Start with the simplest checks: test the keyboard or mouse by itself, try a different USB port, and check whether it works in Batocera’s menus as well as in the specific game or emulator. If it is wireless, also check its power, receiver or Bluetooth pairing. These steps help identify whether the problem is the device, its connection, or application support before you change settings.
First identify where the input stops working
Check whether the keyboard, mouse, or both are affected, and whether each device is wired USB, uses a wireless USB receiver, or connects over Bluetooth. Note whether the problem occurs throughout Batocera or only in one emulator or game, and whether it began after a hardware, configuration, or version change.
Confirm that the device has power and, if possible, test it on another computer. These are practical isolation checks, not a Batocera-specific diagnostic requirement. If you have a spare, test one input device at a time so another peripheral does not complicate the result.
Check a wired device or USB receiver
- Shut Batocera down safely before changing connected hardware.
- Connect one keyboard or mouse directly to the machine, rather than through a hub, and try another USB port.
- Unplug unnecessary external USB devices temporarily, then test again. Batocera’s Wiki recommends this isolation step and explicitly includes USB mice and keyboards in its System Troubleshooting guidance.
- Reconnect other devices one at a time if the input starts working. This can help identify a problematic port, hub, power issue, or competing peripheral.
A spare basic wired USB keyboard can be useful if you have no other way to test a keyboard input path. It is only a diagnostic option: it will not fix a bad port or guarantee that the original hardware is faulty.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Ergonomic Design, Enhanced Typing Experience】Improve your typing experience with our computer keyboard featuring an ergonomic 7-degree input angle and a scientifically designed stepped key layout. The integrated wrist rests maintain a natural hand position, reducing hand fatigue. Constructed with durable ABS plastic keycaps and a robust metal base, this keyboard offers superior tactile feedback and long-lasting durability.
- 【15-Zone Rainbow Backlit Keyboard】Customize your PC gaming keyboard with 7 illumination modes and 4 brightness levels. Even in low light, easily identify keys for enhanced typing accuracy and efficiency. Choose from 15 RGB color modes to set the perfect ambiance for your typing adventure. After 30 minutes of inactivity, the keyboard will turn off the backlight and enter sleep mode. Press any key or "Fn+PgDn" to wake up the buttons and backlight.
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Check wireless power, receiver, and Bluetooth pairing
Wireless devices have additional possible failure points. Check the battery or charge, confirm that a proprietary wireless model’s receiver is plugged in, and use the device’s documented pairing mode. A USB receiver is not the same connection type as Bluetooth, so follow the procedure for the device you actually have.
For a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse
- Open Batocera’s controller and Bluetooth settings and select Pair a Bluetooth Device. Batocera’s menu documentation says this option pairs with the first Bluetooth device it detects in pairing mode, so make sure the intended device is discoverable.
- If pairing fails, check that Bluetooth is enabled in
system/batocera.conf. Batocera’s general Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance sayscontrollers.bluetooth.enabled=1should be present and not commented out. - Clear remembered Bluetooth devices before retrying a failed pairing, and reduce nearby wireless interference.
- If the machine has both onboard Bluetooth and a USB Bluetooth adapter, avoid running both interfaces simultaneously. If an adapter is plugged into a USB 3.0 port, try a USB 2.0 port if one is available; Batocera notes that some adapters can have issues on USB 3.0.
These are general Bluetooth troubleshooting suggestions, and connection behavior can vary by device and interface.
Rank #2
- 【65% Compact Design】GEODMAER Wired gaming keyboard compact mini design, save space on the desktop, novel black & silver gray keycap color matching, separate arrow keys, No numpad, both gaming and office, easy to carry size can be easily put into the backpack
- 【Wired Connection】Gaming Keybaord connects via a detachable Type-C cable to provide a stable, constant connection and ultra-low input latency, and the keyboard's 26 keys no-conflict, with FN+Win lockable win keys to prevent accidental touches
- 【Strong Working Life】Wired gaming keyboard has more than 10,000,000+ keystrokes lifespan, each key over UV to prevent fading, has 11 media buttons, 65% small size but fully functional, free up desktop space and increase efficiency
- 【LED Backlit Keyboard】GEODMAER Wired Gaming Keyboard using the new two-color injection molding key caps, characters transparent luminous, in the dark can also clearly see each key, through the light key can be OF/OFF Backlit, FN + light key can switch backlit mode, always bright / breathing mode, FN + ↑ / ↓ adjust the brightness increase / decrease, FN + ← / → adjust the breathing frequency slow / fast
- 【Ergonomics & Mechanical Feel Keyboard】The ergonomically designed keycap height maintains the comfort for long time use, protects the wrist, and the mechanical feeling brought by the imitation mechanical technology when using it, an excellent mechanical feeling that can be enjoyed without the high price, and also a quiet membrane gaming keyboard
If it works in Batocera but not in one game
When keyboard input or pointer movement works in Batocera’s interface but fails in a particular game, the device is not necessarily defective. Input support and configuration vary by emulator and game. Identify the affected system and emulator, then check that application’s input settings and whether it supports the kind of input you are using.
Batocera’s input documentation explains that Linux input events handle keyboards, mice, and other peripherals. For advanced diagnosis, its joystick diagnosis guide describes evtest for inspecting low-level Linux input events. That guide’s sdl2-jstest instructions are for joystick behavior at the SDL/EmulationStation layer; do not use that tool as a keyboard or mouse test.
