Mouse and keyboard not responding in WoW: fixing input

Section: Getting started & help 1 min read Vanilla 1.12.1 · x5 Updated 17.09.2026

Input "falls off" in different ways: the mouse won't turn the camera, keys don't press, the character won't move, buttons stick. The cause is almost always window focus, an add-on or keybinds, not broken hardware.

DevicesMouse and keyboard

SettingsKeybinds

DiagnosisFocus and drivers

Contents

Step 1: restore window focus
Step 2: check keybinds
Step 3: disable binder add-ons
Step 4: reset the bindings file
Step 5: drivers and device
See also

Step 1: restore window focus

If input dropped after minimizing or alt-tabbing — click the game window. Windows gave focus to another app. On multiple monitors in fullscreen this is common: switch to "windowed (fullscreen)" in graphics settings.

Step 2: check keybinds

Game Menu (Esc) → Key Bindings. Make sure movement (W/A/S/D or arrows) and camera turn (right mouse button) are assigned. The "Reset to Default" button restores the standard layout.

Step 3: disable binder add-ons

Key/mouse binder add-ons (Bartender, clickers) intercept input and sometimes break it. Disable add-ons — see add-on conflicts. If control returns, re-enable one at a time.

Step 4: reset the bindings file

Constantly dropping binds signal a corrupt file. Close the game and delete WTF\Account\<NAME>\bindings-cache.wtf (it rebuilds). Also delete the Cache folder.

Step 5: drivers and device

Reconnect the mouse/keyboard to a different USB port (not via a hub).
Update device drivers and software (Logitech, Razer, etc.) — macro profiles sometimes conflict with the game.
Test the device in another app — if it's dead there too, it's hardware, not WoW.

FAQ

Why does the keyboard work but the mouse won't turn the camera?

Likely the turn button is unbound or an add-on interferes. Make sure you hold the right mouse button to turn, and disable add-ons. Toggling windowed/fullscreen also helps.

Controls stop working after minimizing the game — what now?

The window lost focus. Click the game window. In fullscreen on multiple monitors this is common — try 'windowed (fullscreen)' mode.

All my keybinds reset — how do I restore them?

Open Game Menu → Key Bindings → 'Reset to Default'. If binds keep dropping, a binder add-on or a corrupt WTF file is to blame — delete bindings-cache.wtf.