Although the keyboard, like the mouse, is of the plug&play type (that is, it is enough to connect them to use them directly, without installing or configuring anything), there are times when, for various reasons, they can fail. One of the most common problems that we can find when connecting a new keyboard is a problem with the drivers. These problems intensify as we install configuration programs from other keyboards (something common if we use various keyboards on the same computer, as can happen on a laptop that in turn is connected to an external screen).
Another very common problem is that, for some reason, Windows is not configuring itself correctly. This can happen, for example, when the keyboard needs a special driver and you can’t download it from Windows Update. Normally, when this happens, it loads a generic driver that allows us to use the basic functions of the peripheral. But it may not always work. Of course, there is also the possibility that our computer is infected by viruses and malware. What these malicious programs usually seek is to annoy the victim, and deactivating, or making these peripherals malfunction, is a widely used technique.
If it is a bluetooth keyboard that can be connected to several devices, we must make sure that we have correctly selected the device to which it is connected, a fairly common problem in this type of keyboard that is also used with tablets or televisions. It goes without saying that, in addition, we must also make sure that, if it is also a device of this type, that it has enough batteries, something that we can check through the led that indicates that it is on or off if we do not have another visual cue.
mouse not working
When a mouse doesn’t work, we find ourselves with a problem that is sometimes easier to solve than one might expect, since it is a very simple device and, in addition, like the mouse, it works without the need to install anything. additional driver to those used by Windows when it detects it. Taking this into account, the first thing we must do is rule out that it is a problem of dirt that has accumulated on the sensor, the one in charge of knowing any movement of this device and transferring it to the screen.
If we use different mice or have changed the mouse manufacturer and it includes software to configure it, the first thing we must do is uninstall the application from the old mouse manufacturer and leave only the one to manage our new mouse. Although it is not common, it is possible that the old software is affecting or blocking the operation of the new device. Nor can we forget to check if the malfunction problem is due to malicious software installed on our computer for which we can use Windows Defender.
If we are talking about a wireless mouse, either via bluetooth or through the manufacturer’s USB connector, it has batteries. Some mice turn on when they detect movement on the mouse and automatically turn off when no movement is detected for a short time, but there is always the possibility that something has blocked the sensor and the sensor has stayed on indefinitely.
Hardware or software: detect the problem
How can we easily know what is the cause of the problems? In addition to the solutions that we are going to see below, there is a very quick and easy method to isolate the problem and avoid wasting time trying to locate the source of the problem by brute force.
Surely we have ever heard of linux, the operating system that tries to stand up to Windows and macOS as a freer option in every way. But we will also know that this system is not suitable for everyone. However, when it comes to detecting and solving problems, it can be a very valuable ally.
One of the characteristics of distros, such as Ubuntu, is that they can run entirely from RAM on live mode. This means that we can boot the PC from a USB and use Linux without formatting or altering anything on our hard drives. In this way, for example, we can download this operating system and load it on the PC to test if the keyboard and mouse work on it. If so, we already know that these are physically fine (so it’s not a hardware problem) and that the problem is within Windows. Otherwise, if they don’t work in Linux either, we would be talking about a hardware problem, and either there is a problem in the system BIOS, or the peripheral is directly broken.
Another easier option that we have at our disposal is to test the peripherals that do not work in other USB ports of our computer, to make sure if they work correctly, since it is possible that the ports that we use are suffering from some type of problem and do not work. correctly to supply the necessary power to function. If after connecting the peripherals to other ports, they work without problems, we have already identified the problem. But, if, even so, it still does not work, the problem will be found in the peripherals themselves, since the possibility that all the ports of the equipment stop working at the same time is impossible.
How to troubleshoot
As with other components that could be considered basic in our computer, if the keyboard or mouse don’t work well, we have a problem. Another fairly obvious example of all this could be reflected on the screen that we usually use. Therefore, finding a solution to these errors as soon as possible is very important. It is for all this that we are going to see several possible solutions below to be able to solve the problems that can cause the Windows keyboard or mouse not to work.
Try another keyboard or mouse,
The first thing we should try is connect another keyboard or mouse to the computer and check if this works. So we can begin to isolate the problem. If the new peripheral works, the cause is directly with the keyboard or mouse of our computer. And if the other peripheral still does not work, then the cause is more related to Windows and our PC than to the peripheral itself, so we have to look for our search in the software that is affecting the operation of one or both peripherals to find the solution.
Connect accessories to another PC
In addition, it is recommended try the keyboard or mouse that doesn’t work on a different computer to ours. This way we can also isolate the problem and easily know if the problem is in our computer or directly in the peripheral. On the other hand, and in a similar way, it is also usually interesting in these situations to rule out the possible failure with the other hardware element, that is, the connectors as such. That is why in the foreseeable case that, for example, we have more than one USB port, we try to try different ones in order to be sure that the problem does not come from a simple damaged individual port.
If after connecting these peripherals to any other computer, regardless of its operating system, they still do not work, we do not need to continue looking for a solution, since the source of the problem lies in the device without, and not in any installed software that may be affecting their operation.
Check peripheral power
Before we have talked about the possibility, much more common than it may seem, of what is failing the usb connectivity. This can be given both by the cable of the device as such, and by the port we use on the computer. Hence precisely the convenience of testing the devices that fail us in other equipment. But it is also true that on certain occasions we do not need to be so catastrophic. And it is that if, for example, the port or the cable that makes connectivity pathways has been damaged, we may have to change the peripheral.
In these times, on many occasions we use both a keyboard and a mouse wirelessly, for example, using the bluetooth connectivity. That is why first of all we should check that the power supply we press on these devices works. In short, we should check that the batteries of both the mouse and the keyboard have an energy charge. In this case it is enough that we try new ones.
Change connection interface
At the moment we have a wide range of input devices of this type to use in our computer. A diversity of prices, quality and connectivity in this sense is enormous. This means that sometimes the failure with the mouse or the keyboard can be caused more by the connection that we use than by the device itself. This means that there may be some type of incompatibility with the Bluetooth connection if we use it, or some lack of energy in the USB port. Therefore, we use one mode of operation or another, we could try the opposite to see if the error comes from here.
This means that, for example, we use a set of wireless mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth, we connect these elements via USB if possible. Otherwise, we can do the same and thus rule out incompatibilities in the connectivity of the operating system.
restart windows
Although it seems obvious, many people often overlook it. Restarting the computer is a practice that solves many more problems than we think. We remember that Windows 10 has a system of quick start that allows you to turn on the computer in seconds after turning it off. Therefore, turning the computer off and on is not the same as restarting it with the corresponding “restart” function.
Rebooting the computer removes all files from memory and loads everything from scratch, including the Kernel. In this way, if there was a problem in the memory of the equipment, it should disappear.
failsafe mode
Another configuration that we must try is to start our computer in Safe Mode. In this mode, Microsoft only loads core programs and drivers digitally signed by the company, so none of the programs that typically run in Windows will be residing in memory and affecting the operation of the devices, if the problem is related to one of these.
So we can know if the problem may be a third-party driver that is causing the peripheral to not work, a virus or malicious program that is interfering, or if it is nothing related to software. And it is that there are many independent components that are launched with the operating system itself, so, if something fails, knowing what it is really a bit complicated. For this type of situation, like the one we are dealing with in this case, starting with the failsafe mode it can be very helpful…