Why a wired mouse doesn't work on a laptop. If there is an exclamation mark next to our mouse in the task manager. Video: how to fix a USB port on a laptop

You turn on your laptop or all-in-one computer and notice that the mouse on the laptop does not work - what to do in this situation, how to resolve the issue? In this article we will talk about why the mouse does not work on a laptop, we will tell you about the main reasons and solutions.

Why doesn't the mouse work on my laptop?

Let's find out the main reasons why the mouse on a laptop does not work.

Windows terminology

In that manual The troubleshooting steps assume that the user is using Windows (XP/Vista/7). Please note that instructions may vary for different versions of modifications.

The "Start Menu" is a window in the lower left corner of the user's screen that can be accessed by clicking the " Windows" or "Start".

« Control Panel" is a window that links to many of the computer's settings. Usually it opens from the menu " Start" On the right half of the start menu there should be a button labeled “Control Panel.”

Additionally, there may be a button that says " Devices and Printers", which is a shortcut to most mouse settings. Note: If you don't have a comfortable mouse, you can access the Control Panel by pressing the Windows Key + R, typing " control" in the dialog box that opens and pressing Enter or the "Ok" button.

Types of mice that can be used on a laptop

If we talk about the types of mice that can be used on a laptop, we can note the main ones:

Optical. Or as it is also called a wired laser mouse.
Optical wireless mouse. Such a device operates via a Wireless Bluetooth connection using a special signal router that is connected to the laptop.
Well, the last thing is the Touchpad. This thing is an important part of every laptop, which makes the device mobile and convenient for many.

By the way, we have already talked about the best mice of this year.

How to use my computer without a mouse

A broken mouse can be a unique challenge. If you don't have a backup mouse that works, navigating your computer can be difficult. Luckily, if your keyboard still works, you can still do almost everything you can with a mouse.

This article explains how you can do many basic things without using a mouse, here's a short list:

TAB: Allows you to navigate between various selectable elements in your current program (for example, toggles between links on a web page). note that SHIFT+TAB behaves the same, but moves your selection in the opposite direction.
ARROW and ENTER: When using the menu at the top of the program (File, Edit, Help, etc.) you can use the arrow keys to select which menu item you want to use, then click ENTER to use it.
ALT+TAB: Switch between running programs.
ENTER: Typically can be used to left-click.
SHIFT + F10: Can be used for the right mouse button.
WINDOWS KEY or CTRL + ESC: Opens the Windows Start menu.
ALT+F4: Closes the current program.
WINDOWS KEY + R: Allows you to run various programs. Type "control" and press ENTER to launch the Control Panel.

Mouse won't turn on

When the computer is on but there is no light coming from the bottom of the mouse. Let's find out the main reasons why the mouse on a laptop does not work?

Incorrectly connected

In case the mouse cursor is not responding, make sure your USB is connected to a USB port that can be used. Make sure the only mouse connected to your computer is the one you're working with.

The mouse is on, but the cursor does not move

You have confirmed that the mouse is turned on (for optical mice there is a light at the bottom), but moving your physical mouse does not move the cursor on the screen.

Textured surfaces are better because they allow the mouse to more easily recognize movement. Choose a mouse pad that is not shiny or transparent. You can temporarily use some type of paper or folder to place under your mouse.

The mouse is dirty

If the bottom of the mouse is not clean, dirt may interfere with the sensor's operation. Use a damp towel or wipe to clean the bottom so the light has a clear path back to the sensor.

Incorrect computer settings

Your mouse settings may be changed in some way. To fix this, go to the control panel (menu " Start"or "Windows" -> "Control Panel").

Then go to the section Equipment and sound" and look in the section " Devices and Printers" (note that "Devices and Printers" can be directly accessed from the computer's Start menu). Select the "Mouse" option.

The settings will then appear on your screen. Select "Default" and then exit it. This will change the mouse settings to the default settings. If this doesn't work, try restarting your computer. Turn off and then turn your mouse back on your computer after the restart process is complete.

What to do if the cursor jumps around

During normal use, the mouse sometimes exhibits radiation behavior.

Using the wrong surface (mouse pad)

The mouse may be unresponsive because you have it on a clear or shiny surface.

The mouse needs a surface that can reflect the outgoing beam from the LED to the sensor in the mouse.

