iMacs and Macbook laptops are some of the most powerful and popular computers on the planet. Apple sells millions of them worldwide each and every year, with more than $9 billion in Macs during 2020 alone.
But Apple computers don’t come with an external mouse. If you want the freedom and flexibility of a mouse, which is needed for certain people, then you’ll have to buy your own mouse.
It’s highly recommended that you use a wireless Magic Mouse, sold by Apple, to reduce the amount of mouse troubleshooting you’ll have to do. However, you can still choose other mouse options if you want to!
Regardless of which mouse you choose, however, you might eventually experience a problem connecting your mouse.
How do you connect a non-wired mouse, and what type of mouse troubleshooting should you know about for Macs? Keep reading to find out.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Mouse
So you brought home your first external mouse to use with your Mac computer? Then you need to connect it via Bluetooth before you can use it.
Here’s what to do.
Physically Connect Your Mouse
The first time that you use a new mouse, even it’s wireless, you’ll want to plug it into your computer. It’s the easiest way to pair the devices together.
You’ll want to use the USB cable that came with the mouse and plug it directly into an older Macbook. If you have a newer Macbook, you’ll need a USB hub that connects to your computer, allowing you to plug in USB cables.
Once plugged in, turn the mouse on.
The mouse and computer should pair automatically. But if it’s an Apple Magic Mouse, you can’t use it while it’s plugged in.
Pair Via Bluetooth
You can also pair your new mouse with your computer without plugging it in. First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer.
On your menu bar, you should see a Bluetooth icon, which you can click to enable. Or, open System Preferences, navigate to Bluetooth, and turn it on.
Then, flip the switch on your mouse to turn it on.
Head back to System preferences and click “Mouse.” Click the button to turn on Bluetooth and pair your mouse. It should find a nearby mouse. Confirm it’s the one you want to pair and click “Pair.”
Your mouse should now be working.
Mouse Troubleshooting When Your Mouse Won’t Connect
So what do you do if your Macbook mouse disappears during use? Or what if it never pairs in the first place? There might be a bigger problem, but one that is easily solved.
Try these wireless mouse troubleshooting steps.
Restart Your Computer
Anytime you run into an issue on your Mac computer, or any computer for that matter, turning it off and turning it back on should be your first step.
Most people leave their computers on for days, if not weeks at a time. This uses up all of the RAM on your computer, essentially clogging up your computer’s ability to process new information.
It can slow down your computer and limit functionality. A good restart will flush the RAM and give you a clean slate to work with. This may solve your issue.
Update Your Operating System
If restarting your computer doesn’t work, then you should scan for any software updates. You should install any new software up[dates to Mac OS as soon as they are available. if you push updates off for a long time, eventually certain functions might not work anymore.
Along with your operating system, you should keep all third-party apps updated to their latest version at all times. If you don’t, outdated software could become a gateway for viruses onto your computer, which can limit functionality as well.
Run Mac Diagnostics
If the problem persists, then it’s time to check beneath the hood. Run a diagnostics test on your Mac, letting it scan itself.
It should generate a report, which you can provide to Apple customer support to see if they can pinpoint the issue they’re having.
You can also use third-party software that cleans your Mac. It will locate and eliminate any viruses or malicious files on your computer that could be causing it to run poorly or block certain functions, such as your mouse or cursor, from working.
Common Mouse Errors to Recognize
If your mouse cursor keeps disappearing and reappearing, then your battery might be dying. Usually, a good Bluetooth mouse acts completely normal until it dies, when you’ll have to stop use and charge it up.
Certain mouses may have flickering power as the battery starts to get close to zero.
Sometimes, you won’t be able to connect a mouse to your computer in the first place because it doesn’t have enough battery power. When you buy a new mouse, make sure to give it a nice long charge before you try connecting it to your Mac.
Not seeing your cursor at all, but swear you charged the battery recently? Check the power switch. It’s easy to turn off accidentally. If the mouse is on, but not connecting, then turn it off and on again to reset it.
Mouse Sensitivity Issues?
Your mouse might be working but just not working well. If you feel like your mouse is moving too fast or too slow, you can adjust the sensitivity settings. Just visit System Preferences, click on “Mouse” and adjust the slider in either direction.
If you feel like certain functions aren’t working well, your mouse may just be dirty. Grease can build up over time, so it’s good to wipe it down on a regular basis. And make sure to keep the table clean and free from crumbs or dust when using our mouse.
Connect Your Mouse (and Troubleshoot) With Ease
Adding an external mouse to your laptop or desktop computer can boost productivity and make the experience much more enjoyable. But every piece of hardware you add to the equation poses its own set of problems.
Refer back to this mouse troubleshooting guide anytime you are facing issues when connecting a mouse to a Mac.
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