When we power on our computers, the expectation is that all peripherals such as the keyboard and mouse should work flawlessly across both BIOS and Windows environments. However, there are instances where these input devices fail to respond once Windows boots up, even though they function perfectly within the BIOS settings. This disparity can be puzzling, but rest assured, it’s a problem that many people encounter, and it generally signals a software rather than hardware issue.
Dealing with peripherals that are unresponsive in Windows can be frustrating, especially after confirming their functionality in BIOS. Our experience has shown that this usually points to underlying issues within the Windows operating system environment, such as driver problems, incorrect system settings, or hardware conflicts. Recognizing these signs early, allows us to apply targeted fixes to restore full functionality to our keyboard and mouse.
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Understanding BIOS Interaction
In navigating the BIOS, it’s crucial for us to recognize the settings that enable our hardware, like keyboards and mice, to communicate with the system before the operating system loads.
Exploring BIOS Settings
The Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS, is a low-level software that starts up when we power on our computer. Its main role is hardware initialization and control at startup. As we enter the BIOS settings, we find a range of configurations that govern how the PC boots and how it recognizes attached devices.
One of the critical sections within the BIOS settings governs whether certain ports, like USB, are active during the boot process. This is vital for allowing input from our keyboard and mouse when we’re setting up the system or troubleshooting.
Enabling USB Legacy Support
USB Legacy Support is a feature that allows older USB devices to be used with legacy operating systems that do not have USB drivers built-in. Here is how we enable this setting:
- Navigate to the BIOS setup.
- Look for a section titled ‘Advanced’, ‘Boot’, or ‘Configuration’.
- Find the option for USB Legacy Support.
- Change the setting to Enabled.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
By enabling USB Legacy Support, we ensure that our keyboard and mouse are recognized and operational, even when the operating system has not yet loaded.
Troubleshooting Windows Issues
When our keyboard and mouse function in BIOS but not in Windows, it signals a need to thoroughly troubleshoot Windows settings and configurations. We’ll explore various methods to tackle these issues, including device management, restoring system settings, and booting in Safe Mode.
Utilizing Device Manager
Device Manager is a powerful Windows tool that allows us to view and control the hardware attached to the computer. If peripherals are malfunctioning, it could be due to outdated or corrupted drivers. Here’s how we can navigate to Device Manager:
- Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
- Locate the keyboard and mouse devices, right-click and choose ‘Update driver’.
- If updating does not resolve the issue, we can attempt to ‘Roll back’ the driver, provided that option is available.
Performing System Restore
System restore can revert our system to a prior state when the keyboard and mouse were operational. It is important to utilize system restore points created before the peripherals stopped functioning in Windows.
| Step | Action | Expected Outcome |
| 1 | Search for ‘Create a restore point’ and open System Properties. | System Protection tab opens. |
| 2 | Click ‘System Restore’ and then ‘Next’. | List of available restore points is displayed. |
| 3 | Select a restore point and follow the prompts. | System starts the restoration process. |
Accessing Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode can help us identify if the issue is due to non-essential applications or drivers that don’t load in this mode.
- Restart the PC and press F8 or Shift + F8 during boot-up to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.
- Select ‘Safe Mode’ and press Enter.
- If the keyboard and mouse are functioning in Safe Mode, it likely indicates a conflict or issue within the normal startup processes or drivers.
Through these steps, we can meticulously diagnose and potentially rectify the problems preventing our keyboard and mouse from working in Windows.
Addressing Hardware and Driver Concerns
When keyboards and mice work in BIOS but not in Windows, it usually points to hardware connectivity or driver issues. Ensuring these aspects are properly checked and addressed can help restore functionality.
Checking USB Ports and PS/2 Connections
It’s essential to confirm that USB ports and PS/2 connections are functioning correctly. We should test the keyboard and mouse on another system, and try connecting different devices to the same ports. This process helps us isolate the problem, determining whether it’s a port or device issue.
Tip: If using a USB hub, try to connect the devices directly to the computer’s ports.
Reinstalling Keyboard and Mouse Drivers
Driver issues could prevent keyboards and mice from working in Windows. To tackle this, we must access the Device Manager in Windows using an alternate input device or remote access methods. Locating the keyboard and mouse devices, we should uninstall the drivers, then disconnect and reconnect the hardware to prompt an automatic driver reinstallation.
Intel Integrated Sensor Solutions
Laptops, particularly 2-in-1 models, may encounter conflicts with the Intel Integrated Sensor Solutions driver. Disabling this driver in the Device Manager can sometimes restore keyboard and mouse functionality in Windows. If this resolves the issue, we can then seek an updated driver version from the manufacturer’s website that might be more compatible with the system.
| Problem | Action | Result |
| USB/PS/2 Port Issues | Test with other devices | Identify hardware faults |
| Driver Issue | Reinstall device drivers | Potential fix for input functionality |
| Intel Sensor Driver Conflict | Disable problematic driver | Resolve input device conflicts |
Resolving Power and Boot Issues
In tackling issues where keyboards and mice work in BIOS but not in Windows, we focus on two critical interventions: performing Startup Repair and draining residual charge. These steps can often rectify power-related glitches that prevent hardware from functioning properly after the boot process.