If your keyboard and mouse become unresponsive, it could be due to a variety of different factors. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to try and troubleshoot the issue and restore your keyboard and mouse back to full functionality.
1. Check the connections
The first step is to make sure the keyboard and mouse are connected properly. Check the cables and make sure they are plugged into the correct ports. If you are using a wireless keyboard and mouse, make sure the batteries are in good working condition and that the USB receiver is plugged into a USB port on your computer.
2. Restart the computer
If the connections look good, the next step is to restart your computer. Sometimes restarting your computer can reset the hardware and the problem will resolve itself.
3. Troubleshoot the issue
If the issue persists after restarting your computer, then you can use the built-in Windows troubleshooting tools to try and diagnose the issue. To access these tools, go to the Control Panel and select ‘Troubleshoot’. From here, you can select either your keyboard or mouse individually to begin the troubleshooting process.
4. Connect a different mouse and keyboard
If the Windows troubleshooting tools fail to fix the issue, then you should connect a different mouse and keyboard to the computer. This will allow you to determine if the issue lies with the particular mouse and keyboard combination or if the problem is something else.
5. Update drivers
If the issue is specific to a particular mouse and keyboard combination, then the issue may be due to an out of date driver. To check for updated drivers, you can visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your device.
6. Uninstall and reinstall the mouse and keyboard
If updating the drivers does not work, then you should try uninstalling the mouse and keyboard from your computer and then reinstalling them. To uninstall the devices, go to Device Manager in the Control Panel and find your mouse and keyboard. Right click on each device and select ‘Uninstall’. Once this is done, restart your computer and then reinstall the mouse and keyboard by inserting their respective installation CDs or downloading the driver packages from the manufacturer’s website.
7. Check power settings
Sometimes, the issue may be due to power settings on your computer. To check these settings, go to the Control Panel and select ‘Power Options’. From here, you can view and edit the various power settings on your computer.
8. Clean the mouse and keyboard
If none of the above steps have fixed the issue, then it may be time to clean the mouse and keyboard. Dust and debris can accumulate in the ports and on the buttons of the devices and cause them to stop working correctly. To clean the devices, use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust and dirt. You can also dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe down the surface of the mouse and keyboard to remove any oils or dirt.
9. Check for viruses and malware
Finally, if all else fails, you should run an anti-virus and anti-malware scan on your computer. Viruses and malware can interfere with the operation of your mouse and keyboard and cause them to become unresponsive. Run a full system scan with your anti-virus and anti-malware software and quarantine or delete any malicious files found.
These are some basic steps you can take to troubleshoot an unresponsive keyboard and mouse. If none of the steps above work, you should consider calling a technician or visiting a local computer repair shop.