Mouse Not Working on Laptop? Try These Fixes

Sometimes the computer works perfectly, and it is just the connected devices that give users difficulty. The mouse is a simple device, but it is crucial to your time spent on the computer for the mouse to work in the first place.

This article will cover high-percentage solutions to help you utilize your mouse to function correctly. Before moving ahead, be sure to check the mouse port and mouse cable manually. Plugging the cable into a different port might be all needed, or the wire might be damaged.

Uninstall and Reinstall USB Port Drivers 

Suppose you are using an external mouse with your laptop and confronting an error, i.e., ‘Mouse not working on laptop’ as the cursor stops moving and does not appear on the screen. In that case, it could be due to potential reasons ranging from a faulty mouse to hardware conflict, connection issues, a corrupted operating system, incorrect or missing drivers, outdated drivers, or frozen devices.

• Must Read: Mouse Cursor Disappeared here’s how to fix it

Initially, you can start fixing the issue by trying to uninstall and reinstall USB mouse drivers. If the USB port driver is corrupted or you’ve tried to use a different USB port, you can see the error. Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Launch ‘device manager’ with windows key + X. 

Step 2: With the help of arrow keys, highlight ‘universal serial bus controller’ in the device manager window. 

Step 3: Expand the option of devices in the universal serial bus controller option. In the next step, highlight the option of ‘USB Composite Device’ and click ‘enter’ to continue. It will launch the ‘properties’ window. 

Step 4: In the USB hub properties, click the option of ‘drivers.’ Select the targeted driver and right-click to select ‘uninstall the device.’ Click ‘enter’ to confirm. Repeat the process with all USB port composite devices to uninstall the port drivers. 

Step 5: Restart the device for windows to reinstall the compatible drivers automatically, and then check if your other pointing devices or wireless mouse is operable.

Update Your Mouse Driver and Other Pointing Devices

Outdated mouse drivers can cause errors interfering with the normal functioning of hardware devices. (Whether it’s a connected or wireless mouse) Updating the drivers to the latest versions can resolve the error. Here are the steps to update the mouse drivers.

Step 1: Launch the manufacturer’s website to check the latest updates in drivers. 

Step 2: Select the compatible update for your device and click ‘download.’ Then restart your device to check if the error still exists as the download completes. 

Otherwise, one can use the device manager to update the driver. Here are the steps: 

Step 1: Launch’ device manager’ with windows key + X. Otherwise, click the windows icon in the main menu and select ‘device manager’ from the list. 

Step 2: In the next window, select the device and right-click it to select the option of ‘update driver’ from the drop-down. 

Step 3: Restart your device to check the error status as the update completes. 

Activate Windows Restore Point

Restoring your device and touchpad settings to the last working point can take you back to a working zone where your device is error-free. Hence, activating the windows restore point can prove beneficial to tackle the errors. Here are the steps to follow for captivating windows restore points. 

Step 1: Right-click the windows icon in the main menu to select ‘system’ from the list. 

Step 2: In the system window, select the option of ‘system protection.’ 

Step 3: In the next window, click on your primary drive and select the option ‘configure.’ 

Step 4: In the configure window, ‘turn on system protection.’ Click ‘ok’ to complete the action. It will activate the system restore on windows. 

Run the Hardware Troubleshooter

Running a troubleshooter for fixing both the ‘mouse not working on laptop’ error and mouse input may resolve the problem. Running a hardware troubleshooter can act as a quick fix if the issue is linked to any hardware malfunctioning.

It will run a brief scan and suggest appropriate fixes and properties for other wireless mice. Here are the steps to run the troubleshooter. 

Step 1: Launch the ‘control panel’ by typing ‘control panel‘ in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch it. 

Step 2: In the control panel, select the option of ‘troubleshooting’ followed by selecting ‘hardware and devices.’ 

Step 3: The device will start running troubleshooting. Allow your device to run the scan. Restart your laptop to check if the error is resolved as the scan completes. 

Reinstall Your Laptop Mouse Driver, Even if it’s a Bluetooth Mouse

If the updated version of the drivers is still not resolving the error, then reinstalling the drivers can help. You can use the device manager to reinstall the drivers. Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Launch’ device manager’ by right-clicking the windows icon in the main menu and selecting ‘device manager’ from the list. Otherwise, click the windows key+X to launch. 

Step 2: In the device manager window, expand ‘keyboards’ and select the option of ‘mice and other printing devices’ followed by clicking on the ‘HID-compliant mouse’ option in the following list.

Step 3: Allow your device to restart by permitting the mouse driver tab, and it will reinstall the correct driver for your mouse. 

Disable the Fast Startup Option

Using the fast startup feature may sometimes miss the embedded files of drivers installed on your device, leading to functionality errors as your device won’t recognize the hardware device. Hence, disabling the fast startup feature may resolve the problem. Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Launch the ‘Run’ utility via windows key+ R from the keyboard, and it will launch the Run command box.

Step 2: In the command box, type’ control’ and click ‘ok’ to continue to launch the control panel. 

Step 3: Set the view mode on ‘category’ followed by selecting the option ‘hardware and sound.’ 

Step 4: In the option of ‘power,’ click on ‘Choose what the power buttons do.’ In the next window, select the option of ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable.’ 

Step 5: Check if the ‘fast startup’ is turned off. Click ‘save changes’ and restart your device to resolve the error. Ensure that you also check the wireless USB adapter.

Check Mouse Properties on System Preferences and Control Panel

A way to troubleshoot and potentially fix this problem is by checking the properties of the mouse in your system settings. This can be done by going to the Control Panel or Device Manager, depending on your operating system, and searching for the specific device associated with your mouse.

Once you have located your mouse device, you should be able to view its properties and check for any known issues or errors. If any are detected, you may need to update your drivers or perform some other type of troubleshooting procedure to resolve the problem.

One can quickly fix the issue from mouse properties. Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Launch ‘Run’ by windows key+R. In the command box, type ‘main.cpl‘ and click ‘ok’ to continue. 

Step 2: In the next window, select the device settings option. Followed by selecting the targeted device from the list and toggling ‘enable.’ 

Step 3: Click ‘Apply’ to save the changes, followed by clicking ‘ok’ to complete the action. 

Run SFC Scan to Correct Driver when When Finding Broken Files

Mice can also stop functioning and cause errors due to corrupted or broken driver files. Running an SFC scan to fix the files can resolve the problem. Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Launch the command prompt by the start button and run it as an administrator with full privileges. 

Step 2: Type ‘sfc /scannow‘ in the command prompt. Click enter to continue. The SFC scan will initiate, and the issue will be resolved as soon as it completes. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Why My Mouse Is Not Working