Fix USB Mouse Keyboard Not Working Windows 10

If your USB mouse and keyboard stop working in Windows 10, the fix usually involves reinstalling the USB controller drivers, checking power management settings, or using a different USB port. Start by plugging the devices into a different port and restarting your PC; if that fails, work through the driver and power settings steps below.

Why USB Peripherals Stop Working

Windows 10 relies on a generic USB driver stack that handles all connected devices. When a mouse or keyboard suddenly stops responding, the cause is almost always one of three things: a driver conflict after an update, a power-saving feature that suspends the USB port, or a physical issue with the port or cable. Less common but possible are corrupted system files, a failing USB controller, or a BIOS setting that disables legacy USB support.

Understanding which scenario you’re in helps you pick the fastest fix. If the issue started right after a Windows Update, the driver is the prime suspect. If it happens randomly while the PC is idle, power management is likely cutting power to the port. If the devices never work on any port, the problem may be hardware or BIOS-related.

Quick Checks Before Diving Into Settings

Before you start uninstalling drivers, run through these quick checks—they take less than a minute and often solve the problem:

Unplug the mouse and keyboard, wait 10 seconds, then plug them back into a different USB port. Prefer a port directly on the motherboard at the back of the PC rather than a front-panel or hub port.
Test the devices on another computer. If they don’t work there either, the issue is the hardware itself, not Windows.
If you have a PS/2 port (older desktops), try a PS/2 mouse or keyboard to see if the USB controller is the problem.
Check for visible damage to the cable or connector. A bent or broken pin can cause intermittent failures.
Boot into BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del or F2 during startup). If the mouse and keyboard work there, Windows is the issue; if not, it’s hardware or BIOS.

These steps isolate the problem quickly. If the devices work in BIOS but not in Windows, proceed to the driver and power management fixes below.

Reinstall USB Controllers in Device Manager

The most reliable fix for driver-related USB failures is to uninstall and reinstall the USB controller drivers. This forces Windows to redetect the hardware and reload clean drivers.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
Look for entries like USB Root Hub or Host Controller. Right-click each one and select Uninstall device. Do not check the “Delete the driver software” box unless you have a specific reason.
Repeat for all USB controllers listed, but leave the mouse and keyboard entries alone for now.
Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the USB controllers on boot.

This often resolves conflicts caused by a recent update or a corrupted driver. If you can’t use the mouse or keyboard to navigate, use the Tab and arrow keys to move through Device Manager—Windows keyboard navigation works even when the mouse doesn’t.

Disable USB Power Saving

Windows 10 has a power management feature that can suspend USB ports to save energy. This is a common cause of intermittent failures, especially on laptops. When the port is suspended, the device stops responding until you unplug and replug it.

Open Device Manager again.
Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Right-click each USB Root Hub (and any Host Controller) 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 every hub listed.

Also check your power plan: go to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings. Look for USB settings > USB selective suspend setting and set it to Disabled. This prevents Windows from selectively suspending individual ports.

Update or Roll Back Drivers

If the problem started after a Windows Update, the new driver may be incompatible. You can roll back to the previous driver or update to the latest one.

Roll back: In Device Manager, right-click the problematic device (mouse, keyboard, or USB controller), select Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver. This option is grayed out if no previous driver exists.
Update: Right-click the device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look online for a better match.
Manufacturer driver: For gaming mice and keyboards, the manufacturer’s software often includes a specific driver. Downloading and installing that driver can fix issues that generic Windows drivers cause.

If you recently installed a Windows feature update and the problem persists, you can also use System Restore to revert to a point before the update. Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu, then click System Restore and follow the prompts.

Check BIOS and Legacy USB Support

Some motherboards have a setting called Legacy USB Support or USB Keyboard/Mouse Support in the BIOS. If this is disabled, USB devices won’t work before Windows loads, and sometimes they won’t work at all. Enter your BIOS (usually Del or F2 during boot), find the USB configuration section, and enable legacy support if it’s off.

Also check if XHCI Hand-off is enabled. This setting hands over USB control from the BIOS to the operating system. If it’s disabled, some USB devices may not initialize properly. Enabling it can resolve boot-time and driver issues.

Be careful when changing BIOS settings—only alter USB-related options. Save changes and exit, then test your devices.

When It’s Not the Driver: Hardware and Alternatives

If none of the above works, the issue may be physical. Try the devices on another PC to confirm they work. If they do, the USB controller on your motherboard might be failing. In that case, a PCIe USB expansion card is a cheap and reliable solution—it adds fresh USB ports that bypass the faulty controller.

Alternatively, you can use a PS/2 mouse or keyboard if your desktop has the ports, or use a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard temporarily. For laptops, a USB-C to USB-A adapter can let you use a different port if the standard ones are dead.

If the devices themselves are faulty, replacing them is the obvious fix. Wired mice and keyboards are inexpensive and generally more reliable than wireless ones for troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my USB mouse and keyboard work in BIOS but not in Windows?

This points to a Windows driver or power management issue. The BIOS uses its own basic USB driver, so if devices work there, the hardware is fine. Follow the steps to reinstall USB controllers and disable power saving—those are the most common fixes for this exact symptom.

Can a USB hub cause my mouse and keyboard to stop working?

Yes. Unpowered USB hubs often can’t supply enough power for multiple devices, especially gaming peripherals. Plug the mouse and keyboard directly into the PC’s ports. If you must use a hub, use a powered one with its own AC adapter.

What if I can’t use the mouse or keyboard to navigate Windows?

Use keyboard shortcuts: Tab moves between options, Enter selects, and arrow keys navigate lists. You can also boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4). Safe Mode uses minimal drivers, which can help you diagnose the issue.

Will reinstalling Windows fix USB issues?

It can, but it’s a last resort. Reinstalling Windows resets all drivers and system files, which would fix driver corruption. However, the steps above resolve most cases without a full reinstall. Try them first, and only reinstall if you’ve exhausted all other options.

Why do my USB devices work after unplugging and replugging?

That’s a classic sign of power management suspending the port. When you replug the device, Windows redetects it and wakes the port. Disabling USB selective suspend and the per-device power management option usually stops this from happening.

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

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