Mouse not working on your laptop? 10 quick fixes you can try now

If your mouse isn’t working with your laptop, more often than not the issue is connectivity. There are some simple steps you can take to check, and also to diagnose any deeper issues. Here are 10 fixes you can try:

Check the dongle or connector

Assuming you’re using a wired mouse or a wireless mouse that requires a USB dongle, unplug the dongle and wait a few seconds before plugging it back in. This resets the connection and is sometimes enough to fix an unresponsive mouse. On Windows, you should hear a ‘ding’ when the device is plugged in.

ALSO READ: Apple Magic Mouse: Common issues and their fixes

Check Bluetooth

In case you’re using a Bluetooth mouse, check that the PC’s Bluetooth connection is turned on. You might want to reset your Bluetooth connection and your mouse as well just to be sure.

Turning it off and on again

This age-old piece of advice holds true for all electronics. Reset your mouse and laptop and try connecting the devices again. If there are any software or driver issues, this step will usually resolve them.

Use a different laptop

If none of the above works, connect your mouse to a different laptop or PC or any mouse-compatible device and check if the mouse works. If the mouse is working, your laptop’s at fault. If not, there’s something wrong with your mouse.

Charge your mouse

An oft-overlooked step is battery replacement or charging. Wireless mice these days are so efficient that their batteries last weeks, if not months. Charge your mouse for about 20 minutes per the manufacturer’s instructions (or replace the battery if it uses AA).

ALSO READ: How to connect a wireless mouse to your laptops?

If the mouse only works for a little while after charging, it’s possible that the battery is dead. For mice with internal Li-ion batteries, servicing is challenging.

In case of a AA or AAA battery, swap out batteries but check that the old batteries didn’t leak and damage the internals of the mouse.

Disconnect other USB devices

If you’re using a USB hub or have a lot of connected USB devices, try disconnecting them and then checking if the mouse works. Hubs usually can’t deliver enough power when a lot of devices are connected and in rare cases your mouse might be unpowered despite being connected.

Re-install drivers

If your mouse uses proprietary drivers or software, consider re-installing said drivers and software. Instructions will be found on the manufacturer’s website. It’s possible that an older version isn’t compatible with your operating system, or that there was some kind of bug that was patched out. While you’re at it, update the mouse’s firmware if there’s an update.

Clean your mouse (and port)

If your mouse is showing up as connected but is unable to track your movements or is erratic, check that the sensor is clean. Dust and debris can sometimes get caught in there, preventing the sensor from getting a reading.

ALSO READ: The best gaming mouse for 2025

Try a different mouse pad or surface

Also try using a different surface for the mouse, preferably a good mouse pad, as certain surfaces can interfere with a mouse’s tracking. A surface that is non reflective and with a textured finish is best.

Compressed air

When mice have click issues, it’s usually because a bit of dust or debris is lodged in the switch. If this is the case, simply raise the mouse buttons as high as you think you can safely, and blow some compressed air into the inner compartment. This helps clear lodged debris. Don’t blow into the mouse yourself as you could accidentally introduce moisture and damage the mouse.

If the mouse still isn’t working it will need replacing. In such a case, simply head to croma.com or the nearest Croma retail store for finding a replacement.