How to Fix a Wireless Mouse or Keyboard That Keeps Disconnecting or Has Input Lag on Windows 11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Fix a Wireless Mouse or Keyboard That Keeps Disconnecting or Has Input Lag on Windows 11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Wireless mice and keyboards can occasionally disconnect or experience input lag on Windows 11, which can disrupt your productivity. These issues are typically caused by interference, low battery levels, outdated drivers, or power management settings. Follow the steps below to restore a stable connection to your peripherals.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Replace the batteries or recharge the device.
2. Turn the wireless device off and on again.
3. Move the USB receiver closer to the mouse or keyboard.
4. Restart your computer.

Detailed Instructions

Check Power and Batteries

Low battery levels are the most common cause of intermittent disconnections and lag.

1. Replace the batteries in your mouse or keyboard with fresh ones.
2. If the device is rechargeable, connect it to a power source and allow it to charge fully.
3. Ensure the power switch on the device is set to On.

Optimise Receiver Placement

For devices using a USB wireless dongle, distance and obstructions can cause signal dropouts.

1. Unplug the USB receiver from its current port.
2. Plug the receiver into a USB port closer to the device, preferably on the front of the computer.
3. Avoid using USB hubs or extension cables, as these can introduce interference.
4. Ensure there are no large metal objects between the receiver and the peripheral.

Disable USB Power Saving

Windows 11 may turn off USB devices to save power, which can cause input lag or disconnections.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click on USB Root Hub and select Properties.
4. Click the Power Management tab.
5. Uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK and repeat for other USB Root Hub entries if necessary.

Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to unstable connectivity.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices or Keyboards.
3. Right-click your wireless device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If the issue persists, right-click the device again and select Uninstall device, then restart your computer to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

Re-pair Bluetooth Devices

If you are using a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, re-establishing the connection can resolve pairing conflicts.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand menu.
3. Find your mouse or keyboard in the list and click the three dots (...) next to it.
4. Select Remove device and confirm.
5. Put your peripheral into pairing mode (refer to the manufacturer's manual).
6. Click Add device, select Bluetooth, and choose your device from the list.

Troubleshooting

Test on Another Computer

To determine if the issue is with the peripheral or your PC, connect the mouse or keyboard to a different computer. If the device continues to disconnect or lag on another machine, the hardware may be faulty and require replacement.

Check for Interference

Other wireless devices operating on the 2.4GHz frequency can interfere with your peripherals.

• Move wireless routers, cordless phones, or microwaves away from your computer.
• If using a USB 3.0 device, try moving the wireless receiver further away from USB 3.0 ports, as they can cause radio frequency interference.

Related Guides

• Keyboard or mouse not responding
• How to connect Bluetooth devices

If you have completed these steps and your wireless mouse or keyboard continues to disconnect or lag, please Open a Ticket with our Brisbane support team for further assistance.

Still Having Issues?