If your mouse or keyboard have stopped working, do not panic! This is a relatively common problem that can often be fixed quickly and easily with a few basic steps.
The first step to take is to make sure that your mouse or keyboard are properly connected to your computer. If they use a USB connector, try unplugging the device and plugging it back in. Make sure to plug it into the same USB port that it was originally plugged into, as keyboards and mice can be quite finicky when it comes to connecting to specific ports on your computer. Additionally, if your mouse or keyboard uses batteries, make sure that they are fresh and installed properly.
Once you have double checked the connections to your mouse or keyboard, the next step is to check the drivers. Drivers are special files that help the computer understand how to communicate with your peripheral devices, and are essential for them to work properly. To check the hardware drivers, open the Device Manager from the Control Panel in Windows, or open System Information from the Apple menu in macOS. Find the entry for your mouse or keyboard in the list of peripherals, right-click on it, and select “Update Driver”. If an update is available, follow the instructions to install it. Also make sure that the drivers for any other devices that are connected to your computer, such as a wireless receiver for a wireless mouse or keyboard, are up-to-date.
If the drivers are all up-to-date but the mouse or keyboard still don’t seem to be working, try uninstalling the drivers and then reinstalling them. To do this, go back to the Device Manager in Windows or the System Information window in macOS, right-click on the mouse or keyboard entry, and select “Uninstall Driver”. Once the driver has been uninstalled, you can either restart your computer to automatically reinstall the driver, or manually download the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it yourself.
If the mouse or keyboard still isn’t working after reinstalling the drivers, there is a chance that the device itself may be broken. In this case, the best option is to contact the manufacturer’s customer service line and inquire about getting a replacement. Most reputable companies will offer some kind of warranty or guarantee to replace defective products, so it is worth inquiring about this possibility.
Finally, if the mouse or keyboard is still not working, the issue could be related to a more serious hardware problem. It is possible that the USB ports on your computer may be malfunctioning, or that the motherboard itself may be damaged. In this case, you may need to take your computer to a qualified repair technician who can diagnose the problem and recommend a course of action.
In summary, if your mouse or keyboard stop working, begin by checking the connections and making sure the drivers are up-to-date. If the device is still not functioning properly, consider trying to reinstall the drivers or contacting the manufacturer for a possible replacement. If nothing else works, it is possible that the problem may be related to hardware issues, and it may be necessary to take your computer in for repairs.