URGENT keyboard and mouse stopped working. Windows 11

Troubleshooting Non-Responsive Keyboard and Mouse in Windows 11: Causes and Solutions

Introduction

Experiencing input device issues can be highly frustrating, especially when essential peripherals such as your keyboard and mouse become unresponsive. If you’re using Windows 11 and find that your keyboard and mouse suddenly stop working, understanding potential causes and effective troubleshooting steps is crucial. This guide will walk you through common scenarios, diagnostic procedures, and solutions, helping you resolve the problem efficiently.

Understanding the Issue

In some cases, hardware failures are not the culprit. For instance, if you’ve tested multiple keyboards and the problem persists, the issue may stem from software conflicts, driver problems, or system settings. Notable symptoms may include:

Limited key functionality (e.g., only the spacebar, Delete, and Enter keys work)
On-screen keyboard functioning normally until physical input is attempted
Mouse scroll wheel not responding
Inability to access certain boot options (e.g., F12 key not recognized)

Initial Diagnostic Steps

Verify Hardware Connections:
Although you’ve tested multiple keyboards, ensure all peripherals are properly connected and functioning on other devices if possible.
Boot into Safe Mode:
Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers, which helps determine if third-party software or drivers are causing the issue. Since the F12 key isn’t registering, you might need alternative methods to access Safe Mode:
Using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
- Power off your PC completely.
- Turn it on and force shutdown as soon as Windows begins to load, repeat this process three times to trigger Automatic Repair.
- Navigate to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restart, select Enable Safe Mode (usually option 4).
Check System for Software Conflicts:
Once in Safe Mode, observe whether the keyboard and mouse are responsive.
If they work, recent software installations or updates might be the cause. Consider uninstalling recent programs or updates.
Inspect Device Drivers:
In Safe Mode, visit Device Manager (press Win + X, select Device Manager).
Look under Keyboards and Mice and other pointing devices for any warning signs (yellow exclamation marks).
Update or roll back drivers as needed.