Logitech Unifying Receiver Not Detected in Windows 11/10 [Solved]

If you have a Logitech wireless mouse, and you get a message saying Device driver software was not successfully installed when you plug your unifying receiver into your PC, you’re not alone. Many Windows are reporting this problem as well. But no worries, this is not at all a hard problem to fix.

If you’re bugged by this problem, don’t worry. Many Windows users are able to resolve it with one of the following solutions. You may not have to try them all; just work your way down until you find the one that works. 

Try these fixes, one at a time

1. Some quick checkups
2. Copy the driver file from a well-functioning computer
3. Remove possible conflict applications
4. Update mouse and USB drivers
5. Run Logitech Unifying Receiver as administrator
6. Perform a hard reset

Some quick checkups

Before we move further, here are some quick checks that you can do to see if it helps to fix the Logitech Unifying receiver not detected issue:

1. Restart your computer.
2. Ensure that your Unifying receiver is plugged into a working USB port. If you’re using a desktop computer, try the USB ports on the back of your computer. If you’re using any USB hub or docking station, please plug the unifying receiver directly into your computer instead.
3. If you have a second computer, try the unifying receiver on that device and see if it helps. If the same receiver works on neither device, it’s possible that the receiver itself is at fault. In that case, you can buy a new one instead.
4. Reinstall Logi Options+.
5. Make sure your Logitech Unifying software is updated to the latest version.

1: Copy the driver file from a well-functioning computer

If your current PC lacks the needed driver file, your mouse receiver won’t work as well as it should. To fix it: 

1. Go to C:\Windows\inf\ to find the usb.PNF and usb.inf files. If you can see them on your current PC, then move on to the methods below. 
   
2. If you can’t see them, copy them from another computer whose USB receiver is working properly and paste them onto this folder. 
3. If you don’t have another computer, see if you can find them via this path C:\Windows\ System32. 
4. If you can find the usb.inf and usb.PNF files, still, copy and paste them to the folder C:\Windows\inf\. 

See if your Logitech Unifying Receiver can be detected now. If not, please move on.

2: Remove possible conflict applications

If you have MotionInJoy installed on your PC, it could be the culprit. It’s reported to conflict with Logitech unifying receiver. You can remove it: 

1. On your keyboard, hold down the Windows logo key and press R to open the Run window. Then type in control and hit Enter to open the Control Panel. 
   
2. View by Category and click Uninstall a program. 
   
3. Right-click MotionInJoy and click Uninstall. 
   
4. Create a system restore point as instructed here: How to enable and create restore points in Windows 10 (the screenshots here are from Windows 10, but the instructions work on Windows 11 as well).
5. On your keyboard, press the Windows key and the R key together. Type regedit and hit Enter.
   
6. On your keyboard, press the Ctrl key and F at the same time to open a search window. Type DS3. 
   
7. Delete all the DS3 files that you can see, especially the DS3.exe file.
   
8. Unplug your Logitech Unifying Receiver. 
9. Restart your computer and then plug in your Logitech Unifying Receiver. 
10. Wait for Windows Update to help you find the correct driver. 

If the Logitech Unifying receiver remains undetected, please move on to the next fix below.

3: Update Mouse and USB Drivers

One of the most common causes of an unresponsive keyboard is an outdated mouse or USB driver. 

There are two ways you can get the right drivers for your mouse and USB port: manually or automatically. 

Manual driver update – You can update your drivers manually by going to the manufacturer’s website and searching for the most recent correct driver. Note that for your USB driver, you may need to try both the manufacturer of your PC and also the manufacturer of your USB port’s chipset. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your variant of Windows. 

Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for your exact mouse and USB port, and your variant of Windows 10, and it will download and install them correctly.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the 7 days free trial or the Pro version of Driver Easy. It takes just 2 clicks, and you get full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee with the Pro version:

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
   
3. Click the Activate & Update button next to the flagged device to automatically download and install the correct version of this driver.
   
   Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (You’ll need the Pro version for this – when you select Update All, you’ll get a prompt to upgrade. If you’re not prepared to purchase the Pro version yet, Driver Easy provides a 7-day trial at no cost, granting access to all Pro features like fast downloads and easy installation. No charges will occur until after your 7-day trial period ends.)
   
4. After updating, restart your computer to take effect.

4: Run Logitech Unifying Receiver as administrator

Granting Logitech Unifying receiver, the software, with full system permissions also helped to fix the receiver not detected issue for some users. To see if this does wonders for you as well:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. 
   
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices, right-click the HID-compliant mouse and click Disable.
    
3. Download Logitech Unifying Software. After the download, right-click the icon and click Run as administrator.
   
4. After the installation, right-click Logitech Unifying Software in the Start panel and click Run as administrator. 
   
5. Your Logitech receiver should be able to work now. If not, please move on.

See if your Logitech Unifying Receiver can be detected now. If not, please move on.

5: Perform a hard reset

Note: When performing a hard reset, you must disconnect or remove all peripheral devices. You should start and test the computer by itself, and then reconnect one peripheral device at a time.

1. Turn off your computer. 
2. Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station.
3. Disconnect all external connected peripheral devices such as USB storage devices, external displays, and printers.
4. Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
5. Remove the battery from the battery compartment (If you are using a laptop).
6. Press and hold down the Power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual electrical charge from the capacitors that protect the memory. 
7. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook computer, but do not connect any of the peripheral devices.
8. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
9. If a startup menu opens, use the arrow keys to select Start Windows Normally, and then press the Enter key.
10. After reconnecting each of the peripheral devices, run Windows Update to update all device drivers. 

Hope one of the solutions above helps to fix the Logitech Unifying Receiver not detected on Windows problem for you. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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