Common Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center Setup Issues

If you are experiencing any issues with your Keyboard such as keys or buttons not working, or feature related issues such as calculator, (including the calculator app not pulling focus, or appearing when launched from the keyboard), audio adjustments and manipulations, or brightness keys, ensure you have the latest version of Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software installed on the computer or device being used with your Microsoft Keyboard.

You can get the latest update by going Device Software Downloads. Identify your keyboard from the list, or search for it in the search bar. Once you have identified your keyboard, select it to go to the available downloads page. Under "Software and Drivers," select the available update, and follow the onscreen instructions.

During Setup, you may have to restart the computer one or more times. Logging on as a member of the Guests group during the Setup process may result in an installation error. Setup requires that you are logged on as a member of the Administrators group.

If you are using a previous version of the software and you install a new version of Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software, you may lose some customizations, such as key reassignments. To fix this problem, you may have to update your keyboard customizations after you install Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software.

If you already have keyboard software installed on your computer, you may be unable to install Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software until you remove the existing keyboard software. Some computer manufacturers pre-install keyboard software that is appropriate for the keyboard that was included with the computer.

The keyboard does not seem to be responding

Try the following:

• The USB connection may be loose. Try unplugging the keyboard, and then plugging it back in.

• Plug the keyboard into a different USB port.

• If your keyboard is plugged into a USB hub or USB switch box, try removing it and plugging the keyboard into the computer.

• Unplug other USB devices that are not in use.

• Try the keyboard on another computer to verify it is working correctly.

• If you are using a wireless keyboard, troubleshoot the wireless connection.
  

  Note: PS/2 connectors are not supported in this version of Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. If you connect a keyboard with a PS/2 connector, this software cannot configure any optional settings.

   

Devices plugged into the USB ports on my keyboard do not work

Some USBs will not work when plugged into the keyboard; these devices may require a powered USB hub or have other hardware requirements. If your device is supported, try the following solutions:

• Plug the keyboard into a different USB port.

• If your keyboard is plugged into a USB hub or USB switch box, try removing it and plugging the keyboard into the computer.

• Unplug other USB devices that are not in use.

• Plug the device directly into the computer to verify it is working correctly.

Microsoft keyboards and Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software are not supported for use with Windows Terminal Services or Remote Desktop, and some features may not work as expected.

Some of keys do not work when I press them

Try the following:

• Clean your keyboard.

• Install the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software. Some keys require Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software.

• If a key requires software, install it. Some key commands require that you have a specific program installed, such as a supported e-mail program, Web browser, media player, instant messenger program, or graphics editing program.

• Hot Keys may not function as expected if a modifier key (such as Shift, Control, Alt, or Windows) is pressed at the same time.
  

  Tip: If you do not have the appropriate supported program installed, you can still use the key by reassigning it.

If you have two wireless receivers connected to your computer, and you type a single key on your wireless keyboard, double characters may appear on your screen. For example, when you type a single "a," you may see "aa" on your screen.

If you have been using an older Microsoft keyboard with a wireless receiver, and have purchased a new one, disconnect the old receiver.

Some keys are designed to repeat when pressed and held down. On some keyboard models, these keys only repeat when the keyboard is connected to the computer using a universal serial bus (USB) plug. The following keys may be designed to repeat: Back, Forward, Next, Prev Track, Next Track, Volume-, Volume+, Zoom-, and Zoom+.

These keys are on the top row of the keyboard. On some keyboard models, these keys are touch-sensitive.

If your keyboard has an F Lock key, press it to toggle between Function key modes.

Alternate function keys have two possible commands depending on if the function lock (F Lock) key is turned on or off. Depending on your keyboard model, the light (F) indicating that the F Lock key is turned on is located either on the keyboard or on the wireless receiver. If the key command is printed on the front of the key (such as F5) instead of on top of the key (such as Open), the F Lock must be on for the key command to work.

Some Directional /Functional keys do not work when I press them. (Scroll Lock, Break, Insert, and alternate function keys - Help, Undo, Redo, New,Open, Close, Reply, Fwd, Send, Spell, Save, Print)

Try the following:

• If your keyboard has an F Lock key, press it to toggle between Function key modes. Alternate function keys have two possible commands depending on if the function lock (F Lock) key is turned on or off. Depending on your keyboard model, the light (F) indicating that the F Lock key is turned on is located either on the keyboard or on the wireless receiver. If the key command is printed on the front of the key (such as F5) instead of on top of the key (such as Open), then F Lock must be on for the key command to work.

