Sea of Thieves Keyboard/Mouse Not Working or Lagging: Launched in 2018, Sea of Thieves is a highly acclaimed action-adventure video game that immerses players in an open-world multiplayer pirate experience.
Players can engage in activities such as sailing ships, battling enemies, looting treasures, and exploring a vast oceanic landscape, all of which contribute to the thrill of living the pirate life.
Developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Studios, the game has garnered significant praise for its engaging gameplay and visuals. However, like many games, it is not without its technical challenges.
One common issue reported by players is the malfunctioning or lagging of keyboard and mouse controls while playing Sea of Thieves on PC.
Despite achieving a commendable rating of 9/10 on Steam, many users have experienced frustrating problems that detract from their overall gaming experience.
According to numerous posts on the Sea of Thieves Steam forum, players have noted that their connected USB peripherals, such as keyboards and mice, can exhibit significant lag or, in some cases, fail to be recognized by the game, leading to interruptions in gameplay.
Fix: Sea of Thieves Keyboard/Mouse Not Working or Lagging
Many players experiencing issues with mouse performance in the game report a common trend: while the mouse initially functions well, it quickly deteriorates after a few seconds, leading to significant lag.
This lag hampers players’ ability to move their characters or execute actions precisely when needed. Given that a battle royale game relies heavily on quick reflexes and real-time movements, this issue is particularly problematic.
The root of the problem appears to be server-side conflicts that are causing delays with mouse and keyboard inputs. Fortunately, we have compiled several potential solutions that may help alleviate these issues.
Numerous players, including seasoned veterans, have shared their insights and troubleshooting tips on various forums, which have proven effective in many cases. Let’s explore these solutions to improve your gaming experience.
1. Reconnect Mouse and Keyboard
To begin with, it’s advisable to unplug and then plug back in both the mouse and keyboard connected to your computer. This step can help rule out any potential connectivity problems. Frequently, a loose or faulty USB connection can lead to these types of issues.
2. Update Mouse and Keyboard Driver
It is essential to keep the mouse and keyboard drivers on your PC up to date, as outdated or missing drivers can lead to various connectivity and functionality issues. To ensure your drivers are current, follow these steps:
- 1. Begin by right-clicking on the Start Menu to access the Quick Access Menu.
- 2. Select “Device Manager” from the list to open the management interface.
- 3. Locate and double-click on “Keyboards” to view the available devices.
- 4. Right-click on the keyboard you are currently using.
- 5. From the context menu, choose “Update driver” and then select “Search automatically for drivers.”
- 6. The system will check for any available updates.
- 7. If a newer version is found, it will download and install automatically.
- 8. After the installation is complete, restart your PC to ensure the changes take effect.
Repeat the process for your mouse and other pointing devices by following the same steps outlined, but this time select the relevant category in Device Manager.
3. Check for the Mouse and Keyboard Software Update
Currently, many manufacturers of keyboards and mice provide specialized software that allows users to customize their devices. Leading brands such as Logitech, Dell, SteelSeries, and Cooler Master offer tailored applications for PC users.
To access this software, simply visit the official website of your device’s brand and download the most recent version compatible with your specific model number.
4. Try Using Other Peripherals
Consider exploring alternative peripheral devices, as the keyboard or mouse currently in use might have underlying issues that could hinder performance.
5. Update Windows
If you’re using an older version of the Windows operating system or an outdated build, it’s important to ensure that your system is updated. Follow these steps to check for and install any available updates:
- 1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings menu.
- 2. In the left sidebar, select “Windows Update,” then click on “Check for updates.”
- 3. If any updates are found, choose the “Download and Install” option.
- 4. Allow the update process to finish.
- 5. After the updates are complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Additionally, you should check for optional updates, as certain device driver updates and security patches may appear in this section. Here’s how to do that:
- 1. Again, press the Windows + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
- 2. Navigate to “Windows Update” on the left side, then click on “Advanced Options.”
