I've built a computer that's about 10 months old, and suddenly, it won't recognize any USB devices like my keyboard or mouse, regardless of the type. After some troubleshooting, I've confirmed that the BIOS settings are not causing the issue. Here's what I've done so far: I've cleared the CMOS, flashed the BIOS driver, reset all BIOS defaults, updated the keyboard and mouse drivers, and adjusted USB settings in the BIOS. Since I can't even input my login password, I'm wondering what my options are for accessing the computer to update Windows 11. Is a factory reset my only choice? I could really use some advice on what to do next.
2 Answers
I wonder if your USB driver has expired certificates—this issue primarily affected Windows 10, but Windows 11 uses newer drivers. It's a bit unclear whether you're trying to update from Windows 10 to 11 or just getting your current install freshened up, but you might want to look into this if you’re seeing old driver dates.
You can trigger Windows to enter Recovery Mode by interrupting the boot three times: just hold the power button to turn it off as soon as Windows starts loading. Repeat this three times, and it should lead you to the Automatic Repair screen. From there, go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and select Startup Settings before hitting Restart. If you’re able to get into Safe Mode and the USB devices work, you could uninstall and then reinstall your USB drivers or the chipset/motherboard drivers. After that, check for Windows updates.
I tried that recently, but whenever I choose any Safe Mode option, it just restarts and says Automatic Repair failed, sending me back to the recovery screen. No luck with Safe Mode so far.
That's interesting; one mouse driver is from 2021, and the other devices I tried are even older. Do you think getting a new keyboard and mouse could solve the problem?