Diagnose Why Your Mouse Is Not Working
If your mouse is not responding, moving incorrectly, missing clicks or scrolling unexpectedly, use the quick diagnostic below first. Then follow the troubleshooting steps to identify whether the problem is caused by the mouse, USB connection, wireless connection, settings or software.
Free Mouse Diagnostic Check
Test basic mouse movement and button input directly in your browser.
Why Is My Mouse Not Working?
A mouse may stop working because of a disconnected USB cable, faulty USB port, depleted battery, wireless receiver problem, Bluetooth connection issue, driver problem, operating-system setting or physical mouse failure. Sometimes the mouse itself is working correctly and the problem is caused by the computer or the application being used.
The fastest way to find the cause is to test the mouse systematically. Check the physical connection first, then test movement and buttons, and finally investigate drivers and system settings.
What to Do When Your Mouse Stops Working
- Reconnect the mouse. For a wired mouse, unplug it and reconnect it securely.
- Try another USB port. A faulty or problematic USB port can prevent the mouse from responding.
- Check the power. For a wireless mouse, replace or recharge the battery.
- Check the wireless receiver. Make sure the receiver is connected correctly and is not blocked by nearby devices or objects.
- Check Bluetooth. If the mouse uses Bluetooth, confirm that Bluetooth is enabled and that the mouse is connected.
- Move the mouse. Use the diagnostic tool above to see whether movement events are detected.
- Test both buttons. Check left and right clicks separately.
- Restart the computer. A temporary operating-system or driver problem can sometimes be cleared by a restart.
Mouse Not Working on USB
If a wired mouse is not working, start with the simplest physical checks. Inspect the cable for visible damage and reconnect the mouse directly to the computer rather than through an unnecessary adapter or hub.
Try a Different USB Port
Connect the mouse to another USB port. If the mouse immediately starts working, the original port may be the source of the problem.
Test Another USB Device
Connect another known-working USB device to the same port. This can help determine whether the problem is isolated to the mouse or the computer’s USB connection.
Test the Mouse on Another Computer
This is one of the most useful troubleshooting steps. If the mouse works normally on another computer, investigate the original computer’s USB, driver and operating-system configuration.
Wireless Mouse Not Working
Wireless mouse problems can come from batteries, the receiver, wireless interference, pairing or software configuration.
Check the Battery
Replace the battery or fully charge the mouse if it has an integrated rechargeable battery.
Check the Receiver
Make sure the USB receiver is properly connected. If the mouse supports a receiver extension or dock, placing the receiver closer to the mouse may provide a more reliable connection.
Reconnect the Mouse
If the mouse has a pairing or connection button, follow the manufacturer’s pairing procedure. Avoid repeatedly changing settings before confirming whether the connection is actually being detected.
Bluetooth Mouse Not Working
A Bluetooth mouse can stop responding if it has been disconnected, has a low battery, is paired with another device or encounters a Bluetooth configuration problem.
- Check that Bluetooth is enabled.
- Check the mouse battery.
- Confirm that the mouse is listed as connected.
- Turn the mouse off and back on.
- Remove and pair the mouse again if necessary.
- Restart Bluetooth or the computer if the connection remains unstable.
Mouse Moves but Does Not Click
If the cursor moves but clicking does not work, the problem may be isolated to the mouse buttons, software or operating-system input handling.
Use the diagnostic tool above and test both left and right buttons. If one button works while the other does not, the issue may be related to that specific button or its switch.
For more detailed testing, use the Mouse Button Test and Click Speed Test .
Mouse Cursor Is Not Moving
If the cursor does not move at all, check the physical connection or wireless connection first. Then test another USB port or computer.
If the cursor moves but jumps, skips or behaves unpredictably, the cause may be the sensor, surface, connection, driver or system configuration.
Use the Mouse Movement Test to investigate pointer movement separately.
Mouse Double Clicking by Itself
If a single click sometimes registers as two clicks, the problem may be related to the mouse switch, click settings or software.
First test the mouse on another computer. If the same unintended double-click behavior continues, the physical mouse switch may be responsible.
You can investigate this behavior with the Double Click Test .
Mouse Right Click Not Working
If the left button works but the right mouse button does not respond, test the right button separately before changing system settings.
Try another application and then another computer. If right-click failure follows the mouse, the button or switch may have a hardware problem.
Use the Right Click Test for a dedicated check.
Mouse Scroll Wheel Not Working
If the mouse moves and clicks normally but the scroll wheel does not respond, check whether the issue occurs in multiple applications and browsers.
Dust, mechanical wear, browser behavior or system configuration can all contribute to scrolling problems.
Run the Scroll Wheel Test to check whether browser scroll events are being detected.
Mouse Not Working in Windows
If your mouse is not working correctly in Windows, first determine whether the computer detects any input. Test another USB port, restart the computer and compare the mouse with another computer if possible.
Check Mouse Settings
Open your operating system’s mouse settings and check pointer speed, button configuration and other relevant options.
Check Device Drivers
If the mouse suddenly stopped working after a system update or configuration change, a driver or device configuration issue may be involved. Use the operating system’s device-management tools and official manufacturer resources when updating or troubleshooting drivers.
Could Mouse Performance Be the Problem?
Sometimes a mouse appears to be broken when it is actually responding but feels slow, inconsistent or inaccurate. In that situation, check mouse DPI, polling rate, latency and sensitivity.
Visit the Mouse Performance Guide for a complete performance troubleshooting workflow.
How to Tell If Your Mouse Is Broken
The strongest indication of a hardware problem is when the same failure continues after you have tested the mouse on another computer, another USB port or another suitable surface.
- The mouse fails on multiple computers.
- The cable is physically damaged.
- A button consistently fails to register.
- The mouse repeatedly produces unintended double clicks.
- Wireless connection remains unstable after battery and receiver checks.
- The scroll wheel consistently fails across applications.
- The sensor repeatedly fails on suitable surfaces.
Complete Mouse Troubleshooting Workflow
- Check the cable, battery or wireless connection.
- Try another USB port if applicable.
- Restart the computer.
- Run the browser-based diagnostic above.
- Test left and right buttons separately.
- Test the scroll wheel.
- Test mouse movement.
- Test the mouse on another computer.
- Check operating-system settings and drivers.
- Check DPI, polling rate and latency if the problem is performance-related.
- Replace the mouse only after basic troubleshooting has been completed.
Related Mouse Diagnostic Tools
If you already know which part of your mouse is causing trouble, use the dedicated test below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my mouse not working?
A mouse may stop working because of a USB connection problem, dead battery, wireless connection issue, Bluetooth problem, driver issue, system setting or hardware failure. Testing the mouse on another computer can help narrow down the cause.
Why does my mouse move but not click?
If movement works but clicking does not, the problem may be isolated to the mouse button, switch, operating-system settings or software. Test both buttons separately.
Why is my wireless mouse not responding?
Check the battery, receiver, pairing and wireless connection first. Try reconnecting the mouse and testing it on another computer.
How do I know if my USB mouse is broken?
Test another USB port and then test the mouse on another computer. If the same problem follows the mouse, hardware failure becomes more likely.
How can I test my mouse without installing software?
A browser-based mouse diagnostic can detect common mouse movement, click and scroll events without requiring a software download.
Why does my mouse cursor move but feel inaccurate?
Inaccurate or inconsistent movement can be related to the sensor, surface, DPI, sensitivity, polling rate, connection or system configuration. Use dedicated mouse performance and movement tests to investigate further.
Still Having Mouse Problems?
Start with the Mouse Diagnostic Test & Tools and choose the specific test that matches your symptoms. Testing one component at a time makes it easier to identify the actual cause.