Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to increase the distance at which you can reliably use your wireless keyboard and mouse. While most wireless keyboards and mice have a maximum effective working distance of about 30 feet, it can be difficult to reach even a third of that distance due to obstructions or interference.

To step

1. Find out what the problem is with the range of your mouse and keyboard. If you're having trouble trying to get your mouse or keyboard to work from more than a few feet away, research the following common issues before proceeding:
   • Inexpensive keyboard or mouse - Cheap wireless devices generally have less range compared to higher quality products.
   • Old hardware - If your mouse, keyboard and / or computer are more than a few years old, you will likely experience reduced performance. You may be able to compensate for this by updating your computer and downloading the latest mouse and / or keyboard drivers from the manufacturer's website.
   • Dead batteries or charge - In addition to the loss of range, your mouse and / or keyboard will work erratically or stop working completely if the battery charge is too low.
2. Replace the current batteries with new, durable batteries. Use high-quality batteries for your mouse and keyboard - if the manufacturer recommends a specific brand, give it a try. New batteries almost always improve the range of your mouse and keyboard.
   • If your mouse or keyboard uses a charger instead of replaceable batteries, fully charge your devices before continuing.
   • For keyboards with wired chargers, it is best to leave the keyboard in the charger consistently.
3. Make sure nothing is between you and the wireless receiver. The wireless receiver - that is, the USB chip that plugs into your computer - isn't powerful enough to transmit adequately through walls or furniture. You must have a clear line of sight from both the mouse and the keyboard to the respective wireless receivers on your computer.
4. Remove other USB devices from your computer. The fewer USB ports you use, the more power your computer has. If you have a printer, flash drive, external drive, or other similar wired USB device connected to your computer, you will need to disconnect it from your computer when using your mouse and keyboard.
   • This is also where having an up-to-date computer helps, as older operating systems may not use USB ports as efficiently as newer ones.
5. Keep devices away from the wireless mouse, keyboard, and receiver that can interfere with range. In addition to removing any obstacles between you and the wireless receiver, you should also keep other electrical devices away from the signal. Devices to watch out for are:
   • Wireless devices (e.g. tablets, smartphones, baby monitors)
   • Microwave
   • Television
   • Refrigerator
   • Router and modem
   • Other computers
6. Connect your computer to charge it from a free power outlet. Using a free electrical outlet instead of one that other devices or electronics use will keep your computer as far away from interference as possible, and keeping your computer connected ensures that the USB ports on the computer are have constant power instead of relying on the battery.
   • The default settings of many computers reduce power to the USB ports when they are connected to the battery.
7. Point the front of the USB receiver towards your keyboard or mouse. The top of the USB device is usually the front of the receiver itself, meaning the top of the USB item should be facing your mouse or keyboard. Some USB receivers can be rotated, while others require a separate USB cable to run.
   • When purchasing a cable for your USB receiver, make sure the cable is about 12 inches long or shorter. You will need to attach the USB receiver after pointing it at the mouse or keyboard.
8. Use a USB adapter (dongle) for your receiver. If you don't want to use a USB cable to point the receiver to your mouse or keyboard, you can buy a small adapter that plugs the USB receiver into. This increases the distance from the USB receiver to the computer, reducing the resistance of the computer itself and making it easier to connect to the receiver from across the room.
9. Search for amplifiers for your specific keyboard or mouse model. Some keyboard / mouse manufacturers have amplifiers available on their websites or in the store. These amplifiers are larger, more powerful versions of the USB receiver that comes with your wireless device.
   • Not all manufacturers make amplifiers, and those who make them may not have one for your model keyboard or mouse.
10. Buy a better wireless mouse and keyboard. If you can't connect your mouse and keyboard more than a few feet apart, it's time to upgrade. You can buy a more recent version of your current wireless setup, or use a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard combination instead.
    • Switching from wireless to bluetooth will noticeably increase the range of your mouse / keyboard, as fewer devices in your home are likely to use a bluetooth network.

Tips

• Wireless mice and keyboards usually work on a 2.4 gigahertz network, which is a common network for almost every other wireless item in your home. Therefore, it is important to place the wireless receiver as far away from other wireless items as possible.

Warnings

• Although most wireless devices technical Being able to work from a distance of about nine meters, the best performance of your mouse or keyboard will often be less than that.