Is your mouse not working, not responding, or only partly working? Start with the browser-based diagnostic below to check movement, left clicks, right clicks, and scrolling. Then follow the matching troubleshooting steps.
Why Is My Mouse Not Working?
A mouse can stop working because of a USB connection, wireless receiver, Bluetooth connection, battery, driver, operating-system setting, software problem, or hardware failure.
The fastest way to narrow down the cause is to test the mouse first, then check its connection and finally compare it with another USB port or computer. If the same problem follows the mouse to another computer, hardware becomes more likely.
Free Mouse Diagnostic Test
Check mouse movement, left click, right click, and scroll input directly in your browser.
Mouse Not Working? Try These Fixes First
Work through these checks in order. Start with the physical connection before changing drivers or system settings.
- Reconnect the mouse. Unplug a wired mouse and connect it again securely.
- Try another USB port. A different port can quickly reveal whether the original USB connection is the problem.
- Check the battery. Replace or recharge a wireless mouse battery.
- Check the wireless receiver. Make sure the receiver is connected properly and the mouse is switched on.
- Check Bluetooth. Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled and the mouse appears connected.
- Run the mouse test above. Check movement, both buttons, and scrolling separately.
- Restart the computer. A restart can clear temporary system or driver problems.
- Test another computer. This is one of the quickest ways to separate a mouse problem from a computer problem.
What Part of the Mouse Is Not Working?
The next step depends on what your mouse is doing. Choose the symptom that matches your problem rather than changing unrelated settings.
USB Mouse Not Working
If a wired mouse is not responding, check the USB connection before troubleshooting software. A loose cable, damaged connector, USB port problem, or hub can prevent normal input.
Try another USB port
Disconnect the mouse and connect it directly to another working USB port. Avoid unnecessary hubs or adapters during the test.
Check the cable
Look for visible cable damage, bent connectors, or intermittent behavior when the cable is moved.
Test another USB device
Connect a known-working USB device to the same port. If that device also fails, the problem may be with the computer’s USB connection rather than the mouse.
Test the mouse on another computer
If the mouse works elsewhere, focus on the original computer. If it fails there too, hardware becomes more likely.
Wireless Mouse Not Working
A wireless mouse may stop responding because of a depleted battery, receiver problem, connection issue, interference, or pairing problem.
- Replace or recharge the battery.
- Make sure the mouse power switch is on.
- Reconnect the USB receiver.
- Try another USB port for the receiver.
- Keep the receiver reasonably close to the mouse.
- Follow the manufacturer’s pairing procedure if required.
- Test the mouse on another computer when possible.
Bluetooth Mouse Not Working
A Bluetooth mouse can become unresponsive when it is disconnected, has a low battery, is paired incorrectly, or encounters a Bluetooth configuration problem.
- Check the mouse battery.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
- Confirm that the mouse is connected.
- Turn the mouse off and back on.
- Reconnect or pair the mouse again if necessary.
- Restart Bluetooth or the computer if the connection remains unstable.
Mouse Not Working in Windows
If your mouse is not working correctly in Windows, first determine whether the computer is receiving any input. Test another USB port, restart Windows, and compare the mouse with another computer if possible.
Check mouse settings
Review the Windows mouse settings for pointer speed, button configuration, and other relevant input options. Avoid changing several settings at once when troubleshooting.
Check device drivers
If the mouse stopped working after an update or configuration change, a driver or device configuration problem may be involved. Use Windows device management tools and the mouse manufacturer’s official support resources when checking drivers.
Mouse Cursor Not Moving
If the cursor does not move at all, check the USB cable, wireless receiver, battery, Bluetooth connection, and USB port first.
If the cursor moves but jumps, skips, or behaves inconsistently, the sensor, surface, connection, driver, or pointer configuration may be involved.
Mouse Movement Test →Mouse Moves but Does Not Click
When movement works but clicking does not, the problem may be isolated to a mouse button, switch, operating-system setting, or application.
Test the left and right buttons separately. If one button consistently fails while the other works, that points toward a button-specific problem.
Test Mouse Buttons →How to Tell If Your Mouse Is Broken
A hardware problem becomes more likely when the same failure continues after you have tried another suitable USB port, another computer, and basic connection checks.
- The mouse fails on multiple computers.
- A cable or connector is physically damaged.
- A button consistently fails to register.
- The mouse repeatedly produces unintended clicks.
- The wireless connection remains unreliable after battery and receiver checks.
- The scroll wheel fails across different applications.
- The sensor repeatedly fails on suitable surfaces.
Mouse Works but Feels Slow or Inconsistent
Not every mouse problem is a complete failure. If the mouse still responds but feels delayed, inaccurate, or inconsistent, the issue may involve sensitivity, DPI, polling rate, latency, surface, connection, or software.
Use the dedicated performance resources when the mouse works but its response does not feel normal.
Mouse Performance Guide →Complete Mouse Troubleshooting Checklist
Use this order when you do not know what is causing the problem.
- Check the cable, battery, or wireless connection.
- Try another USB port when applicable.
- Restart the computer.
- Run the browser-based mouse diagnostic.
- Test left and right clicks separately.
- Test mouse scrolling.
- Test mouse movement.
- Test the mouse on another computer.
- Review operating-system settings.
- Check drivers if the problem appears software-related.
- Investigate DPI, sensitivity, polling rate, or latency if the mouse works but feels inconsistent.
- Consider hardware replacement only after basic troubleshooting.
Mouse Diagnostic Tools
Already know which mouse function is failing? Use the dedicated test for a more specific diagnosis.
Mouse Not Working FAQs
Why is my mouse not working?
A mouse may stop working because of a USB connection problem, dead battery, wireless or Bluetooth connection issue, driver problem, system setting, software conflict, or hardware failure. Testing another computer can help identify the cause.
What should I do if my mouse suddenly stops working?
Reconnect the mouse, try another USB port, check the battery or wireless receiver, restart the computer, and test the mouse on another computer.
Why does my mouse move but not click?
If movement works but clicking does not, the problem may be related to a specific mouse button, switch, software setting, or application. Test both buttons separately.
Why is my wireless mouse not responding?
Check the battery, receiver, power switch, pairing, and wireless connection. Reconnect the mouse and test it on another computer if possible.
How do I know if my USB mouse is broken?
Try another USB port and then test the mouse on another computer. If the same problem follows the mouse, a hardware fault becomes more likely.
Can I test my mouse without installing software?
Yes. A browser-based mouse diagnostic can detect common movement, click, and scroll events without requiring a software download.
Why is my mouse cursor not moving?
Check the USB or wireless connection, battery, receiver, Bluetooth pairing, USB port, and mouse sensor. Testing another computer can help determine whether the mouse or computer is responsible.
When should I replace my mouse?
Consider replacement when the same hardware problem continues across multiple computers and ports after basic connection and troubleshooting checks have been completed.
Still Can’t Find the Problem?
Run the Mouse Diagnostic Test first, then choose the dedicated test that matches the failing function. Testing one part at a time makes it easier to identify whether the problem is related to the mouse or computer.