If your mouse or keyboard isn’t responding, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue.
1. Check for hardware conflicts
The first thing you should do if your mouse or keyboard isn’t responding is to check for any hardware conflicts. You can do this by accessing your computer’s Device Manager, which can be found in the Control Panel under System. Once you are in the Device Manager, look for any yellow exclamation points next to device names. These indicate a hardware conflict and typically mean that the driver for the device is out of date or corrupt. If you find any conflicts, try updating the drivers and see if that resolves the issue.
2. Check the connections
The next step to take if your mouse or keyboard isn’t responding is to make sure all of the connections are secure. This includes checking the USB ports, making sure the device is securely connected to the port, ensuring that the receiver is properly plugged into an outlet, or if you’re using a wireless connection, verifying that the battery is charged and/or the receiver is not too far from the device.
3. Try a different USB port
If the connections appear to be secure, try connecting the device to a different USB port on your computer. If the device still doesn’t respond, this could be a sign that the previous USB port is no longer functioning correctly.
4. Remove any other devices
If the device is still not responding, the next step is to disconnect any other devices that may be connected to the USB ports, such as external hard drives, flash drives, or printers. If the mouse or keyboard begins to work after removing these devices, it could be a sign that one of them is causing a conflict.
5. Restart your computer
If all else fails, the next step is to restart your computer. This can help to reset the USB ports and hopefully resolve any issues that may be preventing the mouse or keyboard from working.
6. Update the firmware
If you’re still having trouble after trying all of the above steps, you may need to update the device’s firmware. This is a more complicated process and usually involves downloading a utility program that can update the device’s firmware. It is important to note that firmware updates can wipe out any custom settings you may have programmed into the device and can also brick it if not done correctly.
7. Replace the device
If none of the above steps have resolved the issue, the last option is to replace the device. Unfortunately, if the device is still under warranty, you may have to send it back to the manufacturer for repairs or a replacement.
These are just a few of the steps you can take if your mouse or keyboard isn’t responding. Keep in mind that hardware can be tricky, so it’s best to consult a professional if you’re unsure of what to do.