Hollow Knight Keyboard and Mouse Not Working Issue

Hollow Knight Keyboard and Mouse Not Working Issue: How to FIX

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Hollow Knight Keyboard and Mouse Not Working Issue: Hollow Knight is an engaging and challenging indie metroidvania game loved by millions worldwide.

However, some players face frustrating issues where their keyboard or mouse stops working properly while playing the game, rendering it unplayable. This problem can manifest as the game not responding to key presses or mouse clicks, inputs lagging, or devices not being recognized at all.

If you’re encountering keyboard and mouse issues in Hollow Knight, don’t worry—this guide covers everything you need to know to diagnose and fix these problems.

We’ll walk through common causes, detailed troubleshooting steps, and solutions that work for PC players across different setups. Whether you’re playing with a wired or wireless keyboard and mouse, this guide has you covered.

Why Does Keyboard and Mouse Stop Working in Hollow Knight?

Before jumping into fixes, understanding why this problem occurs can help you solve it more effectively. Some common reasons are:

  • Driver or software conflicts: Outdated or corrupted drivers for your keyboard or mouse can cause input issues.

  • USB port or connection problems: Faulty or loose USB connections may result in devices disconnecting or not being detected.

  • In-game input conflicts: Sometimes the game’s input settings or configurations can interfere with device recognition.

  • Overlay and background software conflicts: Applications like Steam overlay, Discord overlay, or third-party mouse/keyboard utilities might interfere.

  • Game bugs or corrupted files: Issues within the game’s installation can cause input malfunctions.

  • Windows or system settings: Settings related to USB power management, device permissions, or input devices may prevent proper function.

  • Third-party controller interference: If a controller is connected, Hollow Knight may prioritize it, disabling keyboard/mouse input.

  • Antivirus or firewall blocks: Occasionally, security software can block game input processes.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Keyboard and Mouse Not Working in Hollow Knight

1. Check Physical Connections and Hardware

Start with the basics:

  • Make sure your keyboard and mouse are properly connected to your PC. If wired, unplug and replug the USB cables.

  • Try different USB ports (preferably USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports on the back of a desktop for better stability).

  • Test your keyboard and mouse in other applications or games to confirm they’re working correctly.

  • If using wireless devices, check batteries and reconnect Bluetooth or dongle.

  • Restart your PC to refresh hardware detection.

2. Restart Hollow Knight and Steam

Sometimes the game or Steam client needs a fresh start:

  • Close Hollow Knight completely.

  • Restart Steam to clear potential input conflicts.

  • Relaunch Hollow Knight and test if keyboard and mouse inputs work.

3. Disable Controller or Disconnect It

Hollow Knight often prioritizes connected controllers, which can disable keyboard and mouse input.

  • Disconnect any wired or wireless controllers from your PC.

  • Disable controller support in Steam:

    • Open Steam → Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings.

    • Uncheck all controller configurations (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, etc.).

  • Relaunch Hollow Knight and see if keyboard and mouse respond.

4. Disable Steam Overlay and Other Overlays

Overlays sometimes interfere with inputs:

  • Disable Steam Overlay for Hollow Knight:

    • Right-click the game in Steam Library → Properties → General → Uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.

  • Close other overlays like Discord, GeForce Experience, or MSI Afterburner.

  • Relaunch the game and check input functionality.

5. Update or Reinstall Keyboard and Mouse Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause input failure:

  • Open Device Manager (press Windows + X → Device Manager).

  • Expand Keyboards and Mice and other pointing devices.

  • Right-click each device and select Update driver → Search automatically for updated driver software.

  • If the problem persists, uninstall the devices (right-click → Uninstall device) and restart your PC. Windows will reinstall drivers automatically.

  • Alternatively, download drivers from your device manufacturer’s website.

6. Check Game Input Settings and Rebind Keys

It’s possible the game’s input settings are misconfigured:

  • Launch Hollow Knight and navigate to Options → Controls.

  • Check if keyboard input is enabled and keys are bound properly.

  • Try rebinding the controls manually to different keys and test.

  • Reset controls to default if available.

7. Verify Integrity of Game Files via Steam

Corrupted game files may disrupt input detection:

  • In Steam Library, right-click Hollow Knight → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files.

