If your laptop mouse is not working, don’t panic! There are a few common reasons why this might happen, and most of them are easy to fix.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to help you get your mouse back in working order.
Reasons for Laptop Mouse Not Working
There are three main reasons why your laptop mouse might not be working:
- Hardware issues – This could include a loose connection, a low battery, or a problem with the Bluetooth connection (if you have a wireless mouse).
- Software issues- This could include outdated or corrupted drivers or a disabled touchpad.
- Dirt/dust accumulation – If your mouse is dirty or dusty, it may not be able to track properly.
5 Troubleshooting Guide to Fix Laptop Mouse not working
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try if your laptop mouse is not working:
Fix 1: Check hardware connections and power source
Make sure that your mouse is properly plugged into your laptop. If you’re using a wireless mouse, make sure that the batteries are fresh and that the receiver is plugged into a working USB port. Moreover, if you’re using a Bluetooth mouse, make sure that it is paired with your laptop and that the Bluetooth connection is enabled.
Fix 2: Try different USB ports
If you’re using a wired mouse, try plugging it into a different USB port. Sometimes, a USB port can go bad, so this is a quick and easy way to test if that’s the problem.
Fix 3: Update drivers and restart the laptop
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause all sorts of problems, including mouse issues. To update your mouse drivers, right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager. So, expand the Mice and other pointing devices section, right-click on your mouse, and select Update driver software. Finally, restart your laptop once the drivers have been updated.
Fix 4: Clean the mouse
If your mouse is dirty or dusty, it may not be able to track properly. So, use a damp cloth to clean the mouse sensor and the surface of the mouse pad.
Fix 5: Check touchpad settings/enable touchpad
If you’re using a laptop, you may have accidentally disabled the touchpad. To check the touchpad settings, go to Settings, click on Devices, and finally, select Touchpad. You need to make sure that the Touchpad slider is enabled.
Advanced Solutions
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps above and your mouse is still not working, you can try the following advanced solutions:
Running hardware troubleshoot
Windows has a built-in hardware troubleshooter that can help you identify and fix problems with your hardware devices. To run the hardware troubleshooter, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Click on Find and fix other problems, and then select Hardware and Devices. Finally, click Run the Troubleshooter and follow the instructions.
Reinstalling mouse drivers
If you’re still having problems with your mouse, you can try reinstalling the drivers. To do this, go to Device Manager and right-click on your mouse. Next, select Uninstall device and then restart your laptop. Finally, Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers when it restarts.
Disabling Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a feature in Windows that helps your laptop start up faster. However, it can also cause problems with some devices, including mice. So, to disable Fast Startup, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do. Finally, click on Change settings that are currently unavailable. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended). Finally, click Save Changes.
Updating Windows
Sometimes, a Windows update can fix problems with devices and drivers. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Next, click on Check for updates. Finally, if there are any updates available, install them and restart your laptop.
Conclusion
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps above and your laptop mouse is still not working, you may need to contact the manufacturer of your laptop or mouse for further assistance.