Genshin Impact Keyboard and Mouse Not Working Issue: If your keyboard and mouse are not working in Genshin Impact, the game can feel completely stuck.
You may be able to launch the game, but then nothing responds properly: the character will not move, menus may not open, clicks may do nothing, or the controls may suddenly stop after working for a while. For PC players, this is one of the most frustrating issues because the game is designed to be very smooth with keyboard and mouse input.
The good news is that this problem is usually not permanent. In most cases, it comes from a control setting, a device conflict, a driver problem, or a temporary bug in the game or system. With the right steps, you can usually restore normal control behavior without reinstalling everything from scratch.
This complete guide will explain why the issue happens and walk you through every practical fix, from simple checks to deeper troubleshooting.
Why Keyboard and Mouse Stop Working in Genshin Impact
Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand what is actually going wrong. Keyboard and mouse problems in Genshin Impact usually fall into one of these categories.
1. The game is set to controller mode
Genshin Impact can switch between keyboard and mouse and controller input. If the game is set to controller mode, your keyboard and mouse may not respond the way you expect.
2. Windows is not detecting the devices correctly
Sometimes the keyboard or mouse works in Windows, but the game does not receive the input properly. This can happen after updates, sleep mode, or device reconnects.
3. Conflicting software is interfering
Programs such as input mappers, overlay tools, macro software, or controller software can interfere with the game’s input system.
4. USB, Bluetooth, or wireless connection issues
If you use wireless keyboard and mouse devices, unstable connections can cause them to stop responding inside the game.
5. Driver or firmware problems
Outdated or broken drivers can cause the system to misread your devices or delay input.
6. In-game settings or keybind problems
Sometimes the controls are still working, but your bindings have changed or become invalid.
7. Game files or launcher issues
Corrupted game files can affect input behavior, especially after a bad update or incomplete patch.
8. Hardware problems
A damaged cable, weak battery, faulty USB port, or failing device can also cause the issue.
Step 1: Check Whether the Game Is in Controller Mode
This is the first thing to check because it is one of the most common reasons keyboard and mouse appear to stop working.
Genshin Impact can switch input modes depending on what device it detects. If a controller was connected before, the game may still be using controller mode.
What to do:
- Open the game settings
- Go to the control or input settings section
- Look for the input mode
- Switch it back to keyboard and mouse
After changing the mode, try moving, opening menus, and using basic keys again.
If you use a controller sometimes, unplug it completely and restart the game before testing again. Some games prioritize the last input device they detected.
Step 2: Restart the Game Completely
Sometimes the issue is only temporary. The game may have lost track of your input devices after a quick alt-tab, system sleep, or device reconnect.
Do this:
- Close Genshin Impact fully
- Do not just minimize it
- End the game from Task Manager if needed
- Reopen the launcher and start the game again
A full restart often fixes:
- Frozen keyboard input
- Mouse clicks not registering
- Delayed controls
- Input switching problems
If the game started fine but input broke later, a restart is one of the fastest fixes.
Step 3: Unplug and Reconnect Your Keyboard and Mouse
If you are using wired devices, disconnect and reconnect them. If you are using wireless devices, turn them off and back on.
Try this:
- Unplug the keyboard and mouse
- Wait a few seconds
- Plug them back into different USB ports
- If wireless, re-pair or resync them
Sometimes Windows keeps the device active but the game stops listening correctly. A simple reconnect can refresh the signal.
If possible, test both devices in a different USB port. A bad port can cause one device to stop working while the other is fine.
Step 4: Test the Devices Outside the Game
Before assuming Genshin Impact is the problem, check whether your keyboard and mouse work normally in Windows.
Test these:
- Open Notepad and type
- Move the mouse on the desktop
- Open browser tabs
- Use right-click and left-click normally
If the devices do not work properly outside the game, the problem is not Genshin Impact. It is more likely:
- A hardware issue
- A USB port issue
- A driver issue
- A wireless connection problem
If they work fine in Windows but fail only inside Genshin Impact, the issue is more likely related to game settings or software conflict.
Step 5: Disable Conflicting Controller and Input Software
Many keyboard and mouse issues come from software that tries to control input behavior.
This can include:
- Steam Input
- DS4Windows
- reWASD
- Input remappers
- Macro tools
- Controller emulators
- Third-party gaming overlay tools
These tools may make the game think a controller is connected, even when you want to use keyboard and mouse.
Fix:
- Close the software completely
- Check Task Manager to make sure it is not running in the background
- Restart Genshin Impact
- Test the controls again
If the issue disappears after closing one tool, that tool was probably the conflict source.
Step 6: Check for a Hidden Controller Connection
Even if you are not actively using a controller, Genshin Impact may detect one and switch input mode.
Check for:
- A controller plugged into USB
- A Bluetooth controller paired to the PC
- A controller dongle connected
- A virtual controller created by software
Fix:
- Disconnect all controllers
- Turn off Bluetooth controllers
- Remove the device if necessary
- Restart the game
This is especially important if the keyboard seems to stop working only in menus or only after moving the mouse.
Step 7: Update Your Keyboard and Mouse Drivers
On PC, drivers can matter more than many people realize. If your devices are not behaving correctly, updating the drivers can help.
What to do:
- Open Device Manager
- Find the keyboard and mouse entries
- Right-click and update drivers
- Restart the PC after updating
If you are using a gaming mouse or mechanical keyboard with special software, also check the manufacturer’s software for firmware updates.
This is useful when:
- Mouse clicks lag
- Keyboard input is delayed
- Certain keys do not register
- The game behaves differently after a Windows update
Step 8: Try Another USB Port or Another Device
Sometimes the problem is not the game at all. It may be a failing port or faulty device.
