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What to Do If Your Mouse Stops Working

Mouse non-responsive? Cursor on the fritz? Here are a few things to try before buying a new one.

(Credit: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock)

Your mouse is probably not a device you give too much thought—until it becomes a useless brick on your desk. If yours can't connect to your PC or only works intermittently, it's a problem. Do you need to get a new one? Not necessarily. While swapping in a cheap wireless mouse is an easy fix, there are a few things to try before you shell out for a new ergonomic or gaming mouse.


1. Check on the Power Source

Microsoft Surface Mobile Mouse
(Credit: Tom Brant/PCMag)

Like any other peripheral, a mouse needs power. Many mice have onboard indicator lights that will tell you if power is the issue. If your wireless mouse isn't working, check to see if there is a red or yellow light somewhere. This might sound obvious, but make sure it's actually turned on. Wireless mice usually include a power switch on the bottom. Look for that indicator light again when you switch it on.

Is your mouse out of juice? If it's battery-powered, open up the battery bay and swap in some fresh batteries to see if that resolves things. For rechargeable models, plug it in to a power source, and see if the charging indicator light comes on.


2. Make Sure You're Plugged In

Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse
(Credit: Mike Epstein/PCMag)

Many wireless mice require a dongle to work. These 2.4G mice come with an adaptor that plugs into a USB port on your computer and communicates with the device. Many but not all of these mice can also connect via Bluetooth. If you have one of these devices and can't connect, make sure the dongle is plugged in.

These USB receivers are usually small enough to be stored within the battery bay on the mouse itself, so open that up and see if a small connector is hidden within. If you find one, pull it out and plug it into the computer. Make sure your mouse is switched on and it should connect.

If you have a wired mouse, make sure it's plugged into a USB port. If it is, ensure the plug is in all the way. If that doesn't fix the problem, try carefully jiggling the plug in the port; if the mouse can only make a temporary connection, you may have a hardware issue.


3. Connect to Bluetooth

(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)

It's possible that your mouse is working fine but has yet to be paired with the computer—or it was paired and has since been unpaired. If your mouse doesn't connect via a dongle, you will have to do it manually through the Bluetooth menu.

Look for a Bluetooth-pairing button on the mouse. Sometimes this also doubles as the power button. Hold down the button and keep the mouse close to the computer to begin the pairing process. Can't find the button on the mouse? It can also be on the dongle if the mouse supports both types of connections.

If you're on a PC, Microsoft's Swift Pair feature should surface a notification about your device; click Connect to pair. Otherwise, you can manually connect the mouse:

  • Windows 11: Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices Add device Bluetooth then select your mouse.
  • Windows 10: Open Settings  Devices  Bluetooth & other devices  Add Bluetooth or other device  Bluetooth and select your mouse.
  • macOS: Open System Settings > Bluetooth. New devices will appear in the list; click Connect next to the device to pair your mouse.

PCMag's Top-Rated Computer Mice

4. Rule Out the USB Port

Lenovo Slim 7i 14 Gen 9
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado/PCMag)

If your mouse is plugged in and it's still not working, you may want to rule out the USB port itself. Plug your mouse into a different USB port and see if it works. You can also try plugging a different device into that same port. If you have another computer, plug the mouse into it and see if that solves the problem.

Just because the USB port isn't working, doesn't mean you need to visit the repair shop immediately. Check for any debris inside the port you might be able to clean out. You may also need to update your configurations or drivers from the Device Manager menu. For more on fixing your USB port, see our guide.


5. Update Drivers

(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)

Your mouse communicates with your computer through a small piece of software known as a driver. Usually, they hum along in the background, but things can go awry at times. To fix the issue in Windows, you may need to update or uninstall and re-download the driver.

Right-click on the Start menu and choose Device Manager from the list. Scroll down to Mice and other pointing devices and unfurl the down arrow. Right-click the appropriate device and click Update driver to pull in any updates. Or click Uninstall device to remove the driver, then restart your PC and Windows will automatically pull the right driver to hopefully solve the problem.

It's possible you also need to download a driver directly from your manufacturer's website. For more on updating your drivers, check out our guide.


6. Try a Mousepad

(Credit: Vilgun/Shutterstock)

Does the cursor jump around on the screen as you move the mouse? The problem may be with the surface you're using. Generally, you want to have your mouse on a flat, smooth, and opaque surface so that the light it emits is not interrupted. Generally speaking, you should try to avoid any overly reflective, glassy, or uneven surfaces. If this is a problem, you should consider a mousepad.


7. Update and Restart

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Before you throw in the towel, check for OS updates that may offer a fix. Windows and Mac users can take the following steps:

  • Windows 11: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  • Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
  • Mac: Open System Settings > Software Updates to scan for updates.

No updates available? Try the tried-and-true "turn it off and on again" method and hit the restart button. In Windows, click the Start menu, press the Power button, then select Restart. On a Mac, click Apple > Restart. With any luck, this will fix whatever hiccup was affecting your mouse.

About Jason Cohen