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- 【Dreamy Rainbow Gaming Keyboard】K521 Gaming Keyboard Adopts a Different LED Backlight Design, Upgraded on the Traditional LED Backlight Effect, Making the Light More Penetrating, Giving You a More Dazzling Visual Effect, Making Your Gaming Process More Enjoyable
- 【One Touch Opens & Visual Feast】The K521 Red Dragon Keyboard has a One-Touch on/off Lighting Button for Added Convenience. It also has a Three-Position Adjustable Breathing Mode and a Four-Position Adjustable Brightness Lighting Mode
- 【Mechanical Feeling & Fast Tapping】The PC Keyboard Keys are Designed for Mechanical Feeling, Giving You a Better Feel During Use and the Ability to Trigger Keys Quickly, Allowing You to Win All Your Games
- 【19 Keys Anti-Ghosting Keyboard】Anti-Ghosting Ensures Every Button Can Be Triggered. This Allows You to Trigger Key Combinations In The Game Accurately, And Each Skill Can Be Accurately Released to Increase Your Winning Rate. Redragon K521 Will Be Your Perfect Partner
- 【12 Multimedia Combination Keys】The K521 Wired Gaming Keyboard is Equipped with 12 Multimedia Keys That Can Greatly Enhance Your Gaming/Office Efficiency and Make It More Convenient to Use
Special case: arcade encoders that appear as keyboards
Some arcade control encoders send keyboard key events even though a game or system expects a gamepad. This is different from an ordinary keyboard that you use to navigate Batocera.
Batocera documents keyboardToPads for converting certain supported keyboard-style encoders into virtual controllers. Advanced users can check available built-in device configurations with keyboardToPads --search. After configuring the encoder, unplug and reconnect it as the documentation directs, then map the virtual controller in EmulationStation. The virtual pad must be configured there to work in an emulator. See Batocera’s DIY arcade controls documentation for the procedure.
Rank #4
- Personalize 5 customizable lighting zones with over 16.8M colors to match your setup or game and synchronize backlit lighting effects with other Logitech G devices using Logitech G Hub
- G213 Prodigy is a full-sized keyboard designed for gaming and productivity, with a slim body built for gamers of all levels and durable construction to repel liquids, crumbs, and dirt for easy cleanup
- Each key is tuned to enhance the tactile experience, delivering ultra-quick, responsive feedback while the anti-ghosting gaming matrix is tuned for optimal gaming performance, keeping you in control
- G213 gaming keyboard features dedicated media controls that can play, pause, and mute music and videos instantly; easily adjust the volume or skip to the next song with the touch of a button
- Customize lighting, game mode, and macro programming with Logitech G HUB software and stay comfortable during long gaming sessions thanks to an integrated palm rest and adjustable keyboard feet
Special case: trackballs and spinners
Batocera’s arcade documentation treats trackballs and spinners as mouse devices. In multi-device arcade setups, a RetroArch issue can cause mouse IDs to be assigned unpredictably across boots, disrupting configurations that depend on a particular mouse index. This issue is specific to that kind of setup, not a general explanation for a standard mouse failing. For an ordinary mouse, establish whether pointer movement is detected and check the target emulator’s mouse and input settings.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brilliant Color Illumination- With 11 unique backlights, choose the perfect ambiance for any mood. Adjust light speed and brightness among 5 levels for a comfortable environment, day or night. The double injection ABS keycaps ensure clear backlight and precise typing. From late-night tasks to immersive gaming, our mechanical keyboard enhances every experience
- Support Macro Editing: The K671 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard can be macro editing, you can remap the keys function, set shortcuts, or combine multiple key functions in one key to get more efficient work and gaming. The LED Backlit Effects also can be adjusted by the software（note: the color can not be changed）
- Hot-swappable Linear Red Switch- Our K671 gaming keyboard features red switch, which requires less force to press down and the keys feel smoother and easier to use. It's best for rpgs and mmo, imo games. You will get 4 spare switches and two red keycaps to exchange the key switch when it does not work.
- Full keys Anti-ghosting- All keys can work simultaneously, easily complete any combining functions without conflicting keys. 12 multimedia key shortcuts allow you to quickly access to calculator/media/volume control/email
- Professional After-Sales Service- We provide every Redragon customer with 24-Month Warranty , Please feel free to contact us when you meet any problem. We will spare no effort to provide the best service to every customer
Choose the next check based on the connection
| Situation | What to test next | What the result helps distinguish |
|---|---|---|
| Wired USB device | Test it alone, directly connected, in another USB port. | Whether the port, hub, or another attached peripheral may be involved. |
| Wireless USB receiver | Check device power and receiver connection; try another port. | Whether the receiver path or power is the likely point of failure. |
| Bluetooth device | Check pairing mode, Bluetooth enablement, remembered devices, and adapter setup. | Whether the problem is pairing, radio interference, or Bluetooth-interface configuration. |
| Works in menus, fails in one game | Check that game’s emulator input support and configuration. | Whether the issue is specific to application behavior rather than basic device detection. |
| Arcade encoder recognized as a keyboard | Check whether the game expects a controller; consider the documented keyboardToPads route. |
Whether the game needs a virtual gamepad instead of keyboard events. |
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