The mouse is dirty

Buttons don't work

You can click the mouse, but nothing happens on the computer; OR, you can't press the mouse buttons.

Check for obstacles

Make sure nothing is blocking the buttons. Paper, crumbs, or food may resist the buttons or prevent them from clicking correctly. Try blowing under the buttons or using something small (like a paperclip) to remove larger obstructions. If you can't easily remove the obstruction, disassembling the mouse may be a viable option to check for hidden blockages.

Incorrect computer settings

The issue is resolved as in the method above.

Buttons can be replaced

If your mouse is older or has been used for a while, the buttons may be so worn that they are ineffective. If so, you can restore them by replacing the worn parts.

USB is worn out or broken

Any USB mouse cable is susceptible to damage if you press it frequently, get it caught in the door, or let your cat chew on it.

Remove damaged wires

If part of the cable is damaged, you can cut out the broken part and solder the internal wires together.

Replace damaged plug

If the USB plug itself is damaged, you can unplug the plug and solder a new one.

conclusions

We hope you figured out the reason why the mouse on your laptop does not work. If you have your own options, talk about them in the comments.

In this article we will try to give the most complete answer to the question why the mouse does not work and we will try to answer all related questions, such as: why the touchpad on a laptop or a wireless mouse may not work.
Almost every user sooner or later encounters such a problem as problems with the computer mouse. This can happen for many reasons, which, in turn, can be divided into two groups, depending on the source of the problem: hardware or software. What are these reasons, and how to eliminate them?

Reasons why the mouse may not work

Software

Software problems include:

Problems associated with the harmful operation of viruses,
driver failures or damage, as well as in the event of opening damaged files or archives.

Hardware

Hardware problems are problems caused by damage to the mouse itself. These include:

Wire deformation;
Contacts are damaged or clogged with debris.

It often happens that a user, while working at a computer, drinks tea, coffee or some other drink and spills the liquid. This often results in the mouse being disabled.
When purchasing a new mouse with a USB input and finding that the cursor refuses to move after connecting the device to the computer, do not rush to sound the alarm. Most likely, the installed operating system does not have the necessary drivers.

Troubleshooting solutions

The good news for all users is that it is quite possible to cope with most malfunctions on your own. To do this, it is enough to have at least basic knowledge of how hardware works. So, the action plan is:

First of all, check your computer for viruses or other malware. You can do this using free antivirus programs, such as Avast.
If this does not help, then proceed to the next step: reinstall the mouse driver, which could very well be infected with a virus.
If this is not possible, then try restoring the previous version of the OS (operating system). How to do this in the video below:

Why the mouse does not work on a laptop: common reasons and ways to solve them

Reasons Why doesn't the mouse work on a laptop? there may be many. But this trouble is easily eliminated. First you need to determine what type of mouse is used for the laptop (touchpad, wired or wireless). Each type has its own characteristic causes of problems and ways to solve them.

Touchpad not working on laptop

If problems arise with the operation of the touchpad, they can be solved by correctly identifying the cause of the problem. So, the most common situations:

Incorrect operation (freezes, interruptions, cursor disappears from the screen).
The reason may be incorrect settings. When installing, it is recommended to use the included driver.
In addition, special attention is paid to the cleanliness of the touchpad - simple surface contamination reduces the sensitivity of the device.
It is forbidden to work with wet hands. To fix this problem, just clean the sensor from dirt and let it dry completely.
The device does not respond.

The reason is that the panel is disabled. Solutions:

if present, check the on/off button;
in some models, the touchpad turns off when an external device (wired or wireless mouse) is connected - disconnect the additional pointing device;
In the BIOS settings, enable the support function for this panel (the enabled value for the Internal Pointing Device parameter).

If the problem cannot be resolved, you must contact the technical support center.

Reasons Why don't my mouse buttons work on my laptop? There may be problems with the mouse itself or a failure of the USB port, as well as incorrect connections and settings. To check, connect the mouse to a different socket or to another computer. If everything works, then you need to clean the input channels. Do not use long-haired rags or cotton wool as cleaning materials, and do not overdo the material with moisture. If the mouse does not react, it cannot be saved.
Wireless mice are becoming increasingly popular among users. The main problems with this type of mouse are:

Complete lack of response to manipulation;
Slow operation, freezing or slowing down.

