Keyboard and Mouse Not Working? Quick Fixes

Few things are more frustrating than sitting down to work and finding your keyboard or mouse has stopped responding. Whether you're in a home office in Stockbridge or running a business from Leith, a broken input device brings everything to a halt.

The good news is that most keyboard and mouse problems are quick fixes you can try yourself before anything needs replacing. Let's walk through what to check.

Check the Obvious Things First

I know it sounds simple, but I can't tell you how many times the issue is something really basic. If you're using a wireless keyboard or mouse, the batteries are the first thing to check. Pop the battery cover off, swap in fresh batteries, and wait a few seconds to see if the device responds. Dead batteries cause about half the wireless input device problems I see.

While you're at it, make sure your keyboard or mouse is actually switched on if it has an on/off switch. Some wireless devices sit in a drawer for ages and get switched off by accident. Also check that the USB receiver for your wireless keyboard or mouse is properly plugged into your computer and not loose or obstructed. If it's tucked behind a monitor or under a desk with other cables, try moving it to a clearer position.

Practical tip: Keep a spare set of AA batteries near your desk. Most wireless keyboards and mice use these, and you'll save yourself hours of frustration.

Reconnect Your Wireless Device

Wireless devices sometimes lose their connection to your computer, especially if the receiver gets knocked or if there's been a power cut. The fix is usually straightforward. Look for a small button on the bottom of your keyboard or mouse, and on the USB receiver as well. Press the button on the receiver first, then quickly press the button on your device. You should see a light flash or hear a small sound indicating they've reconnected.

If your device has a pairing mode, check the manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact steps. Most devices reconnect within a few seconds once you've triggered pairing mode. If nothing happens after a minute, try again. If it still won't work, unplug the receiver from your computer, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Give the device another 30 seconds to reconnect automatically.

Practical tip: Write down your keyboard and mouse model numbers and keep them somewhere safe. If you ever need to reconnect them and lose the manual, you can quickly search for pairing instructions online.

Try a Different USB Port

If you're using a wired keyboard or mouse, or if your wireless receiver still won't connect, try plugging it into a different USB port on your computer. USB ports can fail or get damaged, especially on older machines. If it works on a different port, you've found the culprit and can avoid using that port in future.

When you plug something into a different port, wait 10 to 15 seconds for your computer to recognise it and install any drivers. If it works straight away, you know the original port was the problem. This is particularly common with desk setups in places like Morningside where people have lots of devices plugged in and things get unplugged and replugged regularly.

Practical tip: Label your USB ports or keep a note of which ones work well. Front USB ports on desktop computers are handy but sometimes less reliable than the ports on the back.

Update or Reinstall Drivers

Keyboard and mouse drivers are usually very stable and rarely cause problems, but occasionally Windows or Mac updates can disrupt them. If nothing else has worked, you might need to update the drivers for your device. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for Keyboards and Mice in the list. Right-click on your device and select Update Driver. Choose to search automatically for updated driver software.

If that doesn't help, you can try uninstalling the driver and letting your computer reinstall it from scratch. This often fixes quirky behaviour. Just uninstall the device from Device Manager, restart your computer, and Windows will detect it again and reinstall the drivers automatically. The whole process takes a couple of minutes.

Practical tip: If you're not confident doing this yourself, don't worry. It's a straightforward process but there's no shame in asking for help. Just make sure you have a working input device to use while troubleshooting, or use your trackpad if you're on a laptop.

Check Your Computer Isn't Frozen

Sometimes the problem isn't your keyboard or mouse at all. Your computer might be completely frozen or stuck on a slow process that's hogging all the power. If your keyboard and mouse are plugged in but nothing responds, try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows or Command+Option+Escape on Mac. This opens the task manager or force quit menu.

Look for any programs listed as Not Responding. If you find one, select it and click End Task or Force Quit. If your computer was frozen waiting for something to finish, this should free things up again. Once your computer is responsive, restart it properly to make sure everything's working normally.

Practical tip: If your computer freezes regularly, that's a sign something else is wrong. It might be running out of hard drive space, or there could be a virus or too many programs starting up automatically. But that's a separate fix for another day.

Wired Vs Wireless Troubleshooting

Wired keyboards and mice are less likely to stop working completely because there's no wireless connection to lose. If a wired device stops responding, it's usually a physical problem like a damaged cable, a loose connection, or a failed USB port. Try wiggling the cable gently where it connects to your computer, and inspect the cable itself for any visible damage or kinks.

Wireless devices are more convenient but have more potential points of failure: batteries, the wireless receiver, interference from other devices, or connection loss. If you use wireless peripherals in a busy office in the New Town with lots of other electronics nearby, interference can occasionally be an issue. Moving your receiver away from other wireless devices sometimes helps.

Practical tip: Consider keeping a cheap wired keyboard or mouse as a backup. They're still under £10 and they work immediately without any setup or troubleshooting. It's handy to have one around just in case.

When to Replace Rather Than Fix

If you've tried everything above and your keyboard or mouse still won't work, it's almost certainly a hardware failure. The good news is that keyboard and mouse replacements are usually very affordable compared to other computer repairs. You can pick up a decent keyboard for under £20 and a good mouse for similar money. Replacing a failed input device is almost always cheaper and simpler than fixing it.

Before you buy anything new though, it's worth getting a proper diagnosis to make sure the problem isn't somewhere else. Sometimes what feels like a keyboard problem is actually a computer issue that would benefit from a proper look. If you're in Edinburgh or anywhere across the UK, I can remote in and help you troubleshoot properly, or if you're local I can pop round and sort it in person.

If you've tried these steps and your keyboard or mouse still isn't working, or if you're not confident doing any of this troubleshooting yourself, get in touch with Rob at Curly IT. You can reach him on 07352 385477 or email rob@curly-it.co.uk. He helps Edinburgh customers with computer repairs and troubleshooting, and offers remote support across the UK as well. No fix, no fee - so if the problem can't be solved, you won't be charged.