  • Steam will scan and repair any corrupted or missing files.

8. Adjust Windows USB Power Management Settings

Windows may turn off USB devices to save power, causing disconnections:

  • Open Device Manager → Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.

  • Right-click each USB Root Hub device → Properties → Power Management tab.

  • Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

  • Repeat for all USB hubs and restart your PC.

9. Run Hollow Knight as Administrator

Running the game with elevated privileges can fix permission-related input issues:

  • Right-click Hollow Knight executable or shortcut → Properties → Compatibility tab.

  • Check Run this program as administrator.

  • Click Apply and launch the game.

10. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

Sometimes security software interferes with input devices or game processes:

  • Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software.

  • Launch Hollow Knight and test keyboard/mouse.

  • If this fixes the issue, add Hollow Knight as an exception in your antivirus/firewall settings.

11. Reinstall Hollow Knight

As a last resort, a clean reinstall can solve persistent input problems:

  • Backup your save files located in:
    C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\LocalLow\Team Cherry\Hollow Knight

  • Uninstall Hollow Knight via Steam.

  • Delete leftover folders and files from the above location to ensure no corrupted configs remain.

  • Reinstall the game fresh from Steam.

  • Restore save files if desired and test input devices.

12. Check for Windows Updates and System Integrity

Outdated system software or corrupted Windows files may affect input:

  • Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and install all updates.

  • Run System File Checker:

    • Open Command Prompt as admin (Windows + X → Command Prompt (Admin)).

    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

    • Wait for the scan to complete and fix any issues.

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Additional Tips

  • Use a different keyboard or mouse to isolate if the issue is device-specific.

  • Avoid using USB hubs or extenders during troubleshooting.

  • If playing via remote desktop or streaming software, local inputs might not register correctly.

  • Ensure your keyboard layout (language settings) in Windows matches your physical keyboard.

FAQs About Hollow Knight Keyboard and Mouse Not Working Issue

Q1: Why does my keyboard or mouse stop working only in Hollow Knight?
A: This usually happens due to software conflicts, controller prioritization, corrupted game files, or input settings within the game.

Q2: Will unplugging controllers fix the keyboard/mouse issue?
A: Yes. Hollow Knight prioritizes controllers, so disconnecting them often restores keyboard and mouse functionality.

Q3: Can Steam overlay cause input issues?
A: Yes. Disabling Steam overlay for Hollow Knight can resolve input conflicts caused by overlay interference.

Q4: My keyboard works in Windows but not in Hollow Knight. What now?
A: Check in-game control settings, disable controller inputs, update drivers, and try running the game as administrator.

Q5: Does running the game in compatibility mode help?
A: Sometimes. If you are using an older version of Windows or have compatibility issues, try running Hollow Knight in Windows 7 or 8 compatibility mode.

Q6: Could antivirus software block keyboard or mouse inputs?
A: In rare cases, yes. Temporarily disable antivirus or add exceptions for Hollow Knight to avoid input interference.

Q7: My mouse clicks work but keyboard doesn’t respond. How to fix?
A: Focus on keyboard drivers, check USB connections, and ensure no software remapping keys is active. Rebinding keys in-game also helps.

Q8: Can using wireless keyboards or mice cause issues?
A: Yes, wireless devices may have connection drops or latency. Try using wired devices to rule out wireless interference.

Q9: Will updating Windows fix input problems?
A: Updating Windows ensures the latest patches and driver support, often resolving input and compatibility issues.

Q10: Is there a way to reset Hollow Knight controls to default?
A: Yes. You can do this within the game’s control settings or by deleting the options.ini file in the game folder to reset configurations.

Conclusion

Keyboard and mouse issues in Hollow Knight can be frustrating but are usually fixable with systematic troubleshooting. Start by checking hardware connections, updating drivers, and disabling controllers or overlays. Adjust game settings, verify files, and manage Windows power and permissions to restore input functionality.

By following this guide, most players can resolve keyboard and mouse problems and return to exploring the mysterious world of Hallownest uninterrupted. If problems persist, contacting Team Cherry support or seeking community help on forums can provide additional assistance.

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