The reasons for this may be:

the mouse is not connected (insert the adapter (USB receiver) into the USB port and turn the button on the mouse body into working condition);
The batteries are low (replace with new ones, and correct operation will be ensured again). The reason is quite banal, but many do not even suspect that the mouse is powered by batteries.
It is recommended to use rechargeable batteries rather than regular batteries - this will prolong the operation of the device. In addition, if the manipulations described above did not help, you should check the functionality of the USB port to see if it is dirty. Perhaps the mouse itself is faulty. In this case, there is only one way out - replacing the mouse.

The mouse may not work in certain applications, but this is an individual story for each application. In the meantime, as an example, here’s a video with a solution to the problem why the mouse doesn’t work in the GTA game:

If you encounter a problem where the mouse on your laptop does not work, do not rush to purchase a new input device. Since the mouse is designed quite simply, in most cases you can easily identify the cause of the problem and fix it.

Why doesn't the mouse work on my laptop?

Most often the problem occurs for one of the following reasons:

operating system failure;
failure of the laptop's USB interface;
Malfunction of the USB mouse connector;
cable damage (if a wired mouse is used);
the batteries are completely discharged (in the case of a wireless mouse);
accumulation of static charge;
damage to the operating system by malware.

The mouse does not work on a laptop - instructions for solving the problem

First of all, pay attention to whether the mouse backlight turns on when you connect it to the computer. If there is no backlight, switch the mouse to any other USB port on the laptop. Didn't bring results? Then inspect the mouse for damage to the cable. If possible, connect the mouse to another computer and check its functionality.
If the wireless mouse on your laptop does not work, make sure that it is turned on using the button or switch located on its case. In addition, you should pay attention to whether the battery is inserted correctly and whether it is discharged.
If you do not find any mechanical damage to the input device or USB interfaces of the laptop, then try rebooting the system. Often this simple action helps to get rid of problems that arise as a result of software failures.
Go to the Device Manager service and expand the Mice and other pointing devices category. Make sure there is no exclamation mark next to the connected mouse. Otherwise, open the context menu from the icon, click “Update Drivers” and follow the instructions on the screen.
Enter safe mode (read how to do this on Windows XP, 7 and 8; if you have the Windows 10 operating system, open). If your mouse starts functioning again in Safe Mode, your computer is most likely infected with a virus that is blocking your input devices. To solve the problem, produce .
Turn off your laptop, unplug the power adapter, and remove the battery. Then hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This way you will remove static charge, which in some cases can be the reason why the mouse on a laptop does not work.

5 875

Quite often, a typical user is faced with the problem of a malfunctioning mouse. There may be several reasons for this, and it can be difficult to determine a specific one why the computer does not see the mouse. This article discusses the most common problems and breakdowns that arise with “rodents” of different price categories and technical features. So let's get started!

Why the computer “does not see” the mouse: how to determine the cause and solve the problem

Malfunction of any input device can generally be attributed to one of three reasons:

Broken USB port;
The device itself is broken (in our case, the mouse);
Device drivers are not installed or are not working correctly.

In addition to the above, there may be another reason. For example, in additional software or driver incompatibility. But first, let’s look at these three problems, because almost always they lead to the fact that the computer “does not see” the mouse.

USB port is faulty

Before talking about the failure of the mouse itself, it makes sense to check the USB port to which you connect it. Very often the mouse refuses to work because the port is physically broken. By the way, the same applies to the PS/2 port, which is used to connect older models to personal computers. So, first of all, let's check the connector itself.

Visual inspection of the connector

A working USB connector will work with other USB devices. So first of all, try connecting a flash drive or another mouse to it. If the computer “does not see” them either, then the port is broken or faulty.

First check for physical defects. To do this, carefully inspect the connector. It should look something like the photo above. Mainly check if the white strip is cracked (may be black or blue for USB 3.0). If possible, look deeper. You will see six golden contacts. The absence of any of them also indicates a breakdown.

If the USB port visually appears to be working properly, the reason may lie in the software.

Checking the software connection of the USB port in Windows and Linux

Since the computer does not “see” the mouse, it makes sense to check whether it “sees” the USB port itself. The easiest way to do this is through the BIOS. To enter the BIOS, you need to press a certain key (Del, F12, etc.) in the first few seconds after turning on the computer. You can usually see a prompt telling you which key to press.

