Start by testing one input device at a time: check that it has power, connect it directly to the Batocera system, and try another USB port. If it works in Batocera’s menus but not in one game, the problem is more likely to be that game’s emulator or input configuration than a failed keyboard or mouse. Wireless devices and arcade encoders need a few extra checks.
First, narrow down where the input stops working
Note which device is affected, how it connects, and where it stops responding. Does the keyboard, mouse, or both fail? Is it wired USB, a wireless USB receiver, or Bluetooth? Does it fail throughout Batocera or only in one emulator or game? If the trouble began after changing hardware, settings, or Batocera versions, keep that in mind while testing.
Check that the device is charged or has fresh batteries, and test it on another computer if one is available. These are practical isolation checks, not special Batocera requirements. Changing one thing at a time makes it easier to tell whether the cause is the device, connection, or the game.
Check a wired USB device or wireless receiver
- Shut down Batocera safely before changing connected hardware.
- Connect just the keyboard or mouse directly to the system, without a hub, and try a different USB port.
- Temporarily unplug unnecessary USB accessories and test again.
- If you have a wireless USB model, leave its receiver connected and check the device’s batteries or charge.
Batocera’s System Troubleshooting guidance recommends unplugging external USB devices, including USB mice and keyboards, as an isolation step. If the device starts working after you change ports or disconnect other peripherals, investigate that port, hub, power, or another connected device before changing software settings.
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A basic wired USB keyboard can be a useful optional test if you have no spare input device. It removes wireless pairing and radio issues from the test, but cannot fix a bad port or prove that a particular device is compatible.
Troubleshoot wireless and Bluetooth devices
Wireless devices can fail because of low power, a missing or unrecognized receiver, pairing state, interference, or Bluetooth-adapter issues. A proprietary wireless receiver and a Bluetooth connection are different paths: follow the device’s instructions to put it in pairing mode only if it actually uses Bluetooth.
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For Bluetooth keyboards or mice
- In Batocera, open the controller and Bluetooth settings and choose Pair a Bluetooth Device. Batocera’s menu documentation says this option pairs with the first Bluetooth device it detects in pairing mode, so put the intended keyboard or mouse into pairing mode before starting.
- If pairing fails, check
system/batocera.confand confirm thatcontrollers.bluetooth.enabled=1is present and not commented out. Batocera describes this setting in its Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance. - Clear remembered Bluetooth devices before retrying, reduce nearby wireless interference, and avoid using onboard and USB Bluetooth interfaces at the same time.
- If you use a USB Bluetooth adapter, try a USB 2.0 port if one is available. Batocera notes that some adapters can have issues on USB 3.0 ports.
These are Batocera’s general Bluetooth troubleshooting suggestions; a particular keyboard or mouse may use a different pairing or receiver process.
If it works in Batocera but not in a game
Input detection and game support are separate layers. Batocera’s input documentation explains that Linux input events handle keyboards and mice, but a game or emulator may not support or be configured to use them in the way you expect. A device that works in menus is not necessarily supported by every game.
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First identify the emulator and game, then check that system’s input settings and whether the game accepts keyboard or mouse input. If you have SSH access and are comfortable with command-line diagnosis, Batocera’s input diagnosis guide describes evtest for inspecting low-level Linux input events, including keyboard and mouse events.
The same guide documents sdl2-jstest for testing joystick behavior at the SDL/EmulationStation layer. It is a controller diagnostic, not a keyboard or mouse test.
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Special case: arcade encoders and virtual controllers
This applies to arcade control panels, not an ordinary keyboard used to navigate Batocera. Some arcade encoders send keyboard key events even when a game expects a gamepad. In that case, the encoder may be detected correctly while the game still receives no usable controller input.
Batocera’s DIY arcade controls guide describes keyboardToPads, which converts supported keyboard-style encoders into virtual controllers. Built-in device configurations can be searched with keyboardToPads --search. After configuring the encoder, unplug and reconnect it as the guide directs, then configure the virtual controller in EmulationStation. The virtual pad must be mapped there to work in an emulator.
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Special case: arcade trackballs and spinners
Batocera treats arcade trackballs and spinners as mouse devices. Its arcade controls guide notes a RetroArch issue in which mouse IDs can be assigned unpredictably across boots. A setup that relies on a particular mouse index can then stop working or control the wrong device. This is a multi-device arcade configuration issue, not a typical explanation for a standard desktop mouse failing everywhere.
For a regular mouse, check first whether pointer movement works in Batocera and then inspect the target emulator’s mouse or input settings.
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