Peripheral Device Not Detected (Keyboard, Mouse, Webcam, USB)

Symptom

A connected peripheral (keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB drive, or similar) is not recognized by the computer.

Possible Causes

• A loose or faulty cable or connection.
• A faulty USB port.
• A missing or outdated driver.
• The device is disabled in Device Manager.
• The device itself is faulty.

Step-by-step Resolution

1. Confirm the device is properly connected, and try a different USB port.
2. Test the device on another computer if possible, to rule out a faulty device.
3. Check Device Manager for the device, looking for a yellow warning icon or an "Unknown Device" entry.
4. If the device is disabled, enable it in Device Manager.
5. Update or reinstall the driver for the device.
6. Restart the computer and reconnect the device.
7. If it's a wireless device, replace the batteries and re-pair it.
8. Confirm the device works as expected before closing the ticket.

When to Escalate

• The device fails on multiple computers, indicating a faulty device that needs replacement.
• Device Manager shows a hardware error that driver updates don't resolve.
• The issue affects a specialized or non-standard peripheral outside your team's supported list.
• The port itself appears physically damaged and needs hardware repair.

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Still stuck? Submit a ticket and reference this article. The agent will already know what steps you've tried.