Plug in mouse: How to Enable a Mouse for a Laptop | Small Business

Aug 31, 2023 alexxlab

How to Fix Mouse not working on Laptop?

If you use a mouse regularly you may have experienced situations whereby the device will refuse to function. This can lead to work frustrations especially if the device is crucial for work speed. You don’t have to discard that mouse of yours too quickly as the device may yet work. In this content, you will learn how to fix your mouse and get it working again.

Overview of the Error

This problem may arise due to the following issues

Computer frozen: if the Num lock key is active on your laptop keypad the mouse will not function. When this key is pressed repeatedly the Lock will constantly turn the keyboard on and off. If the indicator does not change your laptop will be frozen and all hardware will not function. To resolve this issue, reboot the Laptop and proceed to the next solution.

No Num Lock Key: Some keyboards do not have an LED and your keyboard is lacking, one just presses “Ctrl+Alt+Del” keys at once. This action will produce a blue Windows option on your screen. If your screen doesn’t display this feature, it means your system is frozen. Reboot your computer as we advised above to fix this problem.

Mouse Conflict: If you’ve recently installed new hardware, you may want to Uninstall it to see if the hardware is causing the issue.

Not Connected properly: If the mouse is not connected properly it will not work. There are two types of mice.

USB Mouse: If you use a USB Mouse disconnect the cable and reconnect it with another USB port. Avoid using a USB hub as the hub may lack sufficient power to make the connection.

Wireless Mouse: If it is a wireless mouse, make sure it is getting sufficient power. Check the power indicator regularly for power notification. This will appear in the form of light. Also, check the power switch to make sure it is on. If the mouse is on but still not working, try changing the batteries and ensure that the wireless receiver is not blocked by any object and is within range. Finally, if it still doesn’t work, disconnect the USB adapter and plug it into another port.

Mouse Conflict/ Driver Conflict

If the mouse is in Safe mode there may be driver conflict. Follow these stores to fix the problem.

Expand mouse option in Device Manager. To do this click the + symbol
Remove listed mice by highlighting every device one by one and then tap delete to remove them

If this doesn’t work run a Troubleshooter by following the steps provided by your Windows.

Outdated or Missing Drivers

To check for this go to Drive Manager to check if a driver has been installed for your mouse because the Windows default driver may not work for your mouse. Installing a specific driver that is compatible with the mouse may fix the problem. Check the list of the page to look for links of popular mouse manufacturers websites to download mouse drivers from. If you already have a driver for your mouse spec make sure you have the updated version. If not, download the latest update.

Hardware issues

If none of the above methods work try using another mouse to see if it will work. If the other mouse works, then try your main mouse with another PC. If it still doesn’t work the problem lies in the mouse port. Consider replacing it with another port. If they still don’t work it means the motherboard needs to be replaced.

Corrupt operating system files

If nothing you’ve tried works it may be that there is a corrupted system in your OS. If this is the case, repair it with a system installation disc.

Solution 1- Re-plug the USB Cable or USB receiver
Solution 2- Hardware solutions for wireless mouse only
Solution 3- Restart the Laptop
Solution 4- Troubleshoot
Solution 5- Update your mouse driver
Solution 6- Reinstall your mouse driver
Solution 7- Disable the Fast Startup Option

Here are some solutions for fixing a non-functional mouse.

Solution 1- Re-plug the USB Cable or USB receiver

If your wireless cable is not working make sure it is properly connected to your laptop. Try removing and re-plugging it again or try it with the other USB port.

Unplug the cable or receiver from the laptop port
Wait for a few minutes

Plugin the cable again and try to use the mouse to see if it works.

Solution 2- Hardware solutions for wireless mouse only

If you use a wireless mouse try these methods-

Remove the old batteries and replace them with new batteries. Now check if the mouse works. To check the battery status of your bluetooth mouse, open the Control Panel and go to Bluetooth.
Now check “Total Battery Power Remaining.” It will give you an idea when you need to change the batteries of the mouse.

