If your laptop is not recognizing a plugged-in external mouse, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
Check Physical Connection: Ensure that the mouse is securely plugged into a functional USB port. Try using a different USB port to rule out potential port issues.
Inspect the Mouse: Check if the mouse works on another computer. If it doesn't, the mouse might be faulty, and you may need a replacement.
Restart Your Laptop: Sometimes, a simple restart can refresh USB ports and resolve connectivity issues.
Update or Reinstall Drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause recognition problems. Update the mouse drivers through the Device Manager or reinstall them from the manufacturer's website.
Test with Another Mouse: If possible, try another external mouse on your laptop. This helps determine if the issue is specific to the mouse or the laptop's USB ports.
Check Power Management Settings: In the Device Manager, navigate to the USB Root Hub properties and disable the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option.
System Restore: If the issue started recently, consider using System Restore to revert your laptop to a previous state where the mouse was recognized.
BIOS/UEFI Settings: Check if there are any relevant settings in the laptop's BIOS/UEFI that might affect USB connectivity.
By systematically going through these steps, you can identify and address the factors causing your laptop not to recognize the external mouse, ensuring smooth navigation and usability.
Read also: What if your laptop is not recognizing a connected external keyboard