Keyboard or mouse not responding

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Keyboard or mouse not responding. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

This article covers the most common reasons a keyboard or mouse may stop responding in Windows 11, and walks you through the steps to get things working again. Follow the quick checks first, then move on to the detailed solutions if needed.

Quick Checks (Do These First)

For Keyboard

• Check if Caps Lock is on
• Try a different USB port
• Press a few keys — any response at all?
• Check that Filter Keys or Sticky Keys haven't been enabled in Accessibility settings, which can suppress normal key input

For Mouse

• Try a different USB port
• Is the mouse turned on? Check the power switch on the bottom (common on wireless mice)
• Is there a surface issue? Try a mousepad
• Try the mouse on another computer to rule out a hardware fault

No-Input Checks

• Check physical cables are firmly plugged in
• Replace batteries in wireless devices
• Try a different USB port directly on the PC (rear ports on a desktop are preferred)
• Test the device on another computer to determine whether the problem is the device itself or your PC

Workarounds for Partial Input

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

If your keyboard is unresponsive but your mouse works, you can use the Windows 11 on-screen keyboard to navigate and type:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility > Keyboard.
3. Switch On-screen keyboard to On.
4. The on-screen keyboard will appear on your screen. Use your mouse to click keys as needed.

If your mouse is unresponsive but your keyboard works, press Win + U to open Accessibility settings, then navigate to Keyboard > On-screen keyboard and press Enter to turn it on.

Detailed Solutions

Step 1: Check Connections

• Wired: Unplug and replug into a different USB port. If possible, try a different cable to rule out cable failure.
• Wireless: Check or replace the batteries, and try a different device in the same receiver to confirm the receiver is working.
• Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Windows. See How to connect Bluetooth devices for pairing help.

Step 2: Try a Different Port

1. Unplug the device.
2. Try a different USB port on your computer — ideally one directly on the motherboard (rear ports on a desktop).
3. Wait a moment and try again.

Step 3: Check Device Manager

These steps require a working mouse and keyboard. If both are completely unresponsive, skip to the section below on forcing a restart.

1. Press Win + X and click Device Manager.
2. Expand Keyboards or Mice and other pointing devices. If your device isn't listed there, check under Human Interface Devices as well.
3. Look for yellow warning triangles next to any device.
4. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
5. If no updates are available, right-click and choose Uninstall device, then restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Step 4: Run the Hardware Troubleshooter

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter was removed from the Windows 11 Settings app, but it is still available via the legacy command line tool:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
3. Click Next and follow the prompts.

Step 5: Check for Windows Updates

Outdated or recently changed drivers are a common cause of input device issues. For full instructions, see How to update Windows.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install any available driver updates and restart when prompted.

Step 6: Restart the PC

Sometimes a restart clears up temporary glitches. Because your keyboard or mouse may not be working, use the physical power button instead of keyboard shortcuts:

1. Save any open work if possible.
2. Press and hold the physical power button on your PC until it turns off completely.
3. Wait about 10 seconds.
4. Press the power button again to turn the PC back on.
5. Test your devices after the restart.

Completely Unresponsive Keyboard and Mouse

If neither your keyboard nor your mouse responds at all, you cannot use Windows menus or Device Manager. Use the following steps to restart and test at a level outside Windows:

1. Press and hold the physical power button on your PC until the computer turns off completely.
2. Wait about 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
3. As the PC starts, repeatedly press the BIOS or UEFI key for your manufacturer (commonly Del, F2, F10, or Esc) to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup screen.
4. Test whether the keyboard works in the BIOS/UEFI menu. If you can navigate using the arrow keys, the hardware is functioning and the issue is likely within Windows.
5. Exit BIOS/UEFI without saving changes and allow Windows to start.
6. If the keyboard works in BIOS but not in Windows, try starting Windows in Safe Mode to determine whether a driver or third-party program is causing the issue.
7. If the keyboard does not work in BIOS/UEFI either, try a different keyboard or a different USB port. If the problem persists across multiple devices and ports, the issue may be with the PC itself.

For Wireless Devices

Bluetooth Mice and Keyboards

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is switched On.
3. Remove the device and re-pair it:
   • Click the device and select Remove device.
   • Click Add device and follow the pairing steps.

For more detail, see How to connect Bluetooth devices.

Wireless USB Receivers

• Plug the receiver directly into the computer, not into a USB hub.
• Try a different USB port — front ports versus rear ports can behave differently.
• If the receiver is from a combo set, try plugging the keyboard or mouse into a different computer to confirm the device itself is working.

Escalation

If you have completed the steps above and your keyboard or mouse is still not responding, please Open a Ticket for further assistance from our support team.

Related Articles

• How to connect Bluetooth devices
• How to update Windows

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