Bluetooth mice are popular peripherals due to their wireless and convenient nature. Normally, once paired with a computer, a Bluetooth mouse should automatically connect and work properly. However, sometimes users may face the issue of a "Bluetooth mouse paired but not connected". Here are a few solutions to help fix this problem.

1. Check the Battery and Status of the Bluetooth Mouse

First, make sure the Bluetooth mouse has enough battery power. If the battery is too low, the mouse may not function correctly, even though it's paired. You can check the battery level of your mouse and, if it's running low, recharge or replace the battery before trying to connect it to your computer again.

2. Restart the Bluetooth Service

The connection between Bluetooth devices depends on the Bluetooth service in your operating system. If there's an issue with this service, it may prevent the mouse from connecting to the computer. You can try restarting the Bluetooth service to ensure it's running properly.

Steps:

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type "services.msc", and hit Enter.

In the service list, find "Bluetooth Support Service", right-click it, and select "Restart".

Make sure the startup type for the service is set to "Automatic". If it's not, right-click the service, select "Properties", and change the startup type to "Automatic".

3. Remove and Re-pair the Bluetooth Mouse

If the Bluetooth mouse is paired but still not connecting, the pairing information might be corrupted or misconfigured. In this case, removing the pairing and then re-pairing the mouse can help.

Steps:

Open Settings > Bluetooth & other devices.

Find the Bluetooth mouse that is paired but not connected, and click the "Remove" button next to it.

Switch the mouse to pairing mode and then search for it again on your computer to re-pair it.

4. Update the Bluetooth Driver

The Bluetooth driver acts as a bridge between your computer and the Bluetooth mouse. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, it might prevent successful connections. It's important to make sure the Bluetooth driver is up to date.

You can use the "Driver Sentry" software to automatically scan and update your computer's Bluetooth drivers. It helps not only with Bluetooth drivers but also optimizes the performance of other hardware components to ensure your Bluetooth mouse connects properly.

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Steps:

Open Driver Sentry and click on the "Scan" option to check the status of your drivers.  

If the software detects outdated or damaged drivers, it will recommend updates. Click "Repair Now" to complete the process.  

Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.  

5. Restart Your Computer and Check for System Updates

Sometimes, the operating system itself may have minor glitches or errors that prevent Bluetooth devices from connecting. In such cases, restarting your computer or checking for system updates can be a simple but effective solution.

Steps:

Open Settings > Windows Update and check for available updates.

If there are updates, follow the prompts to install them and restart your computer.

By following these steps, you should be able to solve the issue of a Bluetooth mouse that is paired but not connected, allowing you to use your computer normally again. To minimize such problems in the future, it's recommended to regularly check for driver updates using "Driver Sentry" to keep your computer in good working condition.

See also:

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How to fix missing bluetooth on windows 11

How to Connect Wireless Bluetooth Headphones to a Computer

Fix connections to bluetooth audio devices and wireless displays in windows 10