- 3. Scroll down to find the “Additional options” section.
- 4. Click on “Optional updates.” If any updates are listed, be sure to select them.
- 5. Choose “Download & install.” Once the updates are finished, restart your system to ensure everything is properly updated.
6. Disable Mouse Acceleration
By default, mouse acceleration is often activated, which can lead to various gameplay problems. To resolve these issues, it’s advisable to disable mouse acceleration in both the game’s settings and your Windows configuration. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Click the Windows icon located on your taskbar to access the Start menu.
- 2. In the search bar, type “Control Panel” and open it.
- 3. Navigate to **Hardware and Sound**, then select **Mouse** under the **Devices and Printers** section.
- 4. In the **Mouse Properties** window, switch to the **Pointer Options** tab.
- 5. In the **Motion** section, uncheck the box labeled “Enhance pointer precision” to turn off this feature.
- 6. Click **Apply**, then **OK** to confirm your changes.
Next, you should also disable mouse acceleration in the game itself for optimal performance. To do this:
- 1. Launch **Sea of Thieves** and navigate to the **Settings** menu.
- 2. Click on the **Mouse/Keyboard** tab.
- 3. Set **Mouse Acceleration** to **Off**.
- 4. Press the **Esc** key to exit the settings and resume your game.
Following these steps should help improve your gameplay experience significantly.
7. Update Sea of Thieves
Players may encounter significant issues if they are using an outdated version of the game. This can lead to increased bugs and instability, particularly with newer operating systems. To ensure a smooth gaming experience, it is advisable to check for and install any available game updates promptly. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Locate and select Sea of Thieves from the list of your installed games on the left side.
- 3. The client will automatically search for any updates that are available.
- 4. If an update is found, click on the “Update” option.
- 5. Allow a few minutes for the update to download and install, depending on your internet speed and available storage space.
- 6. Once the update is completed, close the Steam client.
- 7. Restart your PC to implement the changes, and then you can reopen Sea of Thieves to enjoy the game with the latest updates.
8. Enable Mouse Trails on Windows
To determine if the issue has been resolved, consider enabling the mouse trails feature on your Windows PC. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Exit Sea of Thieves from both the launcher and the taskbar.
- 2. Press the Windows key and the ‘I’ key simultaneously to access Windows Settings.
- 3. Navigate to the Devices section and click on Mouse.
- 4. Select Additional Mouse Options.
- 5. In the Pointer Options tab, check the box for Display Pointer Trails.
- 6. Click Apply and then restart the game to see if the problem persists.
9. Try Changing Mouse DPI to 500Hz
Consider lowering your mouse’s DPI or setting the refresh rate to 500Hz if you’re currently using a higher setting, as this could help minimize lag during gameplay.
Many players have reported improvements with this adjustment, so it might be worth trying. On the other hand, if you’re already operating with a lower DPI, such as 100Hz or 125Hz, you could potentially experience less lag and improve your performance compared to others.
10. Try Changing the Keyboard Repeat Rate
To adjust the keyboard repeat rate to a slower setting, please follow these instructions:
- 1. Begin by clicking the Windows icon located on your taskbar to access the Start menu.
- 2. In the search bar, type “Control Panel” and select it from the results.
- 3. Look for “Keyboard” within the Control Panel and click to open it, then navigate to the Keyboard Properties section.
- 4. Under the Speed tab, set the Repeat Rate to Slow and adjust the Repeat Delay to Short.
- 5. Finally, click Apply, then OK to confirm and save your changes.
11. Adjust Power Management for USB HUB Devices
It’s possible that your connected USB hub devices may be entering sleep mode after a period of inactivity, leading to issues when trying to wake them up. To prevent this from happening, you can modify the power management settings for the USB Root Hub. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Open the Quick Link Menu by pressing the Windows + X keys together.
- 2. Select Device Manager from the list, then expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section by double-clicking on it.
- 3. Locate the USB Root Hub device, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
- 4. In the Properties window, navigate to the Power Management tab. Here, ensure that the option “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is unchecked.