After entering the BIOS, find the menu item (moving with the arrow keys) “Integrated Peripherals” or “Advanced”. Enter it with the Enter key. On the screen that opens you will see the “USB Configuration” item. Enter it.

The “USB Functions” and “USB Controller” items must have the property. Otherwise, press Enter to switch mode.

Now let's check the USB port drivers. To do this in Windows, follow the path: Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager. In the window that opens, find the “USB Controllers” item and double-click on it. The presence of a question mark next to any of the rows of the list indicates the absence of a driver. This means it needs to be installed. The driver can be located on the disk that came with the motherboard or (for laptops) on the manufacturer's website. If there are no signs, right-click on each item and select "Update Drivers".

You can check the connection and USB port drivers on Linux with the command “lspci | grep -i usb". Its result will be a list of USB ports, the number of rows of which should correspond to the number of available connectors on the device. For example:

00:03.0 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems USB 1.1 Controller (rev 0f)
00:03.1 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems USB 1.1 Controller (rev 0f)
00:03.3 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems USB 2.0 Controller

So, if none of the above helped or did not occur, then the problem is still in the mouse itself.

Video: installing a USB driver

The mouse itself is broken

If everything is fine with the computer, you need to check the hardware and software of the mouse. Among the main hardware reasons for the malfunction of the input device are:

Sensor malfunction;
Broken cable or USB adapter;

Sensor malfunction

Very often the cause of a mouse not working is a broken sensor. It is quite easy to determine, but not always. On most modern optical mice, the sensor is illuminated in red. Just turn the mouse over (while it is connected to the computer) and check this fact.

But many manufacturers (especially laser “rodents”) make the sensor invisible, that is, without a characteristic glow. Then it is impossible to manually determine whether the sensor is working. In this case, move on to the next point.

What to do if the cable or USB adapter breaks

If you use a wired mouse, it makes sense to check the wire connecting the device and the computer. Strong bends can cause damage. In addition, check the USB output of the mouse itself (in the same way as you checked the computer’s USB port earlier).

If you use a wireless mouse, check its adapter in the same way. If it breaks, the adapter can be replaced with a new one. But only a service center employee can choose the right one. So it's better (and cheaper) to just buy a new mouse.

Problem with the software

If none of the causes of the hardware failure are identified, most likely the problem is in the software. Namely, in the drivers. First of all, if the mouse suddenly fails, restart your computer. Sometimes this helps, but not as often as I would like.

The main problems with driver operation can be classified as follows:

The driver is not installed;
The driver is not suitable for your device;
The driver is out of date;
Program conflict.

Driver not installed

The reason may be obvious, but not always. The fact is that not all manufacturers put a driver disc in the box with the mouse. If you don't have it, go to the official website of the mouse brand and look for the driver there. After installation, you may have a special program for setting up the mouse (as, for example, in the photo). Launch it and follow the internal instructions.

To check whether the mouse driver is installed on Windows, go to Device Manager (the transition process is described above). There, find the item “Mice and other pointing devices.” The absence of question marks indicates that the driver is working correctly. You can immediately update it, as we did earlier for USB ports. To see installed drivers on Linux, enter the command "lspci".

By the way, most manufacturers load a basic driver into the USB adapter or output, so you don't need to worry about installing it. In this context, we are talking more about special driver programs.

Not suitable for your device

If you downloaded the driver yourself, there is a high chance that it simply does not suit your device. In this case, it is better to remove it. If the mouse does not work either with or without a driver, contact support on the manufacturer’s website. They will help you choose the right software.

It is likely that the driver version for your mouse is not compatible with your specific operating system. For example, older programs are not supported on Windows 10, or not all manufacturers produce drivers for Linux-like operating systems. You can find out about compatibility on the manufacturer’s website or on the box with the mouse. In this case, only reinstalling the operating system or replacing the mouse will help. Remember that you can return the item to the store up to 14 days after purchase.

Video: installing the driver through the device manager

The driver is out of date

It's unlikely that the old version of the driver suddenly stopped working, but it is still possible. Just find the update on the manufacturer's website or simply reinstall the driver.

Program conflict

This problem quite often causes many programs to not work correctly. Its essence is that some applications may enter into a “conflict” - prevent each other from executing their code. A conflict most often occurs when two programs are similar. For example, if you installed additional software to control or configure your mouse, it may conflict with the main driver. As a result, the mouse stops working altogether.