• If your keyboard has an Fn key, press and hold Fn while pressing the key to access the alternate commands.

The Print Screen key does not work

Try the following:

• The Print Screen key copies an image of the screen to the clipboard (not the printer). To use the image, start an application that uses graphics, such as Microsoft Paint, and use the Paste function.

• If your keyboard has an F Lock key, press it to toggle between Function key modes. On some keyboards, the Print Screen key only works if F Lock is on.

On some keyboards, My Favorites keys are alternate keys. Hidden extensions in Windows Explorer may interfere with the process of assigning a file or Web page to these keys. For information about turning off hidden file name extensions, see Windows Help.

The Sleep key puts the computer into power management mode (such as standby, suspend, or hibernation) only if the computer supports power management and has it enabled. If power management is not enabled, this key will not work. It cannot be reassigned. For information about Windows power management settings, see Windows Help.

I cannot wake up my computer after pressing the Sleep key

You may be able to resume operation by trying one of the following:

• Press the Sleep key.

• Press a standard key on the keyboard.

• Move the mouse.

• Quickly press the power button on the computer.
  
  If you cannot resume computer operation from any of these methods, you may have encountered a system problem. For more information about how your computer resumes operation, see the documentation that came with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.
  
  If you are using a Bluetooth® keyboard, the wireless transceiver might not receive key commands during hibernation. You may be able to resume from hibernation by pressing the power button on the computer. For information about Windows power management settings, see Windows Help.

I installed a new Web browser, but pressing the Home key does not start it

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software automatically assigns the Home key to the default Internet browser on your computer, if this browser is supported. Most browsers let you make them the default browser during installation.

If the browser you installed is supported by Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software and it does not start when you press the Home key, try the following:

• Press the Home key once and wait a few minutes. Then, press it again. When you install a new browser, the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software may need a few minutes to recognize it.

• Restart the computer, and then press the Home key.

• You may have to manually reassign the Home key to the browser you installed. Select the key you want to reassign, select Open a program, Web page, or file, select Not yet assigned, type the path to the Internet browser or select Browse to find it, and then select Back to save the change.

I installed a new e-mail program, but pressing the Mail key does not start it

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software automatically assigns the Mail key to the default e-mail program on your computer, if the e-mail program is supported.

The Reassign a Key wizard for the Mail key lists all the supported e-mail programs that are installed on your computer. If the e-mail program that you want to use with the Mail key is not available in the list, do the following:

• If you installed a new e-mail program, wait a few minutes to see if it is automatically added to the list. Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software may need a few minutes to recognize the new program and add it to the list. If the program does not appear after a few minutes, restart the computer and check again.

• If you have not used the e-mail program on this computer, start the program twice and log on to your e-mail service each time. This helps Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center detect the program.

• You may have to manually reassign the Mail key to the e-mail program you want to use. Select the key you want to reassign, click Open a program, Web page, or file, select Not yet assigned, type the path to the e-mail program or selecct Browse to find it, and then select Back to save the change.

• For some e-mail programs, you may have to update your settings so your e-mail password is saved. For more information, see your e-mail program documentation.

I installed a new media player, but pressing the Media key does not start it

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software automatically assigns the Media key to the default media player on your computer, if this media player is supported. Most media players let you make them the default media player during installation.

If the media player you installed is supported by Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software and it does not start when you press the Media key, try the following:

• Press the Media key once and wait a few minutes. Then, press it again. When you install a new media player, the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software may need a few minutes to recognize it.

• Restart the computer, and then press the Media key.

• You may have to manually reassign the Media key to the media player you installed. Select the key you want to reassign, select Open a program, Web page, or file, select Not yet assigned, type the path to the media player program or select Browse to find it, and then select Back to save the change.

When I press the Display key on my portable computer it causes zooming

On some portable computers, pressing the Display key may cause zooming instead. When this happens, press Ctrl and the minus key (-) to zoom out. You can also disable zooming in the Keyboard Properties dialog box.

My Favorites Hot Keys do not assign a file or Web page correctly when held down

Hidden extensions in Windows Explorer may interfere with assigning a file or Web page to My Favorites Hot Keys. For information about turning off hidden file name extensions, see Windows Help.

I am unable to record/run macros while playing an online game

Try the following:

• While playing online games, you may not be able to record or run macros. This is because the security programs you are running, for example, intrusion detection software, may prevent you from using in-game recording and playback.

• Unplug other USB devices that are not in use.

• Try the keyboard on another computer to verify it is working correctly.