Check if the wireless receiver of the mouse is within range. Make sure it is not blocked by many objects.
You can also try disconnecting the wireless USB adapter and try plugging it into a different port.

Also, it’s important that your wireless mouse is receiving power to work. You can check by seeing if the indicator light is on. If it is not receiving power, you can try moving the mouse around on the mousepad or can turn off and on the power switch of the mouse, which is often present on the bottom of it.

Solution 3- Restart the Laptop

Sometimes by just restarting your laptop issues may be addressed. If you’ve tried the two solutions mentioned above and it still doesn’t work, restart the laptop after unplugging the mouse. When the system turns back on, try plugging the mouse again.

Solution 4- Troubleshoot

You can also run the hardware troubleshooter if your laptop is not recognizing the mouse after plugging it in. To do so, go to the “Control Panel,” open “Troubleshooting” and select “Hardware and Devices” to run the troubleshooter. After the process is complete, restart your laptop and check if the mouse works.

Solution 5- Update your mouse driver

A mouse not working may be down to an outdated driver. Visit the manufacturer’s website and check for recent updates. Make sure you only choose drivers that are compatible with your mouse. There are two ways to update drivers.

Manual driver update

To follow this process through you have to visit the website of your mouse manufacturer to search for the correct driver that is compatible with your Windows. Once you find the right one, download the update.

Automatic driver update

If you can’t afford the time to perform a manual update you can do it automatically with a 3rd party Program. Such a program will scan the web and bring to light available drivers and will download and install them on your behalf.

Identifying why your mouse is not working on Laptop can be tasking but if you are patient enough to follow this process through you will certainly find a solution that will work for you from the list of solutions provided in this article. However, if these both don’t work, you might need to reinstall the drivers.

Solution 6- Reinstall your mouse driver

If your mouse is not working properly, you can try reinstalling the mouse drivers on your laptop through Device Manager. The mouse drivers are automatically installed through the Microsoft driver repository, and to do so, follow the below steps:

Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows button + X.
Select “Mice and other pointing devices” from the list of options and choose “HID-Compliant Mouse” and uninstall it.
Your laptop will ask your permission to restart. Give the permission. Your mouse driver will be installed and you can check your USB or wireless mouse.

Solution 7- Disable the Fast Startup Option

Fast startup can sometimes be one of the causes of the mouse not working on your laptop. So, to disable it, follow the below steps:

Press Windows + X and select Power Option.
Now click on “Choose what the power button does” and then “Change settings that are presentlyunavailable” Deselect the “Turn on fast startup” box
Save the changes. Now restraining your computer may take longer but will probably fix your mouse.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional general tips for making both USB and wireless mice work on your laptop.

Make sure if you’re using the mouse only on a smooth and flat surface. It’s better if you use a mousepad for a consistent work surface.

Check if there’s any hardware damage to the mouse. It may include a missing ball, cracked housing, failure of the optical sensor to glow, or sticky/silent clicking of the finger switches. In such a case it’s better to replace the mouse rather than repairing it, since most mouse hardware components are quite inexpensive as compared to other parts.

Since an external mouse works by transmitting wireless signals between a USB receiver of your laptop, it might be possible that the receiver is out of sync with the wireless mouse, causing it to stop working. So, you should consider resyncing the USB port with the mouse, which is fairly easy. Press the Connect button somewhere on the USB receiver and you will see a light flashing on the receiver. Then press the Connect button on the mouse. It will stop the flashing light on the USB receiver, implying that your receiver is now synced with the mouse.

How to Connect Your Computer’s Mouse, Keyboard and Printer

So, you have some new technology, and you’re ready to set it up. At first, properly connecting your computer’s mouse, keyboard and printer may seem like an overwhelming and complicated task, but it’s actually a lot easier than you might think. Regardless of what types of devices you have, most computer accessories are set up in similar ways.

