--- title: "What if your laptop is not recognizing a plugged-in external mouse?" description: "What if your laptop is not recognizing a plugged-in external mouse?" author: "Baishakhi Ghosh" published: 2024-01-06 updated: 2024-01-06 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/108824/what-if-your-laptop-is-not-recognizing-a-plugged-in-external-mouse category: "troubleshooting" tags: ["troubleshooting"] reading_time: 3 minutes --- # What if your laptop is not recognizing a plugged-in external mouse? ## Answers ### Answer by Baishakhi Ghosh If your laptop is not recognizing a plugged-in external mouse, follow these [troubleshooting](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/1617/desktop-troubleshooting) steps to [resolve](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2348/google-will-pay-close-to-400-million-to-resolve-a-us-location-tracking-investigation) the issue: **Check Physical [Connection](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/123/connection-string):** Ensure that the mouse is securely plugged into a [functional](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/655/explain-about-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 **Update or Reinstall Drivers:** Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause recognition problems.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](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/310794/5-writing-tips-for-business-managers) 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](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/23350/how-to-choose-a-project-management-platform-for-your-business) Settings:** In the Device Manager, navigate to the USB Root Hub [properties](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/23331/nootropics-7-different-types-and-their-unique-properties) and disable the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option. **System [Restore](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/239/how-to-back-up-and-restore-a-mysql-database):** 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. ![Free Unrecognizable female with manicure checking smartwatch on hand while sitting on yoga mat Stock Photo](https://images.pexels.com/photos/4498478/pexels-photo-4498478.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=1&w=500) 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](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/62/different-navigation-in-asp-dot-net) and usability. Read also: What if your laptop is not recognizing a connected external keyboard ### Answer by Baishakhi Ghosh 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. ![Free Unrecognizable female with manicure checking smartwatch on hand while sitting on yoga mat Stock Photo](https://images.pexels.com/photos/4498478/pexels-photo-4498478.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=1&w=500) 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 --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/108824/what-if-your-laptop-is-not-recognizing-a-plugged-in-external-mouse Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.