Interkhan – The Care & Feeding of your Apple Computer

Why won't my wireless mouse pair with my Mac?


Put the wireless mouse as close to the computer as possible when you try to pair it. If you have a PowerMac G5 or a MacPro, hold the mouse in front of the Mac, in front of the optical drive and the power button. After you pair the mouse, you can move the mouse where you want to use it, usually without problems.

Bluetooth seems to be sensitive to range when you first pair devices. After pairing, the range is 15-30 feet, depending on interference. When pairing, proximity seems to help the devices find each other.

Check the stupid stuff too: that the mouse has good batteries, that the switch for pairing is engaged, and that the pairing light on the bottom of the mouse is flashing. If not, the problem could be with the mouse or the bluetooth board in the Mac. Try a different wireless mouse or bluetooth device (borrow one from a friend). If you can't pair that mouse either, then


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