook’s USB port for other devices, then the Bluetooth wireless mouse might be the best option.
Connect a Bluetooth Mouse to a Chromebook
If you have a wireless Bluetooth mouse, connecting it to your Chromebook is as simple as connecting any other Bluetooth device.
Turn over your Bluetooth mouse and find the power switch. Make sure it’s turned to ON. You should see the optical light turn on (usually red). Place the mouse back flat on your mouse pad. RinoCdZ\Getty Images On your Chromebook, select the lower right corner of the taskbar. In the window that pops up, select the Bluetooth icon. If the Bluetooth status is currently off, enable the toggle switch to enable Bluetooth. Once enabled, you’ll see a scanning status as your Chromebook looks for active, nearby Bluetooth devices. When your wireless mouse appears, you can select it to pair and connect to it. If your Bluetooth mouse doesn’t appear, try turning the mouse off and back on again. You might also disable Bluetooth on your Chromebook and then reenable it again as well. Sometimes Bluetooth connections can be tricky to establish the first time, but once you’ve paired your mouse with your Chromebook, they’ll automatically connect later. Once your Chromebook has made its connection with your Bluetooth wireless mouse, you’ll notice the mouse pointer moving when you move your mouse.
Connect a Radio Frequency (RF) Mouse to a Chromebook
The most popular kind of wireless mouse to use with a Chromebook is the RF mouse. These come with a small receiver unit that you can plug directly into the USB port of your Chromebook. There is no configuration necessary. However, you’ll need to make sure to purchase an RF mouse that’s compatible with Chrome OS.
When you purchase your RF mouse, make sure to buy one that’s Works With Chromebook Certified. This certification is essential because no RF mouse that requires the installation of driver software will work on a Chromebook (since you can’t install driver software). Your mouse will come with a small USB receiver. Plug this small receiver into any USB port on your Chromebook. MyImages_Micha\Getty Images Turn your mouse over and turn the power switch to ON. Once the mouse connects to the USB receiver, you should be able to start using it immediately without any further setup required. Many wireless accessory manufacturers use a “unifying receiver. " This single USB receiver can receive input from multiple wireless devices made by the same manufacturer. It’s often a good idea to use this setup if you have limited USB ports.
