How to Fix Keyboard or Mouse Not Working in Windows

Try these before calling the technician

You’re in the middle of important work when your mouse and keyboard suddenly stop working. What do you do? Panic? Scream? Have a drink?

Don’t call in a technician yet. You can take a few basic steps to fix the problem on your own. In this post, we’ll share some tricks to get your mouse and keyboard working again.

Reboot Your Computer

Have you tried restarting the computer? Sometimes, users get so overwhelmed when faced with computer issues that they forget the most basic troubleshooting step. Take a minute to reboot your PC before doing anything else.

If your mouse isn’t working, you can perform a restart from the Quick Link menu using your keyboard.

Press theWindows key+X, use your keyboard arrow keys to navigate toShut down or sign out>Restart, and pressEnter.

You could also restart your PC from the Shut Down window. Press theWindows key+Dto show your desktop, then pressAlt+F4to open the Shut Down window.

Press the arrow-down key to change the shutdown option toRestart, and pressEnterto reboot your computer.

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

If your physical keyboard doesn’t work after the system reboots, you’ll need a temporary one that works. Fortunately, Windows has a built-in keyboard for such an occasion.

TheOn-Screen Keyboard(OSK) can be accessed by going toWindows Settings>Ease of Access>Keyboard.

UnderUse Your Device Without a Physical Keyboard, switchUse the On-Screen Keyboardto theOnposition.

That’ll open the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK). Use your mouse to type or navigate through Windows as you search for a permanent fix.

Check for Loose Cable Connections

If you’re using a wired mouse or keyboard, ensure the cables aren’t loose or damaged. Check the cables for signs of wear and tear, and ensure they fit securely in your PC’s USB ports. Adjust the cables if dislodged from their designated ports, or remove and reinsert them.

Wireless or Bluetooth accessories mice may malfunction due to low battery or charge. If you’re using a wireless mouse or keyboard, check the battery level and charge it if low. Replace their batteries if they keep turning off or disconnecting from your PC.

You should also ensure that your computer’s Bluetooth is active. Otherwise, your wireless mouse or keyboard won’t connect to your PC.

Press theWindows key+Ato open Action Center and turn on Bluetooth. If you don’t have a functional mouse or trackpad, navigate to Bluetooth using your keyboard arrow keys and pressEnterto turn it on.

If your wireless mouse or keyboard has a transmitter, ensure the transmitter fits securely in your PC’s USB port.

You can try plugging in a different keyboard and mouse. The issue could be software-related if your computer doesn’t respond to any keyboard or mouse. In that case, updating your keyboard and mouse drivers might resolve the problem.

Update or Reinstall Your Keyboard and Mouse Driver

Your mouse and keyboard might stop working if their drivers are corrupt or outdated. Updating your mouse or keyboard drivers in the Windows Device Manager should get them working correctly again.

Uninstall the driver and reboot your computer if Device Manager says you have the best driver for your device. Windows automatically reinstalls the driver(s) when your computer restarts.

Reboot your computer and check if your mouse and keyboard work without issues.

Run the Keyboard and Mouse Troubleshooter

Windows has a troubleshooting tool that deals with the nastiest bugs and errors. It can help fix issues with your USB or wireless keyboard and mouse.

Go toSettings>System>Troubleshoot>Other troubleshootersand select theRunbutton next to “Bluetooth.”

You can also troubleshoot mouse and keyboard issues through theGet Help app. Open the Get Help app, type “mouse troubleshooting” or “keyboard troubleshooting” in the search box, and follow the instructions/recommendations.

In Windows 10, head toSettings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot. UnderFind and Fix Other Problems, selectBluetooth,Keyboard, orHardware and Devices.

SelectRun the Troubleshooterand wait while the troubleshooter finds and fixes issues with your keyboard.

Adjust Your Mouse and Keyboard Properties

Sometimes, your USB or wireless mouse isn’t broken; the settings just need tweaking to work correctly. Sayyour mouse is stuttering, lagging, or responding sluggishly. Adjusting the pointer speed or precision should fix the problem.

Also, modifying your keyboard properties/settings canresolve typing lagandrepeating keys.

Press theWindows key+Rto open the Windows Run box. Typecontrol mousein the dialog box and pressEnteror selectOK.

You’ll find several customizable settings in the “Mouse Properties” window. Switch to different tabs to adjust mouse features like scroll speed, (left and right) button functions, double-click speed, etc.

If your mouse speed is slow, open thePointer Optionstab and tune the speed to your preference.

To access the Keyboard Properties window, typecontrol keyboardin the Run box, and pressEnteror selectOK.

The Keyboard Properties window has options to adjust your keyboard’s repeat rate and delay. Experiment and play around with these settings until you find a sweet spot.

Get Your Keyboard and Mouse Working

Hopefully, one of these troubleshooting steps will resolve keyboard or mouse malfunctions on your Windows PC.Perform a System Restoreif the issue persists, especially if your keyboard or mouse stopped working after installing an app or Windows Update.

Christopher Jan Benitez is a freelance writer for hire who provides actionable and useful web content to small businesses and startups. In his spare time, he religiously watches professional wrestling and finds solace in listening to ’80s speed metal.Read Christopher’s Full Bio

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How to Fix Keyboard or Mouse Not Working in Windows#

Reboot Your Computer#

Use the On-Screen Keyboard#

Check for Loose Cable Connections#

Update or Reinstall Your Keyboard and Mouse Driver#

Run the Keyboard and Mouse Troubleshooter#

Adjust Your Mouse and Keyboard Properties#

Get Your Keyboard and Mouse Working#

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