Keyboard or mouse stopped working

Fixes for wired, wireless and touchpad problems.

Updated September 21, 2026

  1. For a wireless device, check or replace the batteries, and check that it is switched on.
  2. Unplug the receiver or cable and plug it into a different USB port.
  3. For a Bluetooth device, turn Bluetooth off and on, then see A Bluetooth device will not connect.
  4. Restart the computer.
  5. On a laptop, check that the touchpad has not been turned off. Many laptops have a key with a touchpad symbol.
Good to know

If you cannot click anything at all, hold the power button for about ten seconds to turn the computer off, then start it again. Use this only as a last resort, since unsaved work is lost.