Do All HP Wireless Mouses & Keyboards Work on the Same Receiver?
By Ashley Poland
The type of receiver a wireless mouse or keyboard uses depends on the device and wireless technology. Not all HP wireless devices use the same receivers. Older devices may use standalone USB adapters, which do not work with others; combination keyboard and mouse sets may use a specific wireless receiver. However, HP introduced a unified wireless standard for many peripherals in 2011, called the Link-5 technology.
HP Link-5 Technology
HP's proprietary Link-5 technology allows up to five compatible HP devices to connect to a single receiver. The Link-5 receivers are marked with a specific icon. The technology uses 2.4 Ghz wireless and works with specifically marked models of keyboards and mouses. Once paired, devices connect to the receiver automatically when powered on. If you are not sure if the device uses Link-5, check the user guide for details on the wireless type.
Bluetooth
Other than HP's Link-5 receivers, the only other universal receiver type used by HP devices is Bluetooth, which is a standard for many wireless peripheral manufacturers, not just HP. Several of HP's mouses and keyboards opt for Bluetooth, such as the HP K4000 Bluetooth Keyboard. These take advantage of the built-in Bluetooth in many computers and mobile devices, without taking up a USB port.
Combination Sets
If a wireless mouse and keyboard came as a set then both devices use the same receiver. In some cases this is done with intent to reduce interference; the HP QY449AA Wireless Keyboard and Mouse set is intended for office use, where several computers may use wireless peripherals. The receiver on such sets works only with the model of keyboard and mouse it was made with.
Standalone Devices
Not all HP keyboards and mouses have a universal technology, like Bluetooth or the Link-5 receiver technology. For instance, the HP Z3000 Wireless Mouse must use the included USB receiver, rather than connecting to a Link-5 receiver. HP devices purchased before the Link-5 release in 2011 also do not have access to the Link-5 technology, and must use individual or group receivers.
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Writer Bio
Ashley Poland has been writing since 2009. She has worked with local online businesses, supplying print and web content, and pursues an active interest in the computer, technology and gaming industries. In addition to content writing, Poland is also a fiction writer. She studied creative writing at Kansas State University.