Logitech Transceiver and USB 3.0 details
Logitech Transceiver and USB 3.0 details
Bear with me please.
I was a Network Administrator for 43 years: Lockheed, Raytheon and Qualcomm. I have deployed hundreds of Servers from the box to the Racks. I have a Grandson starting college in a few weeks, so I purchased him a Lenovo Laptop Workstation. These were used by the 200 Engineers for which I was sole support for at Qualcomm who were finalizing and fine-tuning development of 5G, albeit the Server Infrastructure was HP, There's a point to this.
In setting up this Thinkpad I have never run into such petty and stupid issues that are really testing my patience.
I purchased him a Logitech MK540 Keyboard and Mouse. Simple enough to setup: plug the Transceiver into the USB port, load the software and done.
NOT.
Logitech in their wisdom apparently never realized that the USB 3.0 port and the 2.4GHz of the Transceiver collide. Symptoms include though not limited to jerky mouse movements, freezing cursor, up to complete disconnection of the Mouse. It's impact on the Keyboard, or so I have read, are buffered keystrokes. Again, some have this problem and some do not.
From reading on the Internet, the fix is a USB 2.0 cable to put distance from the Transceiver and the 3.0 Port. Transceiver in one end, the other into the USB 3.0 port. Some people have had no problem without the cable, others have. Several have mentioned that Logitech will send the cable for free.
Has anyone here experienced these issues with the Logitech Mouse and/or Keyboard with the Transceiver in a USB3.0 Port?
Many thanks,
Lyman
What is the model and SKU for your Lenovo laptop?
Are you referring to a specific version of the same laptop you're working with? This is important because internal components and part numbers differ across brands and models. The problem might lie in how close the dongle is to the network adapter or its manufacturing quality. You can check this by turning off or removing the wireless networking adapter and observing if the issue continues.
Has anyone encountered similar problems with the Logitech Mouse and/or Keyboard using the Transceiver in a USB3.0 port?
I've faced this issue with Logitech products, which led me to stop using them entirely. I stopped using them in 2015.
Moved thread from Components section to Computer Peripherals section.
Consider trying any available USB extension cables. This may increase the distance between devices.
I have two desktops with Logitech dongles—one in a rear USB 2.0 port and another in a front USB 3.0 port. Both use the same keyboard and mouse combos, and no port issues have been reported.
I’ve experienced more problems with Logitech drivers and their bundled software. I tend to avoid installing anything unless it’s essential.
This is especially true for web-based tools that work across all hardware and software.
Additionally, the keyboard letters wear out quickly. I replaced a keyboard at a discount after sending photos to prove the purchase.
If my current keyboards or mice become unreliable, I’m unlikely to buy Logitech again.
I steer clear of anything that isn't essential there.
SMART.
Thanks a lot, Lyman.
Numerous appreciations have been received. The setup is a ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Intel (16″) Mobile Workstation. Among the issues I've encountered, no specific brand, model, or SKU has been mentioned.
From Logitech, it seems they are addressing concerns about compatibility with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, noting that interference from the radio receiver can lead to performance problems. Solutions include switching to a USB 2.0 port, using a USB extender, or properly pairing devices.
Testing the previous method involves turning off or removing the wireless adapter on the laptop to observe if the problem continues.
You're right, I could try that. Disabling it would work, but leaving it would not. After 43 years of troubleshooting, those days are behind me. I'll return it to Amazon and choose a different brand.
Thanks for your feedback!
Lyman
You might consider employing a USB2 port, though the laptop may lack one. Any USB2 or USB3 connection would suffice. I should mention that on an older setup with a wireless keyboard and mouse on a separate desktop using two USB dongles, we had to direct both through the front of the case—one in a case-front socket and the other via an extension cable from a rear socket—since the desktop's case shielded the radio signals.
Thanks, Paperdoc. Logitech has been around for 41 years, and I've relied on their products for many years. It's hard to understand why they dropped this from their radar. The keyboard and mouse I bought are for my grandson who starts college in August and is studying Engineering. He needs nothing more than to be working on a CAD design or taking notes without the cursor moving wildly or disconnecting. Not worth the risk.
If it were MickeySoft, I'd say they released it as Beta, kept quiet about the issues, and saved money by letting the end user report the problems. 43 years as a Network Administrator for three Fortune-500 companies, I've seen this before—especially with Server 2000. Setting up DNS was way easier than figuring out the setup.
Logitech tech support recommended a 2' to 3' cable, but not shorter than 2'. 😄
It's going to be a wired mouse and keyboard.
Thanks!
Wired mouse and keyboard offer a solid choice for dependability, though it requires two cables. It seems there’s a reason not to use the laptop’s keyboard or touchpad occasionally. A note: if USB ports are limited, a basic USB hub can link both devices to one port. Each device consumes minimal power, making a hub without its own power source and depending only on the original port ideal. Standard USB2 ports provide up to 0.5 A at 5 VDC; USB3 supports up to 0.9 A. Even the USB2 limit is adequate for connecting a keyboard and mouse.
I sincerely apologize for missing this! Thanks for your feedback!
In the end, I purchased a wired mouse, a non-powered Hub, and a powered Hub if needed. He prefers a mouse over a keyboard, especially for CAD work, since the built-in TrackPoint doesn't match the precision of a mouse.
The main challenge was locating a drive that supports Type C—there are several ports on the Lenovo ThinkPad, including one USB-C 3.0, two USB-C 3.0 Thunderbolt4, but drives aren’t easily available. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
All the Best,
Lyman
Initially, when selecting an external hard drive to link via USB3 ports on a laptop without requiring its own power source, make sure it is explicitly designed for that purpose. These devices are often referred to as "Laptop Hard Drives," and they function by employing a smaller-capacity drive unit with reduced performance and limited storage space, allowing the motor components to operate within the available power from a single USB3 port (typically 5 VDC at up to 0.90 A). These units generally do not include an additional power supply module and lack a connector for direct connection. Be mindful that such drives will consume the full power capacity of the port, preventing other devices from being connected simultaneously. Also, exercise caution with powered USB3 hubs that provide their own power supply; they cannot meet the maximum power demand of all ports at once, though this is not an issue here.
If you purchase a hard drive that isn’t marketed for laptop use and relies solely on USB3 connection—usually intended for desktop systems with its own power source—the same applies: it can be connected via an USB3 cable, but you must also supply its power unit. For data transfer, the drive will connect through an USB3 cable, yet you’ll still need to attach its power adapter, as the USB3 port alone cannot provide sufficient voltage.
If the drive comes with a detachable cable ending in a USB3 connector, simply purchase a new cable with Type C connectors on both ends. Alternatively, if the drive uses a fixed cable, obtain an adapter that transforms the laptop’s Type C port into a USB3 Type A socket. An example link is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Anker-Hig...200&sr=8-3