When you use a wireless USB Microsoft pointing device, the pointer moves erratically or does not respond, the pointing device buttons do not respond, or the pointing device is not detected or stops working

When you use a Microsoft USB wireless pointing device on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows, you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• The pointer moves erratically.
• The pointer does not respond when you move the pointing device.
• Nothing happens when you click a button on the pointing device.
• The pointing device stops working after several minutes of use.
• Some options or tabs may be unavailable in the Mouse item in Control Panel.
• If you connect a Microsoft Plug and Play Serial Mouse, a Microsoft EasyBall, or a Microsoft IntelliMouse pointing device to the computer, the device is not detected by Microsoft Windows. When you run the Add New Hardware wizard, the issue is not resolved.

The troubleshooting steps in this section are intended for wireless USB devices and not for Bluetooth devices. All Microsoft mouse wireless USB devices include a USB connector called a receiver. If your mouse did not include the receiver, the most likely reason is that the mouse is a Bluetooth device. Therefore, some steps in this article may not apply.

Method 1: Try a different port or environment

Try to connect to the receiver to a different port. Then, check the behavior of the device. By trying the receiver on a different port, you can eliminate any issues that affect the port itself.

Also, try to connect the receiver a wireless port on the back of the computer. The ports that are located on the back of the computer typically have more bandwidth (power) available. Be aware that items such as desktop fans, metal furniture, and fluorescent lights may interfere with the signal from the pointing device. Try to test the device in a different location. If the issue continues to occur, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Replace the batteries

Note If your pointing device does not use batteries, go to Method 3.

This issue may occur if the battery power is low. We recommend that you use batteries that are designed for use with electronic equipment. Replace the batteries, and determine whether this resolves the issue. Make sure that you have inserted both the required batteries into the wireless pointing device. After you change the batteries, make sure that you resync the pointing device. To learn how to resync the device, view the following video: Note If you have a newer mouse model (such as a Bluetrack device) that does not include a resync button, go to Method 3.

Method 3: Test the device on a different computer

If the issue continues to occur, test the mouse on a different computer in a different environment. If you can replicate the problem in a different environment, you may have a defective device. If this is the case, see the "More Information" section for information about how to contact Microsoft Supplemental Parts to obtain a replacement device.

If the device works without any issue on a different computer, go to method 4.

Method 4: Test the mouse by using the Mousinfo diagnostic tool

The Mousinfo diagnostic tool is installed together with the IntelliPoint software. If you do not have this software, you cannot open the tool.

To install the IntelliPoint software, visit the following Microsoft Web site: To open the Mousinfo tool, follow these steps.

• Windows Vista
  1. Click Start
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     .
  2. Click All Programs.
  3. Click Accessories.
  4. Click Run.
  5. In the Open box, type mousinfo, and then click OK.
• Windows XP
  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type mousinfo.
  4. Click OK.

Click the mouse buttons to check whether the button clicks are recognized as UP and DOWN commands in the tool. If the mouse buttons are not recognized, you may have a defective device. If this is the case, see the "More Information" section for information about how to contact Microsoft Supplemental Parts to obtain a replacement device. However, the best way to determine whether the device is defective or damaged is to try the device on a different computer.

For more information about the Mousinfo tool, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 5: Uninstall any conflicting mouse software

If you have any other mouse software that is installed, such as Logitech or touchpad software, that software may conflict with the Intellimouse software. To uninstall the other software, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.

1. • Windows Vista
     
     Open Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Click Start
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        .
     2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
     3. Press ENTER.
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     If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
   • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows
     
     Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Click Start.
     2. Click Run.
     3. Type appwiz.cpl.
     4. Click OK.
2. Follow the instructions to remove the software.
3. Restart the computer.

If the issue continues to occur, go to method 2.

Method 6: Remove devices from Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
   • Windows Vista
     1. Click Start
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     2. In the Start Search box, type device manager, and then click Device Manager in the Programs list.
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     If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
   • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows
     1. Click Start.
     2. Click Run.
     3. Type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
2. Select Mice and other pointing devices, and then press ENTER.
3. Click any pointing device that is related to IntelliMouse or USB, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
4. Follow the instructions to remove the device.
5. Select Human Interface Devices, and then press ENTER.
6. Select any device under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
7. Repeat step 6 until you have removed all the devices.
8. Select Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
9. Select any device that indicates Root Hub or Host Controller, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
10. Select Mice and other pointing devices.
11. Select any other devices under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

If the issue continues to occur, go to method 3.

Method 7: Remove and reinstall the IntelliPoint software

1. View the list of programs that are installed on the computer. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
   • Windows Vista
     
     Open Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Click Start
        Collapse this imageExpand this image

        
        .
     2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
     3. Press ENTER.
        
        
     Collapse this imageExpand this image

     
     If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
   • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows
     
     Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Click Start.
     2. Click Run.
     3. Type appwiz.cpl.
     4. Click OK.
2. Remove Microsoft IntelliPoint. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
   • Windows Vista
     1. Click Microsoft IntelliPoint.
     2. Click Uninstall/Change.
        
        
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        If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
     3. Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the program.
   • Windows XP
     1. Click Microsoft IntelliPoint.
     2. Click Add/Remove.
     3. Click Finish.
     4. Click OK.
3. Restart the computer.
4. If you are currently running Microsoft IntelliPoint 4.0 or an earlier version, download and install the laterst version of the IntelliPoint software. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/download/download.aspx?category=MK (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/download/download.aspx?category=MK)

For more information about pointing devices that do not work as expected, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Contacting Microsoft Supplemental Parts

In the United States and in Canada, you can contact the Microsoft Supplemental Parts team at the following telephone numbers:

• United States: (800) 360-7561, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time
• Canada: (800) 933-4750, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time
• TTY customers: (800) 718-1599, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time

For more information about how to replace or upgrade Microsoft software, hardware, and manuals, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.