Keyboard and mouse are two primary input devices attached to the computer. Even if one of these devices stops working, it can cause a lot of inconvenience. Imagine both keyboard and mouse stop working at the same time?

Many users have complained of keyboard and mouse not working at the same time. If you are facing a similar problem and looking for a solution, this post is for you.

We have provided a few solutions and one of them might work for you.

What to try first

Though highly unlikely that both keyboard and mouse become bad (non-functional) at the same time, you need to ensure the devices are working as intended. You can try connecting the mouse and keyboard to other computer and see if they are working.

If you face similar problems with the keyboard and mouse when connected to another computer, you can conclude the fault lies in the keyboard and mouse. In that case, you need to buy a new keyboard and mouse. If both mouse and keyboard are good, you can move to Solution One in the list.

Solution One – Unplug keyboard and mouse and plug them back

Switch on your PC and then unplug the keyboard and mouse. If possible plug them to different USB ports. This will force the Windows operating system to load new drivers for both devices and Windows OS will recognise them and you will see the keyboard and mouse start working again. If this solution does not work for you, move to the next solution.

Solution Two – Disconnect your Computer from Power Source

Though this solution may sound weird to you, it has worked for many users. According to computer experts, the residual power in the motherboard or other components can lead to various problems in computer.

When you disconnect the computer from the power source, the residual power is drained from electronic components that might solve the problem. Here are the steps to follow.

• Switch off your computer and disconnect the computer from the power source
• Laptop users also need to remove the battery before unplugging the AC adapter
• Press the power button on your computer for 10 seconds
• Desktop users can plug back the computer to a power source
• Laptop users can insert the battery back in its compartment and then plug in the AC adapter
• Restart your computer

If the keyboard and mouse are still not working, move to the next solution.

Solution Three – Disable Driver Signature Verification in Windows

Driver Signing refers to the Windows process where the operating system uses digital signatures to verify the integrity of driver packages. The process also checks the vendor of the device driver. Microsoft requires original equipment manufacturers and 3^rd part software vendors to get their driver packages verified by Microsoft via a digital signature.

You need to disable driver signature enforcement and see if it resolves the keyboard and mouse not working issue. Here are the steps you need to follow.

• If your computer is on, restart the computer
• Once the computer starts and moves beyond the BIOS splash screen, press F8 repeatedly at small intervals (1 second interval). This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options screen
• On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow key to select Disable Driver Enforcement option and press Enter on the keyboard.
• Windows will now restart

Check whether the keyboard and mouse not working issue is resolved. If the problem persists, move to next solution.

Solution Four – Update USB driver

Since both mouse and keyboard are USB devices, you cannot ignore the problem of USB drivers. One of the reasons for keyboard and mouse not working could be corrupt USB drivers. In that case, you need to update USB drivers.

You will need a working keyboard and mouse to perform steps in a given solution. Since the mouse and keyboard are not working in normal boot, you need to boot your computer in Safe mode to perform the troubleshooting steps. Once you have booted the computer in Safe Mode, follow the steps given below.

You need to uninstall the existing USB drivers before updating the USB driver. Here are the steps you need to follow

• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard to bring up Run command box on the screen
• In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter on the keyboard
• In Device Manager Window, navigate to Universal Bus Controllers category and expand it.
• Find USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller in the list. This is not a standard name and it might be different in your case. You need to find a USB device in the list. If you do not find, USB device in Universal Bus Controllers category, look in Other devices
• Locate USB device with a yellow exclamation mark. It indicates problems with drivers.
• Select the USB device and press Delete button on your keyboard
• The Device Manager will show a Confirm Device Uninstall pop-up on the screen. check the option “Delete the driver software for this device” and click OK

After uninstalling the USB drivers, you need to go to manufacturer website to download USB drivers for keyboard and mouse. Desktop users need to go motherboard manufacturer website to download USB driver update. Laptop users need to go to their manufacturer website to download USB driver update.

Updating Drivers Automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution Five- Uninstall Windows Update

Note- This solution is only applicable for Windows 10 users

The KB4074588 Windows 10 update is causing several issues and one of them is keyboard and mouse stops working suddenly.  If you are a Windows 10 user and facing a similar problem, follow the steps given below to resolve the issue.

• Click on the Cortana search and type Run
• The Run command option will appear on the top of the list, click on it
• In the Run command box, type appwiz.cpl
• You will see Windows update dialog box that lists all installed Windows update
• Locate Security update for Microsoft Windows(KB4074588) in the list
• right-click on it and select Uninstall

Since KB4074588 is a security update, it might again get installed. Hence, you need to make a few changes to Windows update setting. Here are the steps to follow

• Go to Desktop and click on Settings(gear icon)
• In the Settings window, click Update and Security
• In the Windows update dialog box, click Advanced options
• In the Advanced options screen, scroll down and pause updates.
• Reboot your computer to get your mouse and keyboard back(active)