If your mouse, keyboard and printer are still in their boxes, each one probably includes a how-to guide that outlined step-by-step instructions. That being said, some items don’t include guides, or they’ve been misplaced … luckily, you can still set up your computer’s accessories in a few easy steps, even if you don’t have the instructions.

If these tasks are too difficult then consider reaching out to HelpCloud Technician by-the-hour and we’ll get you setup and running!

Connecting Your Computer’s Mouse

When it comes to buying a mouse, you have to choose between wired and wireless options. Wired mice are often cheaper, their batteries do not die, and they’re very responsive. Although you’ll never have to search for batteries for a dead mouse, you will give up some desk space, as wired mouses are typically larger.

Wireless mice are simple and travel-friendly. There’s no cord to get tangled, and they’re generally very small in size. One downside is that they do have distance limits. Although some are effective when they’re up to 30 feet away from a computer, others experience issues when they’re about five or more feet away.

A) Connecting a Wired Mouse

Connecting your mouse to a PC, Mac or other computer isn’t overly complicated. The first step is to determine where you’d like your mouse to be placed. Think about the cord and make sure the placement is not near objects it can get stuck on. Once your mouse is in an acceptable place, you can start to connect it to your computer.

First things first, you’ll want to power down your computer. If you try to plug the mouse into one of your ports when the computer is on, damage might occur. To power down a desktop PC or laptop, click on your Windows button in the bottom left corner of your screen.

Next, click “Shut down.” A window may pop up and tell you that various programs need to close before you shut down your computer. Here, you have two options. If you were working on something and want to save your progress, click “Cancel” and save your necessary documents. You’ll then repeat the process above again to continue shutting down.

In the event you don’t need to save what you were working on, click “Force shut down.” When you do this, your computer will automatically close all of the programs it’s running. At this point, your PC should power down.

If you have a Mac desktop or laptop, click the “Apple” key in the top left-hand corner of your screen. A drop-down menu should populate, and you can then click “Shut Down…” When you do this, a pop-up box will ask you if you’d like to cancel or shut down.

Users who have unsaved data that might be deleted should hit cancel and save everything before proceeding. Once everything is secured, you can click the “Shut Down” option on the pop-up, or you can wait 60 seconds and the computer will turn off automatically.

Once your computer is powered off, you can connect your mouse. Most wired mouses are USB-based, meaning they must plug into a USB port on your computer. This type of port is the standard mouse connection option. When a USB device is connected to a USB port, it transfers digital data. The port will also provide your mouse with the electric power it needs to operate.

Visually

The square-shaped USB ports on your computer should say “USB,” or they can be identified with one of the symbols pictured below. Some computers have two or more types of USB ports, but each one will work for your mouse.

Softpedia News

Once you’ve identified a USB port, you’ll want to plug your USB mouse in. If it does not seem to fit, rotate the USB cable 180 degrees and try again. Once the fit is secure, you can power up your computer again and see if the mouse is working.

In the event you experience any trouble when you power up your computer, reach out to the computer support company My Fast PC for troubleshooting assistance.

B) Connecting a Wireless Receiver Mouse

There are a few types of wireless mouses on the market. One of the most popular options is a mouse with a wireless receiver. When you unpackage your mouse, look to see if a small plug comes with it. If so, you have a wireless mouse with a wireless receiver.

People with this type of technology should start by powering down their computer. Instructions on how to do so safely are outlined in section A above. Once your computer is turned off, you can plug the wireless receiver into one of your USB ports. How to identify a USB port is also covered in the section above. Once your receiver is plugged in, turn on your computer.

Next, you’ll want to see if your mouse needs batteries. Flip your mouse over to see if it has a tray on the back. You may need a screwdriver to open the tray, or you might be able to open its latch with your finger. If there’s a place for batteries, insert new batteries. If there is no battery tray, your mouse may require charging. If this is the case, it should have come with a charger and a charging port.

Once your mouse is charged or has batteries, it should start to function. A few mouses have “On/Off” switches, so if yours isn’t working, see if you can flip it into the “On” position.

