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Question

Bluetooth Mice Losing Connection in Certain Areas

Jan 6, 2014 3:18AM PST

Okay, so this is an issue that I am absolutely baffled about. So, I have an Acer Iconia W3 tablet that I use with a Bluetooth Keyboard Dock, and have been trying to use Bluetooth mice with.

I have both the HP x4000b and the Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630. The Logitech works marvelously when I use it....except at my apartment.

When I use it at my apartment, it glitches. It will lag with mouse movement and will just stop working entirely within about 10 minutes of being turned on. I also find myself re-pairing the device almost every time I try to use it.

If I use it elsewhere? In the car, at work, at my family's place, at a restaurant, it works perfectly. No problems. I can use it for 8 hours straight at work without a single problem.

I initially thought it might happen when it is connected to Wifi. So, I ran Wifi at work and used it for a couple hours. No issues.

I know it sounds silly, but could there be something at the apartment complex that is glitching this mouse?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Could be many other PCs in that area.
Jan 7, 2014 12:29AM PST

The airwaves can get crowded and equipment to test that is too expensive. Try fresh batteries just in case.
Bob

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A little more insight.
Jan 10, 2014 2:31AM PST

Thanks for the feedback. I did some testing and I figured out that it is Wi-Fi, somewhat. It seems to do this whenever it is on certain Wi-Fi connections. I tested it at work, the apartment, my family's place, and some Wi-Fi connections cause no issues and others cause this issues.

My Cincinnati Bell Router at the Apartment causes this issue.
My family's Mifi 2200 through Verizon also causes this problem.
My iPhone 4's Personal Hotspot (through Verizon) does not cause this problem.

It got me a little confused since both my IP4 and my family's Mifi are through Verizon yet one causes the glitch and the other doesn't. Any ideas?

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Yes.
Jan 10, 2014 3:45AM PST

If you look at the channels WiFi uses, if the systems are on 802.11n the span is huge and can crowd out BlueTooth. Link about that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

If such pulled back to 802.11g you often find no speed loss and better coverage as noted at:
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7585_102-602528/how-to-create-a-wireless-network-for-a-large-house/?tag=contentBody;threadListing

BlueTooth "The protocol operates in the license-free ISM band at 2.402-2.480 GHz.[62] "

WiFi channel 1 is 2.412 with a standard 22MHz spead which easily reaches down to the BlueTooth lower end.
And up to 2.492 on the highest WiFi channel so there is no real open space if a pair of 802.11n routers are in the area.

Since you can't change your BT dongle and try a newer BT version this is all just an exercise to know why but as designed it's a mess as WiFi went past 802.11g,
Bob

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Only Mice?
Jan 10, 2014 7:18AM PST

Thanks a lot for the info. Could this, for example, only cause problems for mice? I use an Iconia W3 and have never had problems using my Bluetooth Keyboard for it on these connections.

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The BT keyboard I use is so close that your observation
Jan 10, 2014 7:35AM PST
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W3 Keyboard and Power Cord Having to Do with it?
Jan 10, 2014 12:23PM PST
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That's RF for you.
Jan 11, 2014 12:25AM PST

It's a soup of signals and if you move, even a few inches the answer can change. Same thing with a cable. Can be very spooky to folk that didn't take a lot of physics and electronics classes.

It may seem odd but to explain it I head to a pond and drop pebbles or we make waves and observe then talk about what we see. It's a class exercise.
Bob