When the Printer Is Turned on the Mouse and Keyboard Stop Working

Identifying the cause of a problem involving a printer, mouse and keyboard together can be difficult, as so many different factors are involved. The most likely explanation will depend on your particular setup. You may need to experiment with several different possible solutions.

If switching on your printer immediately switches off other devices, power may be the issue. Although printers rarely, if ever, derive their power from a USB connection, rather than a power outlet, it is possible that your computer's data connection with the printer may split the power output of your USB ports and leave too little power available to your keyboard and mouse, which are powered via the USB connection. To test whether or not this is the case, try different combinations. Plug your devices into different USB ports, for example, at the back and front of the computer. Make sure the keyboard and mouse are not using the same USB hub as the printer.

If your printer, keyboard and mouse all use a wireless connection, they could be interfering with one another. In theory, this shouldn't happen as, even if both or all devices are using the same method of wireless communication -- such as Bluetooth or radio frequency -- they should use different frequencies to avoid conflict, but it can happen. Switching off your mouse and keyboard and switching them back on should force them to re-connect to your computer using a "free" frequency that isn't affected by the printer.

Another possibility is a conflict between the drivers for the different devices. A driver is a small piece of software that helps a hardware device communicate with the operating system. Checking that you have the latest edition of the driver for your keyboard, mouse and printer may eliminate such conflicts. One way to do so is to visit the website of the device manufacturer and look in the support section. Another way is to open the Device Manager tool in Windows: In Windows 8, press "Windows-X" to open the Power User Menu, then click on the "Device Manager" shortcut. Double-click on one of your devices to open its Properties windows, click on the "Driver" tab, then click "Update Driver," if the option is available. If it isn't, you have the latest version of the driver.

If you have checked the power, wireless and driver issues and the problem remains unresolved, reinstalling your devices may solve the problem. Remove the mouse or keyboard from Device Manager. Uninstall any related software from your computer. Disconnect the mouse or keyboard, if they are wired models. Now make sure your printer is switched on. Reconnect your mouse or keyboard and install them as if you were using them for the first time, including installing any software that came with the device. This should force your computer to reinstall the device in a way that avoids the conflict.