Once your computer and your mouse are turned on, you’ll need to connect your mouse to your computer. A lot of mice come with “Connect” buttons, which will connect the two pieces of technology. In the event you can’t find this button, call 1-800-573-8028 for technical support.

C) Connecting a Bluetooth Mouse

Some wireless mice use Bluetooth to connect with a computer. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that connects a variety devices, from mobile phones to wireless speakers.

Windows users can connect via Bluetooth by clicking on their “Windows” menu in the bottom left of their screens. After the menu is open, click on the “Gear” menu, also known as “Settings.” Click on “Devices,” and then select “Bluetooth & other devices.”

Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on, and your PC should start to look for nearby Bluetooth devices. After a minute or so, your wireless mouse should come up in the list of “Ready to pair” devices, and you can click “Pair.” Once you complete these steps, your mouse should be working. Users who run into difficulty or have a different Windows version than Windows 10 can receive further steps from My Fast PC directly.

Winaero

Windows Central

Mac users with Bluetooth mice will start by pressing the “Apple” menu in the top left of their screens. Once the drop-down menu is open, click “System Preferences…” Find the “Bluetooth” icon and click on it one time.

A Bluetooth menu should open, and you’ll want to hit the “Turn Bluetooth On” option if it’s not on already selected. A list of devices will populate, and you’ll want to look for your mouse. Once you see it, select the “Pair” button that’s next to its name. As long as it’s turned on and its Bluetooth is enabled, it should connect within moments.

Wikipedia

Apple Support

Connecting Your Computer’s Keyboard

After you’ve read the section above, connecting your keyboard will be a breeze. Many keyboards are USB-based, so they attach to your computer the same way a wired mouse attaches. Make sure your computer is powered down, and plug your keyboard’s USB into a USB port on your computer. When you turn your computer on again, you should be able to use your keyboard.

People who have wireless keyboards will likely either use a receiver or Bluetooth to connect their devices. A keyboard’s receiver functions a lot like a mouse’s receiver. Plug your keyboard receiver into a USB port on your computer while it’s turned off.

You’ll also want to make sure your keyboard has the necessary batteries or charge it needs to function before you turn your computer on again. Once you’re sure the keyboard has power, turn on your computer. At this point, your receiver and keyboard should connect.

A Bluetooth keyboard will connect the same way as a wireless mouse. Once your computer’s Bluetooth menu is open, look for your keyboard in the device section. As soon as it populates, you’ll want to pair with it. In moments, a connection will be established, and you should be able to use your keyboard wirelessly.

Connecting Your Computer’s Printer

Last, but not least, you’ll want to connect a printer to your computer. If your computer has a wire, it’s likely a USB-based printer. Before you plug it in, place it down and make sure you like its position. Once it’s in an acceptable area, find its USB cord and plug it into your powered down computer. When you turn your computer on again, you should be able to use the printer.

To test the connection, open something you want to print. An easy way to do this is to open Microsoft Word or Pages for Mac and type “Test.” Next, click the “Office” button or “File” in the top left-hand corner of your screen. Click “Print” and make sure the “Printer” default is the new printer you’ve attached. Once you’re happy with your settings, select “Print,” and your printer should make a copy of the document.

Bluetooth printers are also common and should be connected in the same fashion as a Bluetooth mouse. Open your computer’s Bluetooth menu and search for available devices. As long as your printer has power and its Bluetooth is enabled, it should pop up with the option to pair. Pair your computer with your printer, and then print a document to make sure the connection is working properly.

A Word on Software

Depending on the mouse, keyboard or printer you own, your computer may need additional software to run the new technology. When this is the case, a CD is often included in the product’s packaging.

When you put the disk into your computer’s disk drive, a menu will likely come up and ask you if you want to install the new program. You’ll want to say yes and make sure the software is copied onto your computer. In the event you lose this disk or nothing happens when you put it into your computer, My Fast PC can help resolve your issue.

