How to Fix Mouse and Keyboard Not Working on Windows 11: Effective Troubleshooting Steps

When your mouse and keyboard stop working on Windows 11, it can be frustrating and hinder your productivity. These devices are essential for navigating and controlling your computer. Fortunately, many common issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps.

This guide will walk you through easy and effective methods to get your mouse and keyboard working again. Whether you use wired or wireless devices, the solutions here cover a range of possibilities.

Before diving into advanced fixes, it’s important to check a few basics. These quick checks can save time and often solve the problem immediately.

Follow the steps carefully, and you should be able to restore functionality without needing professional help.

Quick Note: Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting

Ensure Devices Are Properly Connected: Check that your mouse and keyboard are plugged into the correct USB ports. For wireless devices, confirm they are turned on and paired.
Try Different USB Ports: Sometimes, USB ports can be faulty. Plug your devices into different ports to rule this out.
Check Battery Levels: For wireless devices, low batteries can cause connection issues. Replace or recharge batteries if needed.
Restart Your Computer: A simple reboot can fix temporary glitches affecting hardware detection.

Step 1: Check Device Manager for Hardware Recognition

Windows Device Manager shows all connected hardware and can provide clues if your mouse or keyboard is not recognized.

Press Windows + X keys and select Device Manager.
Look under the categories Mice and other pointing devices and Keyboards.
If you see your devices listed without any warning icons (yellow triangles or red crosses), Windows recognizes them.
If a device has a warning icon, right-click it and select Update driver to fix driver issues.

This step is important because if Windows doesn’t detect your devices properly, they won’t work. Updating drivers can often resolve compatibility problems.

Step 2: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes built-in troubleshooters that automatically diagnose and fix common hardware problems.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Keyboard and click Run.
Do the same for Bluetooth or Hardware and Devices if you use wireless peripherals.

Running these troubleshooters can detect and automatically fix common issues without manual intervention.

Step 3: Reinstall or Update Device Drivers

Sometimes drivers become corrupted or outdated, causing devices to malfunction. Reinstalling or updating them can help.

Go back to Device Manager.
Right-click your mouse or keyboard device and select Uninstall device.
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
If Windows doesn’t reinstall drivers, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver manually.

This process ensures your devices have fresh, compatible drivers to work correctly.

Step 4: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause USB devices to not initialize properly after reboot.

Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Click Save changes and restart your PC.

Disabling Fast Startup forces a full shutdown and restart, which can help the system detect your mouse and keyboard properly.

Step 5: Check USB Selective Suspend Settings

USB selective suspend allows the system to save power by suspending USB devices. Sometimes this can cause devices to stop working.

Open Control Panel and navigate to Power Options.
Click Change plan settings next to your current power plan.
Select Change advanced power settings.
Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting.
Set this to Disabled for both On battery and Plugged in.
Click Apply and OK.

Disabling this feature prevents Windows from turning off your USB devices to save power, which can sometimes cause disconnections.

Step 6: Use the On-Screen Keyboard or Touchpad Temporarily

If both your keyboard and mouse are unresponsive, you can use the built-in On-Screen Keyboard and touchpad to navigate while troubleshooting.

Press Windows + R, type osk, and press Enter to open the On-Screen Keyboard.
Use your laptop’s touchpad or an external mouse if available to control the cursor.

This keeps you productive while you troubleshoot the hardware issues.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

If the above steps do not fix the problem, here are some advanced options:

Boot into Safe Mode: Restart your PC in Safe Mode to check if third-party software or drivers are causing conflicts.
Check BIOS/UEFI Settings: Some BIOS settings can disable USB ports. Restart your computer and enter BIOS to verify USB is enabled.
System Restore: Use System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state if the problem started recently.
Try Different Devices: Test with another mouse or keyboard to rule out hardware failure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are my mouse and keyboard not working after Windows 11 update?

Windows updates can sometimes cause driver incompatibility or reset settings. Running the troubleshooter and updating drivers usually resolves this.

How do I use keyboard shortcuts if my keyboard is not working?

If the physical keyboard doesn’t work, use the On-Screen Keyboard accessible via Windows + R, then type osk.

Can a virus cause mouse and keyboard to stop working?

Yes, malware can interfere with device drivers. Running a full antivirus scan is recommended if you suspect infection.

Will uninstalling and reinstalling drivers delete my settings?

No, uninstalling device drivers typically removes only the driver software, not your personal settings.

Is it safe to disable Fast Startup?

Yes, disabling Fast Startup can help with device detection issues but may slightly increase boot time. It’s safe and reversible.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps restore your mouse and keyboard functionality, consider the following final options:

Contact Manufacturer Support: Reach out to your device manufacturer for specific assistance or warranty service.
Use Windows Recovery Options: Access Windows Recovery Environment to reset or repair your system.
Visit Official Microsoft Support: Use Microsoft Support for detailed help and updates.
Consider Hardware Replacement: If devices don’t work on any computer, they might be physically damaged and need replacement.

Conclusion

Mouse and keyboard problems on Windows 11 can often be fixed with simple steps like checking connections, updating drivers, and adjusting power settings. Starting with basic checks saves time, while advanced options cover less common causes.

Using the built-in troubleshooters and Device Manager helps identify and resolve most issues without technical expertise. If problems persist, professional support and hardware replacement may be necessary.

By following this guide, you can confidently troubleshoot and restore your mouse and keyboard functionality to keep working smoothly on Windows 11.