Mouse Randomly Stopped Working: How Do I Fix it?

Sometimes, even our trusty mouse decides to strike and stop working out of the blue. Talk about mouse drama! But worry not; we’re here to guide you through some troubleshooting steps that can bring your mouse back to life and save you from the brink of frustration.

Let’s embark on this adventure together and unravel the mysteries of fixing the mouse randomly stopped working issue. With some luck and quick fixes, you’ll be clicking away in no time. Here we go!

Fix 1: Make Sure You’re Plugged In

Who knew such tiny devices could cause so much trouble? First, you need a dongle to make it work using a wireless mouse. These little adapters plug into your computer’s USB port and have a secret language with your mouse. So, first things first, double-check if your dongle is plugged in.

Now, some crafty manufacturers hide the dongle within the mouse itself. It’s like a secret compartment for mice spies. Open up the battery bay on your mouse and see if you find a tiny hidden connector. If you do, gently tug it and plug it into your computer. Just make sure your mouse is switched on, and voila! Connection achieved!

But what if you’re using a good ol’ wired mouse? Well, simplicity has its charms too. First, ensure that the mouse is correctly plugged into a USB port. Push it in with confidence, and show that plug who’s boss! If that doesn’t solve the issue, give the USB plug a delicate jiggle in the port. Sometimes mice are just a little finicky, and a jiggle here and there might establish a temporary connection. If such is the case, you might have a hardware problem. Oops!

So go forth and tinker with your mice! Just remember to leave a trail of cheese for them along the way.

Fix 2: Check on the Power Source

Just like any other gadget, a mouse needs its dose of energy. And when things go awry, it’s time to play detective! 

First, check if your wireless wonder suffers from a power outage. Then, watch for any red or yellow indicator lights blinking on your mouse.

If your mouse feels drained and battery-powered, it’s time for a refreshing battery swap! Pop open the battery bay, bid farewell to the old ones, and introduce fresh, energizing batteries. Let’s see if that lights up the situation! 

But wait, if your mouse happens to be of the rechargeable kind, it’s craving a different type of power-up. So plug that bad boy into a power source and watch for a charging indicator light. It’s like watching the mouse soak up energy like a sunbather at the beach! 

And here’s a nugget of wisdom that might seem obvious but often slips our minds: make sure your mouse is turned on! Wireless mice have sneaky little power switches hiding on their bottoms. Flip that switch and be on the lookout for that illuminating indicator light. Let there be light! 

Remember, power is the key to a mouse’s heart. So let’s charge up, swap batteries, and switch on for a triumphant clicking experience! Happy mousing!

Fix 3: Connect to Bluetooth

Your mouse may feel a bit shy and hasn’t adequately introduced itself to your computer yet. Or perhaps they had a little falling out and got unpaired. Don’t worry; we’ll sort it out!

So, first things first, let’s check if your mouse has a Bluetooth-pairing button. It’s like a secret handshake but for devices. Sometimes this button also acts as the power button, so watch for that. Please give it a good press and hold it down while keeping your mouse close to the computer. This should kickstart the pairing process. 

But what if you can’t find that elusive button on the mouse? Well, sometimes, it hides on the dongle instead. If your mouse supports Bluetooth and dongle connections, that little button might hang out there. So please give it a search, press, and hold it while keeping the dongle close to the computer.

Here is how to do it:

For Windows 11:

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices.
3. Select Add device.
4. Choose Bluetooth and then select your mouse.

For Windows 10:

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to Devices.
3. Select Bluetooth & other devices.
4. Click on Add Bluetooth or other device.
5. Choose Bluetooth and select your mouse.

Fix 4: Rule Out the USB Port

Let’s try some troubleshooting steps before jumping to any conclusions. First off, let’s check if the USB port itself is misbehaving. Then, try plugging your mouse into a different USB port to see if it magically works. And hey, while you’re at it, why not plug a random device into the same port to see if it’s just your mouse or if the port itself is playing hide-and-seek with functionality?

Now, here’s a wild idea. If you have another computer lying around, give it a shot! Plug that mouse into the other computer to see if it suddenly behaves. Who knows, it just needed a change of scenery to start working like a good little mouse.

But wait, don’t go rushing to the repair shop just yet! Sometimes, all it takes is a little cleanliness. First, check for any gunk or debris inside the USB port that might be causing a fuss. Then, give it a gentle cleaning if you spot any unwanted guests. And hey, while you’re at it, consider updating your configurations or drivers from the Device Manager. It might just do the trick!

Fix 5: Update Drivers

The mischievous little driver! It’s like the secret agent of your mouse, communicating with your computer behind the scenes. Sometimes, though, even these tech spies can get a bit unruly. So if your mouse starts acting up, you should give its driver a little tough love.

Imagine this: You’re sitting there, clicking away, and suddenly your mouse decides to go on a strike. It’s like a rebellious teenager refusing to cooperate! 

Here are the steps to check for driver issues using the Device Manager in Windows:

1. Right-click the Start menu.
2. Choose Device Manager from the list.
3. Scroll down and locate Mice and other pointing devices.
4. Click the down arrow to expand the category.
5. Right-click the relevant device.
6. Select Update driver to search for and install any available updates. xo

Fix 6: Update Windows 

1. Tap the Windows key + I simultaneously to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on the Check for Updates button to search for any available updates. 
4. If updates are available, click the Install Now button to install them. 

Fix 7: Fix Unknown Hard Errors 

Now, if you’ve exhausted all the conventional methods and your wireless mouse is still giving you the silent treatment, you can give Windows’s secret agent a chance to save the day. Introducing the undercover tool, CHKDSK!

This stealthy tool, hidden deep within your Windows operating system, is known for dealing with mysterious problematic errors that can leave even the most skilled technicians scratching their heads. It’s like a detective investigating the unknown, searching for clues, and fixing issues with a flick of its digital magnifying glass.

1. Enter Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu. 
2. In the popout window, type chkdsk g: /f /r /x and press Enter.
3. Depending on the size of the drive and the number of errors it finds, chkdsk may take several minutes to complete.

Fix 8: Fix Missing or Corrupt System Files

It could be due to missing or corrupted system files caused by installing or uninstalling software, updates, or hardware drivers. Try fixing it by running the Command Prompt. Just type in some commands, and voila, your mouse will return to its clicking and scrolling ways!

Here is how you can do the SFC scans:

1. Search for the “Command Prompt” on the Windows search box, right-click its icon, and select Run as administrator.
   
2. Type SFC /scannow in the command prompt window and press Enter to execute it.
3. Wait for the scan to finish. It might take a few minutes.
4. Once the scan is completed, restart your PC, and the mouse should be running.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting a non-functional mouse can be frustrating, but by checking connections, updating drivers, and ruling out software conflicts, you can often resolve the issue. Test the mouse on another computer and consider repair or replacement if necessary. By following these steps, you can restore functionality and improve your computing experience.

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