Wrapping Things Up

Computers offer a world of convenience, but their setup often seems anything but straightforward. Luckily, with the guide above, you can successfully connect three must-have accessories to your computer.

Using the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse

Microsoft accessories More…Less

The

Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse is the perfect mouse for precise scrolling and navigation. The compact design makes it easy to work on the go.

Requirements

You need a Windows 11 computer with Bluetooth 4. 0 or later to set up. This mouse supports the Quick Link feature in Windows 11.

What Bluetooth version is on my computer?

Mouse connection

Press the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the mouse to turn on the mouse. To turn off, press the button again.

Bluetooth mouse pairing

Turn on the mouse, and then follow the instructions to pair it with your computer.

Press and hold the pairing button on the bottom of the mouse until the light blinks (about five seconds).
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When a mouse notification appears on a Windows 11 computer, click Connect and wait for it to be configured.

Notification not displayed? Go to > Settings > > Bluetooth & > Add Device > Bluetooth > Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse > Done .

When the mouse is paired, the LED will stop flashing. The indicator will remain on until the mouse is turned off.

Battery information

Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse uses 1 AA. If you need to replace the battery, turn the mouse over, press the small tab to open the battery cover, and then replace the battery. To conserve battery power, press the Bluetooth button on the bottom to turn off the mouse when not in use.

Tip: To check the battery level at any time, select Search , enter Bluetooth and open Bluetooth & other devices. The battery level will be shown next to the mouse.

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center Download

To change the basic mouse settings, click Start > Settings > Bluetooth and Devices > Mouse .

If you want to change button functions, scroll options, and more, download the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. To download the app, see Download the Mouse and Keyboard Center app.

Windows Theme Packs

Complete the look and feel of Windows with exclusive theme packs with images perfectly coordinated with the Microsoft Bluetooth® Special Edition mouse. You can download them the first time you set up your mouse, or later by visiting the Microsoft Store page below.

Forest Camo Special Edition

Antapoly Camo Special Edition

Nightfall Camo Special Edition

The

Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse is the perfect mouse for precise scrolling and navigation. The compact design makes it easy to work on the go.

Requirements

You need a Windows 10 computer with Bluetooth 4.0 or later to set up. This mouse supports the Quick Link feature in Windows 10.

What Bluetooth version is on my computer?

Mouse connection

Press the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the mouse to turn on the mouse. To turn off, press the button again.

Bluetooth mouse pairing

Turn on the mouse, and then follow the instructions to pair it with your computer.

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Press and hold the pairing button on the bottom of the mouse until the indicator starts blinking (about five seconds).
When a mouse notification appears on a Windows 10 PC, click Connect and wait for it to be configured.

Notification not displayed? Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth > Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse > Done .

When the mouse is paired, the LED will stop flashing. The indicator will remain on until the mouse is turned off.

Battery details

Tip: To check your battery level at any time, type Bluetooth in the search bar and open Bluetooth settings & other devices. The battery level will be shown next to the mouse.

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center Download

To change basic mouse settings, select Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse .

If you want to change button functions, scroll options, and more, download the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. To download the app, see Download the Mouse and Keyboard Center app.

Windows Theme Packs

Forest Camo Special Edition

Antapoly Camo Special Edition

Nightfall Camo Special Edition

How to connect a wireless mouse to a laptop or computer?

I have been using exclusively wireless mice for a long time. They are very convenient to use with both a laptop and a desktop computer. I’ve changed about five already. True, I had to spend money on batteries, but I took the latest model with the ability to charge and am very pleased. Today’s article is not about my gadgets, but about how to connect a wireless mouse to a PC or Windows laptop. The connection process itself is not very complicated, but since people ask, it means that it is not always possible to connect. I will try to make a universal instruction that is suitable for different mice (Logitech, Rapoo, Trust, Microsoft, Maxxter, Defender, HP, A4Tech, Razer, Speedlink, etc.), with different connection interfaces. Wireless, of course.

