Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Chapter 24. What to Do When Your Mouse or Keyboard Won't Work

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Your mouse doesn't work

• Another peripheral interferes with your mouse or keyboard operation

• You spill something on your mouse or keyboard

• Your keyboard won't type

• Your wireless mouse or keyboard isn't responding properly

Until we get computers with workable voice recognition, you have to rely on your mouse and keyboard to communicate with your PC. And if these input devices break down, there's no way to control your machine.

The good news is, even if you have really bad mouse or keyboard problems, the most likely fix is cheap and easy just buy a new one. Mice and keyboards are inexpensive enough that you don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting problems. If it breaks, replace it.

And if it isn't broken, you probably have a connection problem also easily correctable. So don't let yourself be plagued by an ongoing input crisis. Do some simple plugging and unplugging, and then buy a new device if you need it.