- 5. To finalize the changes, restart your computer.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your USB devices remain active and responsive.
12. Turn OFF Windows Scaling
Windows Scaling is a feature designed to adjust the size of on-screen text, applications, and various visual components, enhancing visibility and usability for users. If you are experiencing mouse cursor or pointer lag, you might consider disabling this feature as it may help alleviate the issue.
To access the Windows Settings menu, press the Windows + I keys simultaneously. Then, navigate to the System section on the left side and select Display.
Under the Scale and Layout section, you can adjust the size of text, apps, and other items. It is advisable to set this to 125% or 150% for your preferred viewing size, although 100% is the standard recommendation.
If you continue to face problems with mouse lag, you can disable scaling by following these steps:
- 1. Right-click on the Sea of Thieves executable file.
- 2. Select Properties from the context menu.
- 3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
- 4. Check the box labeled “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings” to turn off scaling.
- 5. Finally, click Apply and then OK to confirm your changes.
13. Disable Overlay Apps
Occasionally, certain applications may come bundled with overlay tools that provide significant benefits for streamers and gamers. However, these overlay tools can sometimes interfere with game files, leading to issues such as drops in frame rates, black screens, lag, and glitches. To determine whether disabling these overlays resolves any crashing problems, you should manually turn them off before restarting the game. Here’s how to do that for various applications:
**Disabling Discord Overlay:
- 1. Open the Discord application and click on the gear icon located at the bottom.
- 2. Navigate to the Overlay section under App Settings and toggle the option for “Enable in-game overlay” to off.
- 3. Go to the Games tab, find “Matchpoint – Tennis Championships,” and ensure the in-game overlay is disabled.
- 4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
**Disabling Xbox Game Bar:
- 1. Press the Windows + I keys to access Windows Settings.
- 2. Select the Gaming option and then click on Game Bar.
- 3. Toggle off the option for “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using the Game bar.”
**Disabling Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:
- 1. Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience application and navigate to Settings.
- 2. Click on the General tab and turn off the “In-Game Overlay” option.
- 3. Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect, then relaunch your game.
**Disabling Steam Overlay:
- 1. Open the Steam client and go to your Library.
- 2. Right-click on “Sea of Thieves” and select Properties.
- 3. In the General section, uncheck the box labeled “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
- 4. Return to your Library and start “Sea of Thieves” to see if the mouse and keyboard lag persists.
Other overlay applications, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, and RGB software, may also cause conflicts. It is advisable to disable these as well to ensure smooth gameplay.
14. Set Launch Options with 100 FPS
Certain players have resolved the mouse and keyboard lag issues in Sea of Thieves by capping the maximum frame rate at 100 FPS. You might want to consider this solution as well.
To adjust the FPS settings, follow these steps:
- 1. Launch Steam and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Find Sea of Thieves in your game list and right-click on it.
- 3. Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu, then click on the ‘General’ tab.
- 4. In the section labeled ‘Launch Options,’ input the command: +fps_max 100.
- 5. After entering this command, restart the Steam client and relaunch the game.
This adjustment may help enhance your gaming experience by reducing lag.
15. Verify and Repair Game Files
In the event that your game files become lost or corrupted on your PC for any unforeseen reason, you may experience various problems when trying to launch the game, along with other potential conflicts. To resolve this, it’s crucial to properly verify and repair the game files to identify any issues.
Important: Avoid running other resource-intensive applications while conducting this process.
Here’s how to verify your game files on Steam:
- 1. Open the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Locate Sea of Thieves in your list of installed games and right-click on it.
- 3. Select Properties from the dropdown menu.
- 4. Go to the Local Files tab.
- 5. Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
You will need to wait for the verification process to finish. Once it’s complete, restart your computer; this should address any issues related to the game files.
After completing these steps, close the Steam client and reboot your PC to ensure the changes take effect.
We hope you find this guide useful. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.