If your pointer suddenly stops responding, the fastest fix is often simple: check power, connections, and drivers. The most common causes of Mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10 are hardware (dead batteries, unplugged receiver), driver or power-management issues, and Windows settings or updates — and this article walks you through 14 precise reasons why it happens and how to fix each one.
You’ll learn step-by-step checks for hardware, USB and Bluetooth issues, driver fixes, system repairs, and preventive tips so you can restore cursor control quickly and avoid future problems.
Key Takeaway
Start with the simplest checks (batteries, cable/receiver, different USB port, surface) and then move to driver updates or power settings; most cursor problems are fixed by replacing batteries/trying another port or updating/reinstalling the mouse driver in Device Manager.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Dead or low batteries (wireless mice) | Replace or recharge the batteries. |
| 2. USB receiver unplugged or loose | Reconnect receiver to a different USB port. |
| 3. Faulty USB port or hub | Plug the mouse into a known-good USB port directly on the PC. |
| 4. Bluetooth not paired / off | Turn on Bluetooth and re-pair the mouse in Settings > Bluetooth & other devices. |
| 5. Driver issues (outdated/corrupt) | Update or reinstall the mouse driver via Device Manager. |
| 6. Conflicting drivers or devices | Disable other pointing devices (touchpad) or uninstall duplicates in Device Manager. |
| 7. Power management turning off USB | Disable USB power saving in Power Options and device properties. |
| 8. Mouse settings disabled or incorrect | Check Settings > Devices > Mouse for pointer options and enable features. |
| 9. Recent Windows Update or driver update | Roll back driver or uninstall recent update via Settings > Update & Security. |
| 10. Corrupted system files | Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. |
| 11. Hardware failure (mouse broken) | Test the mouse on another PC and replace if it fails. |
| 12. Dirty sensor or inappropriate surface | Clean the sensor and try a proper mousepad or different surface. |
| 13. BIOS/UEFI USB settings disabled | Enable Legacy USB Support or USB mouse support in BIOS/UEFI. |
| 14. Software conflicts (apps, remote tools) | Boot into Safe Mode or close conflicting apps; uninstall problem software. |
Detailed Fixes for “Mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10”
Below are step-by-step explanations and instructions for each reason listed above. Use the steps in order from easiest to more advanced.
1. Dead or low batteries (wireless mice)
Why this causes the problem:
- Wireless mice rely on batteries; low power leads to intermittent or no response.
How to fix:
- Remove old batteries and insert fresh AA/AAA or recharge the mouse battery.
- If rechargeable, plug the mouse into USB and let it charge for 10–30 minutes.
- Turn the mouse off and on after replacing batteries, and re-pair if necessary.
Tip: Keep spare batteries on hand and check the manufacturer’s battery life specs.
2. USB receiver unplugged or loose
Why this causes the problem:
- Wireless mice using a USB receiver require a solid connection; a loose receiver won’t communicate.
How to fix:
- Locate the USB receiver (small dongle).
- Unplug it and plug it into a different USB port (preferably a rear port on a desktop).
- If you have a USB extension or front hub, try plugging it directly into the PC.
Note: Some mice have a pairing button on the bottom — press it to re-establish connection.
3. Faulty USB port or hub
Why this causes the problem:
- A specific USB port can fail; powered hubs may not supply adequate power or have driver issues.
How to fix:
- Try a different USB port (USB 2.0 vs 3.0 can behave differently).
- Connect the mouse directly to the PC (remove intermediate hubs).
- Test the port with another device (USB flash drive) to confirm port functionality.
Tip: Use rear motherboard ports on desktops — they are usually more reliable.
4. Bluetooth not paired / off
Why this causes the problem:
- Bluetooth mice require pairing; if Bluetooth is off or pairing lost, the mouse won’t work.
How to fix:
- Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth and click Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
- Put the mouse in pairing mode (check manual), select it, and complete pairing.
- If it was paired and not working, remove the device and re-pair: click the device > Remove device, then add again.
Tip: Confirm Bluetooth Support Service is running: press Win + R, type services.msc, find Bluetooth Support Service, and ensure it is Started and Automatic.
5. Driver issues (outdated/corrupt)
Why this causes the problem:
- Drivers translate hardware signals; corrupt or incompatible drivers prevent the system from recognizing the mouse.
How to fix:
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager or run devmgmt.msc).
- Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
- Right-click your mouse > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If updating fails: right-click > Uninstall device, then restart Windows — Windows will reinstall drivers automatically.
- For branded mice (Logitech, Razer), download the latest driver from the manufacturer site and run the installer.
Note: Use Roll Back Driver (if available) under Properties > Driver when issues start after an update.
6. Conflicting drivers or devices
Why this causes the problem:
- Multiple pointing drivers (external mouse + touchpad) can conflict, or ghost devices can interfere.
How to fix:
- In Device Manager, look for duplicate devices or entries under Mice and other pointing devices.
- Disable the laptop touchpad temporarily: Settings > Devices > Touchpad > toggle Touchpad off (or use function key like Fn + F7).
- Uninstall any ghost devices: in Device Manager, click View > Show hidden devices, then uninstall any greyed-out mouse entries.
