Old mouse stopped working after installing new mouse

Troubleshooting USB Mouse Connectivity Issues After Hardware Switch

If you’ve ever experienced problems with your PC’s mouse not functioning correctly after attempting a hardware switch, you’re not alone. This article explores common issues and effective solutions to resolve mouse connectivity problems, especially after switching between different peripherals.

Understanding the Situation

Imagine you have a fully functional wired mouse that suddenly stops working after you connect a new, budget-friendly mouse—perhaps as a gift or for a different user. Initially, you connect the new mouse, expecting it to work seamlessly. However, it fails to respond. Subsequently, when you revert to your original mouse, it also refuses to operate. Despite efforts such as updating device drivers, uninstalling and reinstalling hardware, and restarting your computer, the problem persists.

Common Causes

Driver Conflicts or Corruption: Installing new hardware can sometimes lead to driver conflicts or corrupt existing driver files.
USB Port Issues: Faulty or misconfigured USB ports may prevent peripherals from functioning correctly.
Power Management Settings: Windows power settings might disable USB devices to save energy.
Hardware Faults: Both mice or certain USB ports might be faulty.

Effective Troubleshooting Steps

Disconnect All USB Devices and Reboot
Remove all external USB devices, including mice and other peripherals.
Restart your computer to reset device states.
Test Different USB Ports
Connect the mouse to different USB ports, especially directly to the motherboard’s ports rather than hubs, to rule out port issues.
Update or Roll Back USB Drivers
Open Device Manager (Windows + X > Device Manager).
Expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” section.
Right-click on each device and select “Update driver.”
If recent updates caused issues, consider rolling back drivers via “Properties” > “Driver” tab > “Roll Back Driver.”
Check Power Management Settings
In Device Manager, right-click USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub and select “Properties.”
Go to the “Power Management” tab.
Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Use Built-in Hardware Troubleshooter
Navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Select “Hardware and Devices” and run the troubleshooter.