Why My Mouse is Not Working on Laptop – Quick Fixes

Not having your mouse respond to the mouse can be really frustrating, and it can put all your work on hold. But one may ask, what is wrong with it? There are multiple issues why a mouse won’t work on a laptop, ranging from hardware to drive and connectivity.

To figure out why your mouse is not working on the laptop and fix it accordingly, I have brought together some quick fixes. So, let’s get in for more.

Why My Mouse is Not Working on Laptop

Dirt on the Mouse

The most obvious reason why the mouse may not work on a laptop is the dirt that comes from your fingers. And it is mostly caused by your carelessness. Most people don’t think twice before touching their touchpads and mouse buttons with dust and oil on their fingers, and it can be pretty damaging.

And if you immediately find that the mouse is not responding to movement or gets out of control, take an isopropyl alcohol pad and clear it thoroughly. You can also use compressed air to get rid of anything stuck under the mouse buttons. This will probably solve the issue.

Bluetooth Devices

If it still doesn’t solve the issue, this may be because of the interference of Bluetooth devices on your laptop. You can check this by disconnecting all the Bluetooth devices from your laptop.

And if your mouse starts working again after disconnecting them, it is fine. Before you check it, make sure to restart the laptop.

Not Having a Proper Internet Connection

Another reason why your mouse is not working on the laptop can be the internet connection. Most laptops have a Reset button that allows you to check whether the device has a stable wireless connection or not.

If it is already connected, try reconnecting it after some seconds. And if your laptop uses a USB wireless connection, unplug it and wait for thirty seconds. Plug it back again, and the laptop will get an uninterrupted connection.

Hardware Issues

The unresponsive mouse can also be a result of multiple hardware issues. And the only thing that can solve such an issue is a new mouse. Try using an idle mouse with your computer setup and check whether it is working fine.

If the mouse still doesn’t work, it is the mouse port that is faulty. This is especially the case with those who are using PS/2 or USB ports. And replacing this is definitely less costly than fixing the older mouse.

Missing Mouse Driver

Most laptops won’t have mouse drivers installed in them, which is why you can locate the touchpad in the device manager. The simplest way to check is by going to the device manager and checking whether the mouse drivers are installed. If not, you need to install the specific mouse for the laptop. You can check it from the manufacturer’s official website.

If they are already installed, and you are unable to use the mouse properly, you need to update them. You can find them from the manufacturer’s list of drivers online. Doing this will surely improve the performance of your laptop’s mouse.

Disabled Touchpad on your Laptop

Likewise, the touchpad disabled by the function key can also be a cause of the mouse not responding. This happens to most of them accidentally, which is pretty normal. The best part is that you can easily enable it using the system settings. Here are some steps that can help you in enabling the touchpad on your laptop on Windows 10;

• First, press the Window key and locate the searcher. Type Touchpad in the search and go to the Touchpad Settings. Next, check whether it is off. If this is the case, press Shift + Tab to navigate the menu and press Space on your keyboard to turn it on.

And if you are using a MacBook, the steps are a little different.

• Go to our System Settings and select Accessibility. Then, click the Pointer Control from the bottom of the page and tick mark the checkbox. And if the built-in wireless trackpad option is selected, deselect the checkbox.

Outdated Drivers on the Device

There is absolutely no doubt that having faulty and outdated drivers can interfere with the performance of your hardware. Hence, it is always recommended by manufacturers to opt for the right type of driver. Manually updating the drivers on Windows is pretty easy and has no complicated steps. So, let’s get in for more.

• First, press the Windows button and type the Device Manager in the searcher. Next, use the Tab button to navigate the menu and select the pointing devices. Then, right-click the Update Driver Software from the list, and it will automatically scan for some hardware changes. Finally, restart your device, and it is all done. Your mouse should be working fine now.

If you are a Macbook user, simply go to the manager and check whether there is any system software available. If it is the case, simply update the system and restart the laptop. The issue must be resolved by now.

Anything Else?

Apart from the above-mentioned issues, there can be other problems that can lead to a mouse not functioning properly. Here are some of them.

• If the number lock key is working on your laptop, the mouse may not work properly. This is because it has an indicator that is on and off the keyboard. And if by any means the indicator doesn’t work, it will result in hardware malfunction, including the mouse.
• If you have installed new hardware in the laptop, it may interfere with the working of the mouse.
• Not connecting the mouse properly will also result in it not working properly.
• If you are using a wireless mouse, it is important to make sure it has a consistent supply of power.

Conclusion

If you are a student or professional working in the field the entire day, not having a responsive mouse is worse than everything else. It can not only disturb your workflow but also can lead to frustration. However, the good news is that you can fix it by investigating its cause and finding the right solution. So, give this guide a read and solve this issue.