Fix USB Mouse and Keyboard Not Working

If your USB mouse and keyboard have stopped working, the fix is usually a matter of checking the physical connection, restarting the computer, or updating the USB controller drivers. Start by unplugging both devices, restarting your PC, and then plugging them back in—this resolves a large share of cases. If that fails, work through the steps below, which cover the most common causes and solutions for Windows and Mac systems.

Why USB Peripherals Stop Working

USB mouse and keyboard failures can stem from a handful of distinct causes. The most frequent are:

Driver corruption or conflicts – Windows or macOS may have an outdated or faulty USB driver, or a recent update may have introduced a conflict.
Power management settings – The OS may be turning off power to USB ports to save energy, which can cause intermittent or total failure.
Hardware issues – A damaged cable, port, or the device itself could be at fault.
Static electricity buildup – A residual charge in the motherboard can sometimes disable USB ports.
BIOS/UEFI settings – Legacy USB support may be disabled, preventing the devices from working before the OS loads.

Understanding which of these applies to your situation helps narrow down the fix. For example, if the mouse and keyboard work in the BIOS but not in Windows, the problem is almost certainly software-related.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, try these simple steps. They cost little time and often solve the issue immediately.

Check the physical connection – Unplug the mouse and keyboard, then plug them directly into a USB port on the computer case (not a hub or front-panel port). Try a different port if available.
Restart your computer – Use the mouse and keyboard if they work at all, or press the power button to restart. A fresh boot reloads drivers and clears temporary glitches.
Use a different device – If you have a spare USB mouse or keyboard, plug it in. If the spare works, your original device may be faulty.
Discharge static electricity – Shut down the computer, unplug it from the wall, then hold the power button for 15 seconds. Plug it back in and start normally.
Check for debris or damage – Inspect the USB connectors for bent pins or dirt, and look for frayed cables.

If none of these work, move on to the software-level fixes below.

Update or Reinstall USB Drivers

Driver issues are a leading cause of USB peripherals stopping. On Windows, you can update the USB controllers through Device Manager:

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Right-click each entry (e.g., “Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller”) and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.

If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the USB controllers:

In Device Manager, right-click the first USB controller and select Uninstall device.
Repeat for all USB controllers.
Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

On macOS, drivers are part of the system, so you typically can’t reinstall them individually. Instead, check for a macOS update via System Settings → General → Software Update.

Disable USB Power Saving

Windows and macOS both have power-saving features that can cut power to USB ports to save energy. This can cause devices to stop responding, especially after the computer has been idle.

On Windows:

Open Device Manager.
Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Right-click your USB Root Hub (there may be several) and select Properties.
Go to the Power Management tab.
Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Click OK and repeat for other USB Root Hubs.

On macOS: Go to System Settings → Battery (or Energy Saver on older versions) and uncheck Put hard disks to sleep when possible and Enable Power Nap if available. These settings can indirectly affect USB power.

Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

If your mouse and keyboard don’t work even at the BIOS screen (the manufacturer’s logo appears when you first turn on the PC), the issue is likely in the firmware. Enter the BIOS by pressing a key during startup—commonly Del, F2, or F12. Look for an option called Legacy USB Support or USB Keyboard/Mouse Support and ensure it is set to Enabled. Save changes and exit.

If the devices don’t work in BIOS, you may need to reset the BIOS to defaults (look for “Load Optimized Defaults” or similar) or update the BIOS from the manufacturer’s website. Be cautious: a BIOS update can be risky if done incorrectly, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

When the Problem Is Hardware

If software fixes don’t help, the hardware may be at fault. Test your mouse and keyboard on another computer. If they don’t work there either, they are likely defective and need replacement. If they work on another machine, the problem is your computer’s USB ports or motherboard.

Try a USB hub with its own power supply—sometimes the port doesn’t provide enough power for the device. Also, check if the issue occurs with all USB ports or just one. If only one port fails, that port may be damaged; you can often continue using other ports.

For laptops, a failing battery or power adapter can cause USB ports to behave erratically. If your laptop is plugged in, try unplugging it and running on battery (or vice versa) to see if that changes anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my USB mouse and keyboard stop working after a Windows update?

Windows updates can sometimes overwrite or conflict with existing USB drivers. The update may also change power management settings. Try reinstalling the USB controllers via Device Manager as described above. If that fails, use System Restore to roll back to a point before the update.

Can a USB port stop working because of static electricity?

Yes. Static discharge can temporarily disable USB ports. Discharging the motherboard by holding the power button for 15 seconds with the computer unplugged often restores functionality. This is a common fix in tech support circles.

My mouse and keyboard work in the BIOS but not in Windows. What does that mean?

This indicates the hardware is fine and the issue is software—likely a driver conflict or a Windows setting. Focus on updating/reinstalling USB drivers and checking power management settings. You may also try booting into Safe Mode to see if the devices work there; if they do, a third-party driver is the culprit.

Is there a way to use my mouse and keyboard while I troubleshoot?

Yes. If you have a PS/2 mouse or keyboard (older round connectors), you can use those. Alternatively, you can use the on-screen keyboard in Windows (via the Ease of Access menu) and the mouse keys feature (numeric keypad controls the pointer) to navigate until the USB devices work again.

Could a virus cause USB devices to stop working?

In rare cases, malware can disable USB drivers or change system settings. If you suspect a virus, run a full system scan with your antivirus software. However, driver issues and power management are far more common causes.

Should I replace my mouse and keyboard if they stop working?

Only after you’ve confirmed they don’t work on another computer. If they do work elsewhere, the problem is your computer’s settings or hardware. If they don’t work anywhere, replacement is the practical solution, as repairing individual peripherals is usually not cost-effective.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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