Computer Diagnostic

How To Troubleshoot an Unresponsive Mouse and Keyboard

February 14, 2024

How To Troubleshoot an Unresponsive Mouse and Keyboard

Introduction

Having an unresponsive mouse and keyboard can be very frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try to resolve the issue before replacing any hardware. In this article, I will walk through all the potential causes and solutions in depth so you can get your mouse and keyboard working again.

Make Sure Mouse and Keyboard Are Properly Connected

The first thing to check is whether the mouse and keyboard are properly connected to the computer.

For a wired USB mouse and keyboard, check that the USB connectors are fully inserted into the ports on the back of the computer. Try connecting to a different USB port as well.
For a wireless mouse and keyboard, make sure the wireless receiver is plugged into a working USB port. Try moving the receiver to a port closer to the mouse and keyboard.
If using a laptop, check the connections to the built-in keyboard and trackpad.
For any connection, check for physical damage to the cable, ports, or connectors. Frayed cables or bent pins in the port can cause connection issues.

Proper connection is the most basic issue that can lead to an unresponsive mouse and keyboard. Spending a minute to check this can resolve many cases quickly.

Check Mouse and Keyboard With Another Computer

If you have access to another computer, try connecting the mouse and keyboard to it.

If they work on the second computer, then the issue likely lies with the original computer’s USB ports, drivers, or settings.
If they do not work on the second computer either, then the mouse and keyboard themselves may be defective and need replacing.

Testing the devices on another computer helps isolate whether the issue is with the computer or the mouse/keyboard. This is one of the quickest ways to determine the root of the problem.

Check for Faulty USB Ports

If the mouse and keyboard connections are fine, the issue may be due to faulty USB ports on the computer itself.

Try plugging the mouse and keyboard into all available USB ports on the computer. If you find a port that works, the others may be damaged.
Inspect USB ports for any looseness, bent pins, or dirt/debris buildup. Damaged ports can disrupt communication with connected devices.
For desktop PCs, open up the case and check that the USB port connections on the motherboard are secure and not damaged.
Consider using a USB-to-PS/2 adapter to connect a mouse or keyboard via PS/2 ports instead, which operate differently than USB.

Checking multiple USB ports and inspecting their physical condition can help identify faulty port hardware as the culprit.

Update or Reinstall USB Drivers

The USB drivers facilitate communication between connected USB devices and the computer. Outdated or corrupted drivers can make devices appear unresponsive.

Open Device Manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section. If you see any devices with warning marks, the drivers may need updating.
Right-click each USB device and select Update driver. Allow Windows to automatically search and install the latest driver.
If updating does not work, uninstall the USB controllers/hubs/root hubs in Device Manager, restart the computer, and let Windows reinstall fresh versions of the drivers.

Updating USB drivers is quick and easy to do in Device Manager, and often resolves issues like unresponsive USB devices.

Try Different USB Power Settings

In Windows, you can adjust USB power settings to provide devices with more power or allow Windows to selectively suspend them to save power. An incorrect setting can make devices unresponsive.

Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Change plan settings.
Click Change advanced power settings. In the USB settings section, expand the USB selective suspend setting.
Change this to Disabled to prevent selective suspension of USB devices.
You can also try changing the USB selective suspend setting to Enabled, and increasing the delay before suspension to a higher value.

Adjusting power settings essentially resets and reinitializes the USB ports, which may clear any issues making devices unresponsive.

Check for Interference of Wireless Devices

For wireless mice and keyboards, signal interference can disrupt normal operation and cause lagginess or unresponsiveness.

Make sure the wireless receiver is as close as possible to the mouse and keyboard without obstacles blocking the signal.
Keep the wireless devices away from potential sources of interference like other wireless devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth gadgets, and microwave ovens.
Replace batteries in the wireless mouse/keyboard to maximize transmission power. Weak batteries can reduce signal strength.

Checking for and eliminating sources of wireless interference can dramatically improve the performance and responsiveness of wireless peripherals.

Test with a Different Mouse and Keyboard

If you have access to a different wired or wireless mouse and keyboard, try connecting them to your computer.

If the new devices work properly, then the issue is likely with the original mouse and keyboard, either due to hardware failure or wireless interference. Replace them.
If the new devices also do not respond, then the computer’s USB ports, drivers, or settings may need troubleshooting instead.

By testing with alternate peripherals, you can again isolate whether the problem lies with the mouse and keyboard themselves or with the computer.

Refresh or Reset Windows

If all hardware troubleshooting steps have been unsuccessful, a software issue with Windows may be preventing proper communication with USB devices.

Open the Settings app and go to Updates & Security > Recovery. Click Get started under the Reset this PC section.
First try the Keep my files refresh option to restore Windows while retaining your data.
If that does not resolve the issue, you may need to fully reset Windows via the Remove everything option. This will erase all data and reinstall a fresh Windows.

Refreshing or resetting Windows fixes corrupted system files and registry issues that can interfere with USB device operation.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting an unresponsive mouse and keyboard can be tedious, but methodically working through connection, hardware, driver, settings, and software issues will usually identify the underlying problem. Following the steps outlined in this guide should get your mouse and keyboard working again in most cases. If all else fails, replacing the mouse, keyboard, or USB ports may be necessary. Patience and care is key to resolving the issue without unnecessary hardware replacement.