Mouse or Keyboard Issues

Most mouse and keyboard problems are fixed in under a minute by checking a few simple things. This walks through every common cause, roughly in the order to try them — the first few checks fix the majority of issues.

First — is the computer actually frozen?

A frozen workstation looks identical to a dead mouse from your side. Check the clock in the bottom-right — is it updating? Press Caps Lock — does the light on the keyboard toggle? If yes, the keyboard works and the computer is frozen. Wait two full minutes — frozen computers often recover on their own. Still stuck? Hold the power button 10 seconds to force a shutdown — but know that this loses unsaved work, and if you were mid-transaction in a system like the PMS, note where you were first if you possibly can.

1

Trace the cable from the device to the port and push it firmly back in.

2

Try a different USB port. Some workstations have ports front and back — try both. A single port can fail while others work fine.

3

Listen for the USB chime — Windows often plays a two-tone sound when a device connects. Hearing it is a good sign; not hearing it proves nothing, since system sounds are often muted on workstations.

1

Find the USB dongle — a small thumb-sized piece, usually in a port at the back or side. Easy to bump or unplug by accident.

2

3

Try a different USB port for the dongle.

4

Dongle missing? That's the problem. Wireless devices don't work without their own paired dongle — a random spare won't do. Submit a ticket.

Cursor jumps around or won't track smoothly

The sensor underneath is dirty, or the surface is bad for it. Flip the mouse over and wipe the sensor with a clean cloth. Use a real mousepad on glass or glossy desks — optical mice struggle on reflective surfaces. Plain white printer paper works as a quick test.

Clicks aren't registering

Try a different USB port (re-plug the dongle if wireless). If clicking the scroll wheel puts the screen into a drifting "autoscroll" mode with a round icon, press Escape or click once to cancel. Buttons do wear out on heavily used mice — mushy or intermittent clicks mean replacement; submit a ticket.

Scroll wheel doesn't scroll

Restart the computer first — that fixes about half. Still nothing? The wheel encoder is worn; submit a ticket.

Cursor moves but nothing responds

Usually not the mouse — the application or computer is frozen. See the section at the top.

Typing the wrong letters or symbols

Almost always Caps Lock, Num Lock, or a layout change. Check the Caps Lock and Num Lock lights. Getting é è à instead of letters? A second keyboard layout became active — press Left Alt + Shift to toggle back.

One specific key isn't working

Check for debris — flip the keyboard over and shake gently. Try the keyboard on another workstation; if the key still fails, the keyboard is faulty. Submit a ticket naming the key — replacements are inexpensive and we just swap them.

Sticky keys (gummy or repeating)

Liquid spills kill keyboards faster than anything else — mention any spill in your ticket and we'll replace rather than clean. Without a spill it's usually crumbs or dust; we can swap it.

Multiple keys typing at once

Windows Sticky Keys may have been switched on by accident — press Shift five times to toggle it off (the same shortcut turns it on, which is how it happens). If that isn't it, the keyboard is likely faulty.

Whole keyboard not responding

Caps Lock light doesn't toggle? The keyboard isn't reaching the computer — recheck the connection, dongle, batteries, and try another USB port. Light does toggle but nothing types? The computer is receiving input but not routing it — restart.

Include: your workstation's asset tag (5-digit number on the blue or copper Argus IT label) · wired or wireless? · exactly what you tried ("unplugged it, tried both USB ports, restarted, replaced batteries") · a photo if anything looks damaged.