Test this:
- Use another USB port
- Try a different keyboard
- Try a different mouse
- Avoid USB hubs temporarily
If a different keyboard and mouse work correctly, your original device may be damaged or incompatible.
If both devices fail only in the same port, that port or hub may be the cause.
Step 9: Disable Windows Keyboard or Mouse Accessibility Settings
Certain accessibility features in Windows can affect normal input behavior.
Check settings like:
- Sticky Keys
- Filter Keys
- Mouse Keys
- Accessibility shortcuts
These can sometimes interfere with timing, repeated key presses, or normal movement.
Fix:
- Open Windows accessibility settings
- Turn off features you do not use
- Restart the game and test again
If the keyboard seems slow, unresponsive, or repeats strangely, this step can help.
Step 10: Run the Game as Administrator
Sometimes the game needs elevated permission to read input correctly, especially if security software or Windows permissions are limiting access.
Try this:
- Right-click the Genshin Impact launcher or game shortcut
- Choose Run as Administrator
This may help if the game is failing to interact correctly with system-level input or overlay components.
Step 11: Repair the Game Files
Corrupted game files can cause a wide range of strange issues, including input problems.
Use the launcher repair option:
- Open the Genshin Impact launcher
- Find the repair or verify option
- Let the launcher scan and fix any damaged files
This is especially useful if the issue started after:
- A game update
- A crash
- A failed download
- A power interruption
If input problems are caused by broken files, a repair scan is often enough.
Step 12: Update Windows
Outdated Windows versions can create compatibility issues with input devices, especially after game updates.
Make sure:
- Windows is fully updated
- Optional updates are installed if relevant
- Restart the PC after updates
A system update can fix:
- USB recognition issues
- HID device bugs
- Driver compatibility problems
- Input delay after sleep or wake
Step 13: Check Mouse Software and Keyboard Macros
Many gaming peripherals come with their own software. This software can create custom profiles, macro layers, or special input modes that conflict with the game.
Examples include:
- Logitech G Hub
- Razer Synapse
- Corsair iCUE
- SteelSeries GG
- Redragon or other peripheral software
What to do:
- Open the software
- Disable macros or custom profiles temporarily
- Return settings to default
- Restart the game
If your mouse buttons or keyboard keys do not behave normally, the software profile may be overriding them.
Step 14: Turn Off Overlays and Background Tools
Overlays can sometimes affect how the game receives input.
Try disabling:
- Discord overlay
- Steam overlay
- Xbox Game Bar
- NVIDIA overlay
- Recording or streaming overlays
These do not always cause input problems, but when they do, the symptoms can be very confusing. Turning them off is a good test.
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Step 15: Reinstall the Game Only if Necessary
If none of the fixes work, a clean reinstall may be the last option.
Do this only after trying the simpler steps because reinstalling takes time and storage.
A reinstall may help if:
- The problem started after a bad patch
- Game files are badly corrupted
- Repair did not fix the issue
- Input problems happen only in this game and nowhere else
Make sure you back up any important settings or note your login details before reinstalling.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Input Problems
If the keyboard and mouse still do not work properly, try these deeper checks.
1. Test in another account or user profile
Sometimes the issue is tied to a specific Windows profile.
2. Boot into a clean environment
A clean startup can help you see whether background software is causing the problem.
3. Check for malware or system corruption
Rarely, system-level issues can interfere with input. Run a trusted security scan if needed.
4. Reset device settings
If you have customized too many input options, return them to default.
5. Check for USB power saving settings
Windows may turn off USB devices to save power.
Fix:
- Open Device Manager
- Check USB root hub and input device power settings
- Disable power-saving behavior if needed
This can help if devices stop working after the PC wakes from sleep.
Quick Fix Checklist
If you want the fastest possible path, try this order:
- Switch input mode to keyboard and mouse
- Restart the game completely
- Unplug controller devices
- Reconnect keyboard and mouse
- Disable Steam Input or other remappers
- Update drivers
- Repair game files
- Turn off overlays
- Try another USB port
- Reinstall only if nothing else works
How to Prevent the Problem in the Future
Once your controls are working again, a few habits can help keep them stable.
- Avoid leaving a controller connected if you do not use it
- Keep Windows and drivers updated
- Use reliable USB ports instead of loose hubs
- Do not run too many input or overlay tools at the same time
- Restart the game after switching devices
- Keep your peripheral software updated
- Use default control settings unless you really need custom bindings
These small steps can prevent random input loss later.
FAQs
1. Why is my keyboard working in Windows but not in Genshin Impact?
This usually happens because the game is in controller mode, a controller is still connected, or another input tool is interfering. Switching back to keyboard and mouse mode and unplugging controllers usually fixes it.
2. Why is my mouse clicking but the game is not responding?
This can happen because of a UI glitch, overlay conflict, input mode issue, or corrupted game files. Restarting the game, disabling overlays, and repairing files are the best first steps.
3. Do I need to reinstall Genshin Impact to fix keyboard and mouse problems?
Not usually. Most cases are solved by changing input mode, disconnecting controller devices, updating drivers, or repairing files. Reinstalling should be the last step.
Final Thoughts
Keyboard and mouse issues in Genshin Impact can be very annoying, but they are usually fixable. The most common causes are controller mode being enabled, another input device taking priority, software conflicts, or a temporary game or driver glitch.
Start with the simple solutions first: check input mode, restart the game, unplug controllers, and make sure Windows is detecting your devices properly. Then move on to driver updates, file repair, and software conflict checks if needed.
In most cases, one of these steps will bring your controls back to normal and let you play smoothly again.