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Razer Synapse Not Detecting Mouse or Keyboard? 6 Fixes

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Razer Synapse Not Detecting Mouse or Keyboard? 6 Fixes

If your Razer mouse or keyboard isn’t showing up in Razer Synapse, the fix usually involves reinstalling the driver, closing conflicting software, or repairing the Synapse installation itself. Below are six proven fixes, ordered from simplest to most involved, that resolve the vast majority of detection failures.

Why Does Synapse Fail to Detect Devices?

Razer Synapse is the configuration hub for Razer peripherals, storing macros, lighting profiles, and DPI settings. When a device doesn’t appear, it’s rarely a hardware fault. The most common causes are:

  • Stale or corrupted drivers – Windows may have installed a generic driver that Synapse can’t communicate with.
  • Synapse services not running – The background processes (Razer Central, Razer Synapse Service) may have crashed or been disabled.
  • USB power management – Windows can suspend power to USB ports, causing the device to drop out.
  • Software conflicts – Other peripheral managers (e.g., SteelSeries Engine, Logitech G HUB) or RGB control apps can interfere.
  • Outdated Synapse version – An old build may not support your device’s firmware.

Fix 1: Restart Synapse and Replug the Device

This sounds trivial, but it resolves many transient glitches. Close Synapse completely from the system tray (right-click the icon and choose Quit), then unplug your mouse or keyboard. Wait 10 seconds, plug it back into a different USB port (preferably a rear port on the motherboard), and relaunch Synapse. The device should appear within a few seconds. If it doesn’t, move on to the next fix.

Fix 2: Run Synapse as Administrator

Synapse sometimes needs elevated privileges to install its virtual drivers. Right-click the Synapse shortcut and select Run as administrator. If the device shows up, you can set it to always run this way:

  1. Right-click the Synapse desktop shortcut and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
  4. Click Apply and OK.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall the Device Driver

If Windows is using a generic HID driver, Synapse can’t recognize the device. To force a proper driver install:

  1. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it).
  2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices or Keyboards.
  3. Right-click your Razer device and choose Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software for this device if the option appears.
  4. Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
  5. Launch Synapse and check if the device is detected.

If the device still doesn’t appear, try downloading the latest driver from Razer’s official support page, but note that Synapse itself usually bundles the correct drivers – a manual driver download is rarely needed.

Fix 4: Disable USB Power Saving

Windows may cut power to USB ports to save energy, which can cause intermittent detection. To disable this:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. Right-click each USB Root Hub and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  5. Repeat for all root hubs and restart your PC.

This fix also helps if your device disconnects randomly during use.

Fix 5: Repair or Reinstall Synapse

If the above steps fail, the Synapse installation itself may be corrupted. Razer Synapse includes a repair tool:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon) in Synapse.
  2. Go to About and click Repair. Follow the prompts.
  3. If repair doesn’t help, uninstall Synapse completely via Apps & Features (Windows Settings).
  4. Download the latest version from Razer’s official website and reinstall.

After reinstalling, you’ll need to reconfigure your profiles and macros, so back up your settings via the cloud sync feature if you have an account.

Fix 6: Use the Razer Synapse Cleanup Tool

For persistent issues, Razer provides a dedicated cleanup tool that removes all traces of Synapse and its drivers. This is a more thorough uninstall that can clear registry entries that block detection. Download it from Razer’s support site, run it, restart your PC, and then install Synapse fresh. This should be your last resort before contacting support, as it wipes all settings.

When to Check Hardware

If none of the six fixes work, test your device on another computer. If it isn’t detected there either, the hardware may be faulty. Also check the cable and USB connector for damage. If the device works on another PC, the problem is specific to your system – consider checking for Windows updates or performing a clean boot to isolate software conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Razer mouse show up as “HID-compliant mouse� in Device Manager?

That’s normal – it means Windows is using its generic driver. Synapse should still detect the device if its own driver is installed. If it doesn’t, run Fix 3 to reinstall the Razer driver.

Does Synapse work with Razer keyboards and mice on Mac?

Razer Synapse is available for Windows and macOS, but not all devices are supported on Mac. Check the product page for your specific model to see if macOS is supported. If it is, the same fixes apply.

Can I use my Razer device without Synapse?

Yes, the device works as a standard mouse or keyboard, but you lose custom DPI, macros, and lighting effects. Some devices have on-board memory, so settings saved to the device persist even without Synapse.

Why does Synapse show my device as “disconnectedâ€� even though it’s plugged in?

This usually indicates a driver issue or a USB port problem. Try a different port, run Fix 3, and if the issue persists, try Fix 5.

Will reinstalling Synapse delete my profiles?

If you have a Razer account and have enabled cloud sync, your profiles are stored online and will be restored after reinstall. Otherwise, they are stored locally and will be lost.

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