Computer Mouse or Screen Not Responding

  • Mouse
    - Bad mouse
    - Hardware Issues or Bad Port
    - Outdated or Missing Mouse Driver
    - Mouse Software or Driver Conflict
    - Mouse Not Connected Properly
    • If you are using a wireless mouse:
    • If you are using a mouse with a PS/2 connection:
    • If the mouse is connected to a USB hub:
    • If you are using a USB Mouse:
  • Frozen Computer
  • Screen
    - If your original monitor is the source of the problem, try some of these remedies:

The I.T. Service Desk can be reached at (208) 496-1411, and they are always happy to help resolve any technology issues. If you have a problem that is not addressed here or these steps provided below are insufficient, feel free to call or submit a Classroom Technology Ticket Request for additional assistance.

Mouse

Bad Mouse

If you are using a wired mouse, check the mouse wire to see if it is cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged. 

Hardware Issues or Bad Port

To determine if your mouse issues are related to a bad port, use the following steps:

Use a different mouse and see if it works. 

  • If the new mouse works, try the old mouse with a different computer.  
  • If the old mouse still does not work, the issue was with the mouse and not your computer port.

Outdated or Missing Mouse Driver

  1. Check your computer's Device Manager to see if a mouse driver is installed. If not, try installing one. 
  2. If a mouse driver is installed, check if it is updated. Update the driver if it is outdated.  

Mouse Software or Driver Conflict

  1. Check if the mouse works when your computer is in Safe Mode. If it does work, there is likely a driver or software conflict between your mouse and computer. 
  2. Open Windows Device Manager. 
  3. Scroll down to the mouse option and click the + symbol. 
  4. Highlight each mouse device. 
  5. Press Delete. This will remove all mouse options from the computer. 

Mouse Not Connected Properly

If you are using a USB mouse:

Disconnect the mouse cable and connect it to a different USB port. 

If the mouse is connected to a USB hub:  

Unplug the mouse cable and connect it to a USB port on the back of the computer. 

If you are using a mouse with a PS/2 connection:

  1. Check the back of the computer to verify that the mouse is plugged in properly (i.e., to the PS/2 mouse port and not the PS/2 keyboard). 
  2. If the mouse has worked properly in the past, turn off the computer, then disconnect the mouse, wait a few moments, and reconnect it. 
 A PS/2 mouse should not be disconnected and reconnected while a computer is turned on. If the computer's keyboard is working, you can shut down Windows by pressing the Windows key to open the Start menu, and then using the arrow keys to move to the Shut Down option. 

If you are using a wireless mouse:

  1. Make sure the mouse is receiving power. Usually, this will be a light blinking somewhere on the device. If your mouse has a power switch, it is often located on the bottom side.
  2. If the mouse does not appear to be on and toggling the power switch does not work, replace the mouse's batteries.
  3. Make sure the wireless receiver is within range and is not blocked. 
  4. Disconnect the wireless USB adapter and plug it into a different port. 

 

Frozen Computer

If your keyboard has a Num Lock key and indicator light: 

  1. Repeatedly press the Num Lock key on the keyboard. The Num Lock indicator LED on your keyboard should turn on and off as you press the key. If this indicator does not change, your computer is frozen.
  2. If your computer is frozen, simply reboot the computer by turning it off and then on again. 

 

If your keyboard does not have a Num Lock key or indicator light: 

Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys at the same time to open the Windows Task Manager and close out of all running tasks. If the Windows Task Manager does not open, reboot your computer by turning it off and then on again. 

 

Screen

1. Listen to the computer and look at its indicator lights. 

  • If the computer makes beeping sounds when it is turned on, a card, cable, memory module, or processor may have come loose. 
  • If you cannot hear the computer's fans spinning, it means the problem is likely related to the computer, not the monitor. 
  • If you can hear the computer's fan spin and see lights on the computer, the video cable connection or the monitor is likely the source of the problem. 

2. Check your computer's power indicator light to see if the monitor is being powered properly. If the power indicator light is not on, check the monitor's power cable connection. 

3. Connect the computer in question to a different monitor. This should help you determine which device—the monitor or the computer—is the problem. 

4. If the newly attached monitor does not display anything, it means that the computer is the problem. Most likely, the video cable and/or video connector is damaged. If the new monitor works, the original monitor is the problem. 

5. If your video cable and/or video connector are damaged, inspect the video cable and video connectors. Check for broken cables and damaged connector pins. Turn both the monitor and computer off and try to straighten bent pins with a small metal tube.

If your original monitor is the source of the problem, try some of these remedies:

  • Replace the monitor power cable and then turn on the monitor. If the monitor turns on, you are done. If the monitor does not work after replacing the monitor power cable, call the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411. 
  • Replace the video cable and then turn on the monitor. If the monitor turns on, you are done. If the monitor does not work after replacing the video cable, call the I.T. Service Desk at (208) 496-1411. 

Contact Us

If you still need help, call us at (208) 496-9009 or start a Live Chat with us.

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