Keyboard and Mouse Not Working in Windows Recovery? A Recent Update is the Likely Culprit
Imagine this scenario: Your PC is having serious problems, and you’ve done everything right. You grab the Windows Recovery USB drive you created for just such an emergency, boot from it, and arrive at the blue recovery screen. But when you try to click “Next” or use your keyboard to select a language, nothing happens. You’re stuck, with a completely unresponsive keyboard and mouse.
If this frustrating situation sounds familiar, you are not alone. A bug introduced in Microsoft’s recent security updates is preventing input devices from working within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
This issue stems directly from the October 2023 security updates. When a user creates a bootable recovery USB drive on a system that has these updates installed, the resulting recovery media may fail to load the necessary drivers for USB keyboards and mice.
The Core of the Problem
When you create a recovery drive, Windows copies the WinRE image (winre.wim) from your system to the USB. The October 2023 updates appear to have broken this process, failing to include essential drivers for generic USB input devices. The result is a recovery environment that boots successfully but cannot accept any user input, rendering it effectively useless.
The primary updates identified as causing this issue are:
- KB5031356 for Windows 10
- KB5031354 for Windows 11
This bug affects a wide range of systems, including Windows 11 (versions 22H2 and 21H2), Windows 10 (versions 22H2 and 21H2), and Windows Server 2022.
How to Fix the Windows Recovery Input Issue
While Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, a permanent patch has not yet been released. Fortunately, there are several effective workarounds you can use right now to regain access to your recovery tools.
1. Use an Older, Pre-Update Recovery Drive (The Easiest Fix)
If you have a Windows Recovery USB that you created before installing the October 2023 updates, it should work perfectly. This is the simplest solution. This situation highlights the importance of creating recovery media as soon as you set up a new computer and storing it in a safe place.
2. Create a New Recovery Drive on an Unpatched PC
If you don’t have an old recovery drive, you can create a new one on a different Windows computer that has not yet had the problematic October updates installed. Since the issue lies with the source PC’s recovery image, using a healthy, unpatched machine will generate a fully functional recovery USB.
3. The Technical Fix (For IT Pros and Advanced Users)
For those comfortable with the command line, Microsoft has provided an official, albeit complex, workaround. This process involves manually injecting the missing driver packages into the recovery image file (winre.wim) on your PC before creating the recovery drive.
The process involves these general steps:
- Running Command Prompt as an Administrator.
- Mounting the
winre.wimimage file using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool. - Manually adding the missing driver package (
WinPE-OC-Generic-USB-Driver.cab). - Unmounting the image and committing the changes.
After completing these steps, any new recovery drive you create from that machine will have the necessary USB drivers and function correctly. This is the most thorough fix but should only be attempted by users confident in their technical skills.
A Critical Security Tip: Always Test Your Recovery Media
This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all users: your backup and recovery tools are only useful if they work when you need them.
- Test Your Recovery Drive: After creating a recovery USB, don’t just store it away. Boot from it at least once to ensure it loads correctly and that your keyboard and mouse are responsive.
- Keep a Known-Good Copy: If you have a working recovery drive, label it clearly with the date and Windows version and keep it separate. Don’t overwrite it until you have fully tested a new one.
- Don’t Rely on a Single Solution: A recovery drive is just one tool. Regular system backups, like a full disk image, provide a more robust safety net for restoring your entire system.
While this bug is a significant inconvenience, the workarounds available should help you navigate any immediate system emergencies. It is expected that Microsoft will release a permanent fix in an upcoming monthly update. Until then, take a moment to check your recovery media and ensure you’re prepared.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-october-updates-break-usb-mice-and-keyboards-in-windows-recovery/
