If you’re scratching your head about where to plug in your keyboard and mouse on a PC, you’re definitely not alone. Lots of folks—especially when setting up a new desktop or just swapping devices—want to get it right.

Connect your keyboard and mouse to the USB ports on your PC tower—either at the front or the back. For a tidier workspace and to keep cables out of sight, it’s best to use the USB ports on the back of your PC.

If you’ve got an older keyboard or mouse, you might see those round PS/2 ports. The keyboard usually goes in the purple port, and the mouse into the green one.

These ports look almost identical, but they aren’t interchangeable. USB connections have taken over, though, because you can stick either device in any USB slot, and it just works.

Where to Plug in Your Keychron Keyboard and Mouse on PC

Keychron Q4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

When you set up your Keychron keyboard and mouse, you want to connect them the right way. The best port or method depends on whether you’re using a USB cable, Bluetooth, or a wireless receiver.

Quick Answer: How to Connect Your Keychron Keyboard and Mouse

Keychron keyboards and mice usually offer a couple of connection options. Most models let you use them wired or wirelessly.

• For a wired setup, just use the USB cable.
• For wireless, you can go with Bluetooth or the little 2.4GHz USB receiver.

Wired connections tend to give you less input lag. Wireless, though, is just so much tidier—no cables everywhere. It really comes down to what matters more to you.

Which Ports to Use for Keychron Keyboards and Mice (USB, Bluetooth, Wireless Receiver)

If you’re using a USB cable, plug it into any standard USB port on your PC. Don’t stress about the color or type—any USB-A port works fine.

For the 2.4GHz receiver, just stick that tiny USB dongle into any open USB port. It looks like a little USB stick. Skip the old PS/2 ports; Keychron doesn’t use those.

If you’re going with Bluetooth, make sure your PC has Bluetooth turned on. No port needed there, but your computer has to support Bluetooth.

Step-by-Step: Connecting Your Keychron Keyboard and Mouse to a PC

1. Wired Connection (USB):

• Grab the USB cable from the box.
• Plug one end into your keyboard or mouse, and the other into a USB port on your PC.
• If you want to charge, leave it plugged in.

• Plug the receiver into any free USB port.
• Switch on your device using the button underneath or on the side.
• Your PC should spot it right away.

• Charge up your device and turn it on.
• Switch mode toggle to Bluetooth until the light starts blinking.
• On your PC, open Bluetooth settings and pick “Add a device.”
• Select your Keychron from the list.

Some Keychron keyboards have a little system switch for Windows or Mac. Flip it to match your computer before you pair everything up.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Your Keychron Keyboard or Mouse Isn’t Working

If your device isn’t working, check the cable or receiver first. Sometimes the cable’s loose or the USB port is acting up.

Try a different USB port if you can. For wireless devices, double-check the battery and recharge if it’s low.

Try moving your device closer to the receiver or Bluetooth adapter. If you’re using Bluetooth, make sure your PC’s Bluetooth is on and not in airplane mode.

If your PC doesn’t see the device, restart both your PC and the keyboard or mouse, then try pairing again.

Still stuck? Download the latest drivers from the Keychron site and update your PC’s firmware. Some advanced Keychron features only work through a wired or receiver connection, not Bluetooth.

Conclusion

Plugging your keyboard and mouse into the right ports matters more than you’d think. For most modern PCs, just use any open USB port—front or back, whatever’s handy.

If you still use a PS/2 keyboard or mouse, plug those into the color-coded round ports on the back. Purple’s for the keyboard, green’s for the mouse.

Some monitors toss in a USB hub, which is handy. But honestly, plugging your keyboard and mouse straight into your PC is usually faster and a bit more reliable.

If you’re building or upgrading, I’d suggest plugging into the motherboard USB ports on the back. That way, you keep the front ports free for stuff you swap a lot, like flash drives or headphones.

Wireless keyboards and mice? Just plug their little USB receiver into any open port. Most systems pick them up instantly—no extra drivers needed.

If your keyboard or mouse suddenly stops working, check the connections. Sometimes, just switching to another USB port fixes things.

Want to get even more out of your setup? Read our guides: How To Use Launcher To Program Your Keyboard and How to Choose A Custom Mechanical Keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What port should I plug my keyboard and mouse into?

Just use any open USB port on your PC for your keyboard and mouse. You’ll find ports on the back and front of most towers, or on the sides of laptops.

Some PCs label or color their USB ports, but your keyboard and mouse will work in any of them.

How do you connect a keyboard and mouse to a PC?

For wired devices, plug the USB connector into a USB port. Windows and most operating systems pick these up right away, so you don’t need extra software for basic use.

For wireless devices, you usually need a USB receiver. Plug that in, power up the device, and you’re set.

Where to connect wired keyboard to PC?

Plug a wired keyboard into any USB port on your PC. You’ll spot these on the back, front, or on the sides of laptops.

If you’re using an older PS/2 keyboard, look for the purple port on the back. But most new PCs just use USB now.

What port should I plug my keyboard and mouse into?

Any open USB port works for both your keyboard and mouse. The USB port’s speed (USB 2.0 or 3.0) doesn’t really matter for these devices.

If your computer has both USB-A and USB-C ports, make sure your cable matches the port shape.

Where to plug in wireless mouse on PC?

Plug the wireless mouse’s receiver into any open USB port—front, back, or side, whatever’s easiest to reach.

Some mice use Bluetooth instead of a receiver. For those, just turn on Bluetooth on your PC and pair the mouse in your computer’s settings.

Which port is used to connect keyboard?

Most modern keyboards plug right into a standard USB port. You’ll spot these rectangular ports on basically every PC out there.

Some older keyboards use the round PS/2 port, which is usually purple. But honestly, almost every new keyboard and computer sticks with USB these days.