Keyboard/mouse keep losing contact with my PC. No idea why!

jenniewb

Trying to figure this out, I've had my PC a few years now, got a new mouse (TeckNet) and keyboard (Logitec) about a year ago, both of which are wireless. Ideally I want to keep them wireless.


In the last few months after waking my computer from "sleep" I find I can't use either my keyboard or mouse- in fact some times I can't even get the screen to connect with the computer either despite being connected with a very thick cable! It doesn't happen every time but does happen at least once every few days. No idea why.


I've looked for updates, looked through any "problem solutions", none.
I've tried taking out the USB connectors and replacing them in a bid to "restart". Nope.
I've tried taking out and replacing the batteries, nothing.
There is no "restart" button on either the mouse or keyboard or screen for me to try.


The only thing I seem to be able to do is to turn off the computer at the wall (flick a switch) and then turn it back on again. I don't think this sounds like a wise thing to do every few days.


Does anyone have any suggestions as to anything else to try?

Oblivion

You could try this. Go to Control Panel ... Power Options ... should bring up a Power Plans screen.
For the power plan you are currently on, select Change Plan Settings ... then select Change Advanced Power Settings ... this should bring up a list of items including USB and Wireless settings.
Make sure these two are set to Maximum Performance and NOT to go to sleep.

jenniewb

Oblivion wrote: »

You could try this. Go to Control Panel ... Power Options ... should bring up a Power Plans screen.
For the power plan you are currently on, select Change Plan Settings ... then select Change Advanced Power Settings ... this should bring up a list of items including USB and Wireless settings.
Make sure these two are set to Maximum Performance and NOT to go to sleep.

Just looked through the Control Panel, seems everything is already set just how you'd recommended it already. Not had any issues since looking but I don't get them every day. I'm thinking maybe I just give up on the idea of using the "sleep" function because if it means that every 5th or so time I have to turn off the computer at the wall and risk damaging the computer itself I'm better off playing it safe and just turning it off and on again repeatedly but properly.


But thanks for the suggestion

missile

Rather than turning off at wall > use ctrl alt del twice to turn off PC.

jenniewb

missile wrote: »

Rather than turning off at wall > use ctrl alt del twice to turn off PC.

Can't do this: the keyboard isn't recognised at all when I press any key. Nothing I do is recognised by the computer until I "restart" by turning off and on at the wall. Bit worried about doing this hence my thread.

RumRat

Surely it has a power button.....Hold this in until is switches off. Slightly better than a complete power cut caused by switching off at the mains. Unless of course you are saying even his isn't recognised?

missile

jenniewb wrote: »

Can't do this: the keyboard isn't recognised at all when I press any key. Nothing I do is recognised by the computer until I "restart" by turning off and on at the wall. Bit worried about doing this hence my thread.

Have you tried taking out the USB receiver and plugging it back in?
Try pressing the reset button on the keyboard - that often works for me when my wireless key board plays dead.

The_Loan_Stranger

You haven't bought any other wireless equipment lately have you? i.e. cordless phone, doorbell etc, they may be causing interference, or possibly a neighbour may have installed something wireless that could be causing interference, just a thought!

jenniewb

missile wrote: »

Have you tried taking out the USB receiver and plugging it back in?
Try pressing the reset button on the keyboard - that often works for me when my wireless key board plays dead.

Yup. One of the first things I tried after changing the batteries (three times). Made no difference. Additionally unlike my last wireless keyboard and mouse there is no little boost button to press to connect or pair the keyboard/mouse to the computer.

jenniewb

The_Loan_Stranger wrote: »

You haven't bought any other wireless equipment lately have you? i.e. cordless phone, doorbell etc, they may be causing interference, or possibly a neighbour may have installed something wireless that could be causing interference, just a thought!

Hadn't thought about a neighbour installing anything...worrying as I live in a flat! I have neighbours who are forever drilling and building living above and next door to me, but I get no mobile signal at home and the wireless signal from my router which connects to my mobile (when I'm using it- not all the time) dramatically drops if I just move to another room so I'm not overly worried about external wireless issues from other neighbours but I'll keep it in mind!


I do have a cordless phone but it's not new and sits on the receiver until I answer it, then goes back again (I have to do this or I'd probably lose it and the battery would die and I'd never find it again.)


I've decided to buy a wired keyboard to see if I can connect that when it stops working again, at least that way I could restart with the keyboard. It's not practical to use a wired keyboard (if you could see my set-up you'd understand why I'm saying this) but I'm now wondering if the wired keyboard will even be recognised- if it's a wireless issue or an issue with the computer not picking up anything from the USB ports.


Time will tell I guess. Annoyingly this computer is far from old and it is very annoying that this has happened, I hope it's a software issue that can be fixed and not a hardware one!


P.S
I don't suppose anyone knows why I always end up with a double-space gap when I press the return key once rather than a single space between paragraphs? I have gone through the settings, no idea why this happens but wish it would go back to normal!

jenniewb

RumRat wrote: »

Surely it has a power button.....Hold this in until is switches off. Slightly better than a complete power cut caused by switching off at the mains. Unless of course you are saying even his isn't recognised?

Does recognise this, but I've found it doesn't always recognise this- I often have to keep pressing the power button for up to 10 seconds. I'm going to try plugging in a wired keyboard next time this happens and see if the computer recognises that.