Fix: Logitech Unifying Receiver not Working

A Logitech Unifying Receiver is a small USB device that allows wireless communication between Logitech peripherals like keyboards and mice and your computer. When it stops working, these devices become unresponsive, often due to the receiver not being detected by the operating system.

This can result from outdated drivers, USB port interference, especially from USB 3.0 ports, or corrupted Logitech software. Notably, after a Windows Update (KB4074588), many users reported that their Logitech Unifying Receiver stopped working, preventing them from connecting their Logitech peripherals. Common fixes include connecting the receiver to a USB 2.0 port and updating system drivers to resolve the issue.

Before we start with the solutions, make sure that you have administrator access on your computer and the Unifying Receiver is not broken physically. Moreover, make sure your all chipset drivers are installed. Also, check if your system’s firmware/BIOS is updated to the latest build.

Also, check if your dongle’s connections are not loose. Steps can be summarized as:

1. Take the dongle’s black cap off.
2. Now make the contact points closer either by sticking a piece of paper inside or by pressing the points
3. Then stick the cap back on to dongle.

Solution 1: Install Unifying Software

The first and foremost step which you should try is installing the unifying software on your computer. To guarantee smooth operation, Logitech specifically a software which makes sure that there are correct drivers installed as well as the device is syncing properly.

1. Navigate to the official Logitech Unifying Software website and download the application for Windows in an accessible location.

   

2. After downloading the executable, install it on your computer.
3. After the application is installed, restart your computer. After restarting, right-click on the application and select Run as administrator.

Now try connecting your Logitech peripherals and check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 2: Copy the Driver File

If the unifying receiver is not working, you should check if you have the driver file installed on your computer. Each version of Windows has a proper USB driver which allows for communication devices such as Logitech Unifying Receiver to work on your computer. If these drivers are missing, you will not be able to operate the device.

1. Press Windows + E and navigate to the following file path:

C:\Windows\INF

2. Now search for the following two drivers on your computer:

   usb.inf
   
   usb.PNF

   

   If these files are already present, you can continue troubleshooting.

   If they are not present or you suspect they are corrupt, you can cut/paste them to an accessible location (in case we need to replace them) and download fresh drivers from (here).

3. Restart your computer after installing and check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 3: Uninstall Problematic Software

There were also several cases where users reported that other third-party applications conflicted with the receiver module and forced it not to work. This can include applications that are similar to Unifying software.

One noticeable application was MotioninJoy. You can also troubleshoot by uninstalling other similar applications from your computer.

1. Press Windows + R, type “appwiz.cpl” in the dialogue box and press Enter.
2. Once in the application manager, right-click on the software which you think is conflicting and select Uninstall.

   

3. Restart your computer properly and check if the issue is resolved.
4. If not, then you should delete the driver files of the conflicting apps. You may follow instructions according to the conflicting app, we will walk you through the uninstallation of drivers installed by MotionInJoy application.
5. Press Windows key and type Device Manager. Then in the results displayed, click on Device Manager.
6. Now find all devices related to MotioninJoy, right-click on the devices one by one and then Uninstall them.
7. When uninstalling, click the checkbox of Delete the driver software for this device and then click on Uninstall.

   

8. Now press Windows key and type Regedit. Now in the results, right-click on Registry Editor and select Run as Administrator.

   

9. In the registry editor, click on the Edit menu and then click on Find.

   

10. In the registry editor search, type DS3 and press Enter.
11. Now right-click on all the DS3 files one by one and then click on Delete.
12.  Now unplug the Logitech dongle and restart your system.
13. After the system is restarted, plug-in the Logitech dongle and check if it is functioning fine.

Solution 4: Use SetPoint

Another workaround that works for some users was using the SetPoint software from Logitech. SetPoint is an application that allows people to customize mouse buttons and keyboard keys in addition to configuring other device settings. According to them, installing SetPoint automatically detected the peripherals connected.

1. Navigate to the official Logitech SetPoint website and download the application.

   

2. After installing, restart your computer. Now right-click on the application and click Run as administrator. Hopefully, you will hear a sound that new devices are connected. Then you will be asked using on-screen instructions to turn the mouse on and off.

Solution 5: Power Cycle your Computer

If all the above methods don’t work, we can try power cycling your computer properly. Power Cycling is an act of completely draining your computer’s power so all the temporary configurations can get reset. This will solve the problem if your computer is in an error state.

1. Turn off your computer normally using Shut down.
2. Now take out all peripherals connected to your system. This includes USB hubs as well.
3. Now take out the power cable of the computer and keep pressing the power button for at least 30 seconds. If you are using a laptop, unmount battery for 30 seconds.
4. Now, wait for 5 – 10 minutes before plugging everything back in. Check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 6: Uninstall Problematic Windows Update

If you have exhausted all the possible workarounds for your Logitech Unifying Receiver, we can go ahead and uninstall the problematic Windows Update. There were lots of users who complained that their device became unusable after a Windows Update was installed on the computer.

1. Press Windows + R, type “appwiz.cpl” in the dialogue box and press Enter.

   

2. Once in the application manager, click View installed updates present at the left side of the screen.

   

3. Now search for the following update on your installed list.

KB4074588

If you see the update, right-click on it and select Uninstall.

After uninstalling the update, restart your computer properly. Check if you can use your Unifying device properly. If you can, you can head over to Microsoft’s official website and download a hotfix for preventing driver updates from reinstalling. Make sure that you run the hotfix using administrator privileges.

Solution 7: Disabling the Power Saving for USB

If your device is working but it stops working in the middle of something while using your mouse, it’s possible that you are suffering from a Power Saving feature by Windows. It basically stops the driver to increase your battery life.

1. Press and hold the Windows key then press X, now click “Device Manager”.
2. Once the Device Manager is opened, find your Logitech driver in the USB Section.
3. Right-click on the driver and go to “Properties”.
   
4. Now head over to the “Power Management” tab and untick all the options there.

   

5. Restart your computer and check to see if the issue persists.

If none of these fixes helped you at all, it’s possible that the port you are plugging the dongle in is not working properly. We suggest you try changing the port and check if the issue persists. If it does persist you can try to install the USB drivers provided by your device manufacturer, especially if you have a Laptop you should try downloading the USB driver provided on their website, it might be a bit older but it will be stable and work with your device as it should. If that doesn’t help you as well, it’s possible that it’s the issue with the dongle itself and you will have to contact Logitech support through their ticket system (here).