Wireless Mouse stops working when external HDD plugged in to USB3 port


  1. Posts : 154
    Win 10 Pro X64, Win 10 Home X64, Win 7
       #1

    Wireless Mouse stops working when external HDD plugged in to USB3 port


    I have a minor but annoying problem and can't find a solution....

    My wireless mouse stops working when an external USB3 HDD is plugged in to USB3 port. The mouse is about 3 feet away from the receiver.

    My mouse is a Logitech M310.

    • I don't have the problem if a USB 2 external HDD is connected to either a USB2 or USB3 port.
    • I have moved the mouse receiver to different ports on both the front and back of the computer but this doesn't change anything.
    • If I move the mouse very close to the receiver (a couple of inches), it works so it seems that the wireless range is reduced when the USB3 HDD is plugged in.
    • If I connect a wired mouse, it works fine.
    • I have 2 USB3 ports and the problem is the same on both.
    • If the USB3 HDD is connected to a USB2 port, the mouse works normally.
    • I changed the battery in the mouse but this didn't help.
    • the USB3 HDD is a WD Passport that is self powered through the USB port.


    Any suggestions?
    Last edited by dsscottage; 27 Feb 2019 at 15:53.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,196
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    Have you got a friend's computer you could run a test on.

    I would take mouse, dongle and external drive and test. This would eliminate your rig and point to some defect with the external drive.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 154
    Win 10 Pro X64, Win 10 Home X64, Win 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Caledon Ken said:
    Have you got a friend's computer you could run a test on.

    I would take mouse, dongle and external drive and test. This would eliminate your rig and point to some defect with the external drive.
    I tried it on another computer and it worked flawlessly. It looks like the main computer is the problem but I still don't know how to solve it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #4

    There are known issues with USB3 interfering with 2.4GHz devices: USB 3.0* Radio Frequency Interference on 2.4 GHz Devices

    Especially on older machines where USB3 shielding may not have been a big concern, there's not much you can do aside from trying out different cables. Worst case you can use a USB extension cable to move the wireless dongle closer to your mouse.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 154
    Win 10 Pro X64, Win 10 Home X64, Win 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I guess that I'll just connect the USB 3 HDD to a USB 2 port and sacrifice the speed. That seems like the easiest solution.

    Thank you for all of the responses.
      My Computer


 

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