Mouse not detected or working in Windows

One or more issues could be blocking the mouse from functioning properly in Microsoft Windows if it stops moving or doesn't appear on your monitor. Solutions on this page may aid in unlocking, rediscovering, or unfreezing your mouse.

Laptop frozen

The first indication that a computer has frozen is typical that the mouse no longer responds on the monitor. To check if your computer is entirely frozen, take the following actions if the movement of your mouse pointer disappears.

• Num Lock key usage
  By using the keyboard's Num Lock key, make sure the computer is not frozen. Your keyboard's Num Lock indication LED should turn on and off when Num Lock is continually pressed. Your computer is frozen if this signal does not change, in which case, none of the computer's hardware, including the mouse, will function. To fix this problem, restart the computer. If your vehicle lacks an indicator light, move on to the section after that.

• Keyboard doesn't have Num Lock indicator light
  Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys simultaneously anywhere in Windows if your keyboard lacks the LED mentioned in the preceding section. A blue Windows choices screen should appear as a result of this activity. By using the Esc key, you can exit this menu. Your computer is frozen if you are not immediately sent to the blue screen. Your computer has to restart to fix this problem.

Hardware issue

Remove any new hardware that has recently been added to the computer to make sure it won't interfere with your current mouse.

Incorrect mouse connection

To make sure the mouse is linked to the computer properly, follow these steps.

• a USB mouses
  Disconnect the mouse cable from the USB port it's connected to, and then rejoin it if you're using a USB or cordless mouse. Try attaching the mouse to a USB port on the computer's rear if it links to a USB hub
  
• Wireless mouse

1. Check for a power indicator to make sure the wireless mouse is getting power (usually a light). Check to see if any indicators turn on by moving your mouse around on the mousepad. The power switch on a mouse is frequently found on the bottom side.
2. Replace the batteries if the mouse doesn't seem to be turned on.
3. Make sure the wireless receiver is accessible and is not too heavily obstructed.
4. Try connecting the wireless USB adapter to a different port after disconnecting it.

• Mouse PS/2
  Verify that a PS/2 mouse is plugged into the PS/2 mouse port and not examining the PS/2 keyboard with the computer's rear. Close the computer and reconnect the mouse if it has previously operated correctly (i.e., if it is not a new mouse).

Conflicting drivers or software

Start Windows in Safe Mode. If the mouse functions in Safe Mode, a driver or software conflict is probably at blame. To fix this problem, adhere to the directions listed below.

1. Device Manager should be opened.
2. By clicking the + sign, you can expand the mouse (mice) option in Device Manager.
3. By selecting each device in the list and then pressing the Del key on the keyboard, you can eliminate all the mice.

Missing or outdated mouse drivers

Check to see if the mouse has a driver installed. For this, you can look in the Device Manager. Installing a driver for your particular mouse may solve the problem, even if Windows may already have a default or standard mouse driver. For links to several mouse manufacturer websites where you can get a driver for the mouse, check out our list of mouse manufacturers. If a mouse driver has been installed, we advise you to look for an update that has been issued since the driver was installed. Updates to the driver could resolve issues with a broken mouse.

Ineffective USB driver

Manufacturers of motherboards and computers regularly update hardware drivers, including USB port drivers. Issues with USB mouse operation and detection may be caused by out-of-date USB port drivers. Updated USB port drivers can resolve problems with mouse detection and usability. For connections to manufacturer websites, see our lists of computer and motherboard manufacturers. To see if the USB port drivers for your mouse have been updated, visit the manufacturer's website. Download and install any new drivers that have been released if they are available. Check the mouse after restarting your computer to determine whether the problem has been resolved by the new drivers.

Additional USB driver difficulties

The USB port drivers can be damaged if your USB mouse does not function on the computer. Restoring Windows to a prior time when the USB mouse was functional or uninstalling and reinstalling the USB port drivers are two alternatives for attempting to fix faulty drivers.

• Open the Windows recovery point
  If your USB mouse has previously operated properly, set a Windows restore point to a time when it did.

• Remove and reinstall USB port drivers :
  A USB mouse may stop functioning as a result of corrupt USB port drivers. Installing the USB port drivers again, adhere to the procedures listed below.

1. Activate the Device Manager.
2. Highlight the entry for Universal Serial Bus controllers in Device Manager using the Tab and arrow keys.
3. To expand the devices shown under Universal Serial Bus controllers, press the right arrow key.
4. To open the properties pane for a USB Composite Device or USB Root Hub entry, use the arrow keys to select that entry and hit Enter.
5. Access the Driver tab in the properties window by using the Tab and arrow keys.
6. Use the Tab key to pick the Uninstall Device button on the Driver tab, then hit Enter.
7. Select the Uninstall option using the Tab key button in the Uninstall Device window, then hit Enter.
8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 above for every USB Composite Device or USB Root Hub entry in Device Manager.
9. Restart Windows and your machine after removing all USB port devices.
10. The USB port devices on your computer should be recognised by Windows during startup and reinstalled along with the drivers.

Corrupted operating system files

If none of the aforementioned does not fix the problem, the operating system may have corrupt system files. You might need to use the system installation disc to execute an operating system repair. Restore your system to the state it was in when the mouse was functioning if you have a Windows restore point saved from that time.

Various hardware problems

You might be affected by these hardware problems as well.

• Poor port
  Try a different mouse if the previous fixes did not work. If that mouse functions, try the problematic mouse on a different computer. If more than one mouse is ineffective, the mouse port is the cause of the issue. It's possible that the motherboard has to be changed if you're using the PS/2 or USB port on the computer's rear.

• Bad mouse
  The mouse has to be replaced if it is no longer compatible with any computer or if the cable is partially damaged or frayed. Purchasing a new mouse is more affordable than trying to repair a damaged one.