You plug in your keyboard and mouse, but nothing happens—no response, no cursor, no typing. It’s frustrating, especially when you can’t access your system. The good news? Most of the time, it’s not a hardware failure. There’s a clear path to getting back in control, and it starts with figuring out where the breakdown is happening. You’re closer to a solution than you think.
Confirm Your Mouse and Keyboard Work in BIOS
Start by restarting your computer and tapping the BIOS key—usually F2, F10, or Delete—repeatedly as it boots. Once inside the BIOS, test your keyboard and mouse by maneuvering through the menu. If they respond, both wired and wireless devices are likely working fine. Try different USB ports if one isn’t detecting them. If your keyboard and mouse function here but not in Windows, the issue is probably software or driver-related. If neither works in BIOS, it’s likely a hardware problem. Check connections or test the keyboard and mouse on another machine. When done, press Esc or F10 to exit BIOS and reboot.
Inspect USB Cables, Ports, and Power Connections
A damaged cable or faulty connection could be why your mouse and keyboard aren’t responding. Check your setup closely to rule out simple hardware issues before moving on.
- Examine USB cables for fraying or loose ends, and replace any that look worn to guarantee your mouse and keyboard get a stable link.
- Try a different USB port on your computer—sometimes one port fails while others work fine.
- If you’re using a hub, plug the devices directly into the computer’s USB port, and confirm wireless models have fresh batteries or sufficient charge.
Use the On-Screen Keyboard to Regain Access
If your keyboard or mouse stops working, you can quickly regain control using the on-screen keyboard. Open the On-Screen Keyboard by pressing Windows + Ctrl + O, or go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and toggle it on. This tool lets you type and navigate using a mouse, touchscreen, or even a working USB input device. You can drag the On-Screen Keyboard to any spot on your screen and resize it for comfort. It supports predictive text and customizable layouts for easier use. Even if your physical keyboard fails, the On-Screen Keyboard gives you reliable access without needing extra USB hardware.
Boot Into Safe Mode (If Input Devices Fail)
When your mouse and keyboard stop responding and normal troubleshooting fails, booting into Safe Mode can help you regain control. By restarting your computer and acting quickly, you can access essential repair tools even without working input devices.
- Tap F8 repeatedly as your PC starts to reach Advanced Boot Options and select Safe Mode.
- If F8 doesn’t work, use a Windows USB installer, choose “Repair your computer,” then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
- After restarted my computer, pick Safe Mode from the startup menu to load minimal drivers and fix the root cause.
Once in Safe Mode, you can resolve conflicts blocking your devices from working properly.
Reinstall USB and HID Drivers
Since your mouse and keyboard aren’t responding, the next step is to reinstall the USB and HID drivers through Device Manager. Search for it in the taskbar, then expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers” and “Human Interface Devices.” Right-click each USB Root Hub and HID-compliant device, then select “Uninstall device.” Restart your computer—Windows will automatically detect and reinstall the drivers. Make sure you’re connected to the internet so it can download and install the latest versions. After rebooting, check Device Manager again. Confirm all USB hubs and HID entries appear without yellow exclamation marks. If issues remain, go to your manufacturer’s website to manually download and install updated drivers for your specific model.
Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings
After reinstalling your USB and HID drivers, you might still face issues if Windows is cutting power to your devices. USB Selective Suspend can cause your mouse or keyboard to disconnect unexpectedly. To fix this:
- Open Power Options in Control Panel, click “Change plan settings,” then “Change advanced power settings”
- Expand “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting,” then disable it for both “On battery” and “Plugged in”
- Apply changes and restart your PC to guarantee settings take effect
You don’t need to use Device Manager for this fix. Disabling USB Selective Suspend stops Windows from powering down your peripherals, keeping them responsive.
Fix Windows System Files With Sfc /Scannow
If your mouse or keyboard still isn’t working properly, corrupted system files might be to blame—so run `sfc /scannow` to fix them. Open Command Prompt as admin, type `sfc /scannow`, and press Enter. The scan checks for issues that could’ve caused your devices to stop working and automatically repairs them if possible. It might take a few minutes. If `sfc /scannow` finds errors but can’t fix them all, follow up with `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth` to repair the Windows image. These steps often resolve underlying system issues. Running both commands helps guarantee your system files aren’t the reason your input devices stopped working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Keyboard and Mouse Suddenly Not Working?
Your keyboard and mouse aren’t working because of a hardware fault, software clash, or USB power issue. Check cables, try another port, and make sure your system isn’t blocking the devices after an update or due to power-saving settings.
How to Resync Keyboard and Mouse?
You press the connect button on your keyboard and mouse, then plug the receiver back in after a 10-second wait. If using Bluetooth, you remove and re-pair them in settings. You keep them close and powered during the process.
How to Fix a Keyboard and Mouse?
You plug both devices into different USB ports and restart your computer. You open Device Manager, uninstall USB Root Hubs and HID devices, then let Windows reinstall them automatically. You disable USB selective suspend and run sfc and dism commands to fix system issues.
How to Unfreeze Keyboard and Mouse?
You can unfreeze your keyboard and mouse by unplugging them and plugging them back in to reset the connection. If they’re wireless, check the batteries, then press the reset button on the device or receiver to reconnect.