On Windows you can easily determine if there is a conflict. To do this, restart your computer in safe mode. Now click “Start” and place the cursor in the “Search programs and files” line. Type "msconfig" and press Enter.

On the Services tab, check the box next to the words “Do not display Microsoft services.” Now uncheck all services in the main window. Restart your computer. If the problem is truly a program conflict, your mouse will work in this mode. Go back to "msconfig" and restore all the markings.

Knowing that the problem is a program conflict, you need to try to remove those applications that you installed recently.

If you remember at what point the mouse stopped working, there will be no problems at all.

Video: how to determine what is missing in the software

Causes of problems and their solutions

To understand whether the device really does not work or the problem lies with your computer, you need to connect it to another PC or laptop. If the mouse turns out to be fully functional, then try inserting it into another port on your main computer - it is known that USB ports often “glitch”, and rearranging the plug gives the result. If you have a PS/2 mouse, I recommend purchasing a special PS/2/USB adapter so that you can use the device via any USB port. The PS/2 connector itself may not be working, hence the problems.

The next step is to carefully look at the mouse, in particular at the LED. If it lights up, but the device does not want to work, then the problem is probably in the “software”. First, try just restarting your computer (and don’t laugh, this works in many cases) and if that doesn’t help, then try installing the driver specifically for your device. To do this, go to the manufacturer’s official website and download the necessary drivers.

In some cases, a problem may occur after installing this or that software - there is probably a conflict in the system, as a result of which the mouse stops responding to any actions. Often something similar happens when viruses get onto a computer. What to do in such situations? It is recommended to boot the computer in safe mode and check the functionality of the “rodent”. If it works, then we either remove the installed software or roll back the system to an earlier date. And of course, don’t forget to scan your PC for viruses.

Interestingly, users of PS/2 mice encounter this problem more often. Why? The fact is that the plug used in such devices is not ideal. It consists of many contacts (sort of pins) that tend to bend. For example, you removed the plug from the port and inserted it back, after which the mouse stopped working. Apparently, some of the pins are bent and need to be returned to their normal position. This can be done, for example, using the most ordinary tweezers or something sharp (even the most ordinary ballpoint pen may suit you). USB mice are completely free of this problem due to a much more thoughtful system.

Theoretically, the wire could be damaged. This rarely happens, since it is not subjected to strong mechanical stress. Still, pets often chew through the wire. So, we carefully examine it for external damage, and if you haven’t found any, then do the following: pick up the mouse and start moving the wire. If the indicator (LED) starts blinking at this moment, then, apparently, the problem is really in the wire. It will need to be replaced, although in most cases it will be cheaper to purchase a new rodent.

If you use a wireless mouse, the most common cause of the problem is a dead battery, as well as a problem with the Bluetooth receiver driver.

Now let's move on to the buttons and wheel. When it comes to buttons, the failure of one or both of them is most often due to a mechanical problem. Theoretically, you can resolder the chip, but usually this is not economically viable - a new mouse costs the same amount, if not cheaper. But if the wheel gets stuck, then it makes sense to disassemble the device and clean it of dirt - hair and other “charms” get wrapped around the wheel, which interfere with its operation. Try cleaning the wheel, everything should return to normal.

Continuing the conversation about buttons, we cannot fail to mention that for additional buttons that are located on the sides of the mouse (they are usually used in games), it is necessary to install other drivers that come with the device. They can also be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

If the mouse still works, but not quite adequately, for example, jumps from side to side, then dirt may be to blame for this (in the case of ball mice this is, one might say, normal) and problems with settings. If in the first case it is enough to clean the device from dirt, then in the second you need to play with the settings. For example, try adjusting the sensitivity of your gadget. How to do it, I.

If problems with inoperability arise in games, or rather, the mouse does not work in a particular position, then the problem is 99% in the settings of the game itself.

What can't you do?

If you recently purchased a mouse that is under warranty and it stops working, do not try to repair it yourself - this may void your warranty.

You can damage the device if you try to repair it yourself without the necessary skills. Therefore, I recommend contacting specialists with such problems.

Finally, I will say that in most cases it is quite easy to solve the problem yourself; to do this, you just need to find the cause of the problem, which most often lies in the “software”. If you have any questions, please contact us.