Tip: Reboot after changes.
7. Power management turning off USB
Why this causes the problem:
- Windows can turn off USB devices to save power, which may cut power to the mouse.
How to fix:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub > Properties.
- Go to Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK.
- Also check your mouse device under Mice and other pointing devices and disable any power-saving setting.
Advanced: Disable USB selective suspend: open Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings. Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting and set to Disabled.
8. Mouse settings disabled or incorrect
Why this causes the problem:
- Pointer speed, visibility, or other settings can make the cursor appear missing or behave oddly.
How to fix:
- Open Settings > Devices > Mouse.
- Ensure Select your primary button and Scroll options are set correctly.
- Click Additional mouse options (right side) to open legacy settings: check Pointer Options for speed and visibility settings.
- Enable Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key to help find the cursor.
Tip: If the cursor is invisible, press Ctrl to see it if the option above is enabled.
9. Recent Windows Update or driver update
Why this causes the problem:
- Updates can introduce incompatibilities or buggy drivers.
How to fix:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > View update history.
- Click Uninstall updates and remove the most recent update if the timing matches the problem onset.
- In Device Manager, right-click the mouse driver > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if available.
- Pause updates: Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options > Pause updates to prevent immediate reinstallation while troubleshooting.
Note: Always reinstall the corrected driver from the vendor site if you roll back.
10. Corrupted system files
Why this causes the problem:
- Damaged system files can break device functionality.
How to fix:
- Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) (right-click Start).
- Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues persist, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
- Reboot and test the mouse again.
Tip: These commands can take several minutes; let them finish.
11. Hardware failure (mouse broken)
Why this causes the problem:
- Internal components or the cable can fail; not a software issue.
How to fix:
- Test the mouse on another PC or try another mouse on your PC.
- If the mouse fails on multiple PCs, replace it — check warranty for replacements.
Tip: Keep a basic spare wired mouse for troubleshooting.
12. Dirty sensor or inappropriate surface
Why this causes the problem:
- Optical or laser sensors need a clean surface to track; glass or reflective surfaces cause erratic tracking.
How to fix:
- Power off the mouse, use compressed air to blow out dust around the sensor, or gently wipe the sensor with a lint-free cloth.
- Try the mouse on a different surface or use a mousepad.
- For older ball mice, remove and clean the ball and rollers.
Tip: Reflective surfaces (glass) often need a mouse designed for them or a pad.
13. BIOS/UEFI USB settings disabled
Why this causes the problem:
- USB ports or legacy USB support might be disabled in BIOS/UEFI, preventing mouse functionality before Windows loads.
How to fix:
- Restart the PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2, or indicated on boot).
- Find USB-related settings (often under Advanced or Peripherals) and enable USB Legacy Support or USB Mouse Support.
- Save changes and restart.
Caution: Be careful changing BIOS settings; note defaults before editing.
14. Software conflicts (apps, remote tools)
Why this causes the problem:
- Remote-desktop tools, virtualization, or specialized mouse utilities can take exclusive control of the pointer.
How to fix:
- Close remote tools (TeamViewer, AnyDesk), virtualization apps (VMware), or customization utilities temporarily.
- Reboot into Safe Mode to test: open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. After restart choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then choose Safe Mode.
- If the mouse works in Safe Mode, identify and uninstall the conflicting software or disable startup entries using Task Manager > Startup.
Tip: Consider uninstalling mouse software and reinstalling the latest stable version from the vendor.
Additional Tips and Preventive Measures
- Keep drivers and Windows updated but create a restore point before major changes (Control Panel > System > System protection).
- Use trusted vendor drivers for gaming/performance mice rather than generic drivers.
- Keep a spare wired mouse on hand for emergencies — plug-and-play wired mice are easiest for quick recovery.
- Regularly clean sensors and avoid reflective surfaces; use a good mousepad.
- For laptops, learn the touchpad toggle key (Fn + F-key) to quickly enable/disable touchpad when using an external mouse.
FAQ
Q: How can I control Windows when my mouse isn’t working?
Use the keyboard: Alt + Tab to switch apps, Win to open Start, Tab and Arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select. Press Win + X for quick access to Device Manager and other tools.
Q: Will updating Windows always fix mouse issues?
Not always — updates can both fix and introduce problems. Use driver updates from the device manufacturer and keep system restore points to roll back if needed.
Q: Can a virus cause my mouse to stop working?
Yes, malware can interfere with drivers or input handling. Run a full scan with Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus if you suspect malware.
Q: How do I test the mouse outside of Windows?
Try the mouse on another computer or boot a Linux live USB (Ubuntu live environment) — if the mouse works there, the issue is likely Windows-specific.
Q: When should I replace my mouse instead of troubleshooting?
If the mouse fails on multiple PCs, makes unusual noises, the cable is frayed, or internal switches stop clicking reliably, it’s time to replace it.
Conclusion
Most cases of Mouse doesn’t work in Windows 10 are resolved by simple checks: replace batteries, try another USB port, update or reinstall drivers, and disable USB power saving. If problems persist after the steps above, test the mouse on another machine and consider hardware replacement or professional diagnosis.