The main wireless mice on the market today have the following wireless interfaces:

Radio interface (Wireless) are those mice that are connected via a special USB adapter (receiver). It comes with a mouse. The connection itself most often operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and often suffers from interference (from the same Wi-Fi routers). The connection is very simple: insert the receiver into the USB port of the computer / laptop, turn on the mouse and everything works. This is the most popular interface for connecting wireless manipulators.
Bluetooth – there are much fewer mice with this connection interest compared to the usual radio interface (which are with a receiver). Basically, these are more expensive models. They are very convenient to use with laptops, as they have a built-in Bluetooth module. And such a mouse is connected without a receiver. But for a PC, you will have to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Wireless + Bluetooth – this is when the mouse supports two connection options. Via a regular USB radio adapter and via Bluetooth (no adapter on laptops). By choice.

I think you know which connection interface your wireless mouse supports. If not, see the instructions and information on the official website.

We will separately consider the process of connecting via the radio interface (USB adapter) and separately via Bluetooth using the example of a laptop with Windows 10. There are differences. I have input when connected via Bluetooth.

Connect wireless radio mouse via USB adapter

If your mouse comes with a USB receiver, and this is the only connection interface (or Bluetooth is not / does not work on your computer), then you need to connect this receiver to the USB port of a laptop or desktop computer.

After connecting, Windows should install drivers. I have already connected many wireless mice, I have never encountered a problem when Windows cannot find or install the required driver. If it so happened that the system does not recognize the device, then you can try downloading the driver or software from the manufacturer’s website. We write in the search the name and model of our mouse. For example, “Logitech M185” and in the search results go to the official Logitech website. There we are already looking for a section with downloads and downloading the necessary driver. But you probably won’t have to do it.

Insert a battery into the mouse, or charge it and turn it on. Perhaps, after that, the indicator will light up (but it may not be).

After that, the mouse should immediately start working. If it turns out that after connecting the wireless mouse does not work, then the first thing:

Check that the battery is not dead (by replacing it) and that it is installed correctly.
Disconnect and reconnect the USB receiver.
Restart your computer.
You can go to the device manager and see if the adapter appears in the “HID Devices” section. If we connect the Logitech mouse adapter, then the “Logitech USB Input Device” adapter should appear there. The title may vary.
You can test the adapter and mouse on another computer/laptop. Perhaps you got married. This also happens.

In most cases, these devices connect and work without problems at all. Especially in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7.

Bluetooth wireless mouse connection (without receiver/adapter)

I want to clarify right away that connecting a mouse to a desktop computer without an adapter most likely will not work . Since the PC usually does not have a built-in Bluetooth module. Therefore, first we need to select a Bluetooth adapter for the computer, then connect and configure Bluetooth, and only after that we can connect a Bluetooth mouse according to the instructions. Or use the Wireless adapter that comes with the kit (if your model supports this interface).

It’s easier with laptops, they have built-in Bluetooth. True, it does not always work, because the necessary drivers are not installed. If your laptop does not have a Bluetooth icon in the tray and there is no adapter in the device manager, corresponding settings in the settings, then you must first configure and enable Bluetooth (for example, Windows 10). And this article has instructions for Windows 7.

To connect, right-click on the Bluetooth icon and select “Add Device”.

Turn on the mouse. Next, you need to activate the connection mode. There should be a button for that. On my mouse, it’s labeled “Connect”. You need to press it (maybe press and hold). The indicator should start flashing actively. The process of activating the connection mode, of course, may differ depending on the manufacturer and model of the mouse. See instructions.

On the computer, in the window that has already opened, select the “Add Bluetooth or other device” item. Then click on “Bluetooth”. When our mouse appears in the list, just click on it. In Windows 7, a window will immediately open that will display the devices available for connection.

A message should appear indicating that the device is ready for use.

The mouse should already be working. We press “Finish”. Connection completed.

In Windows 7, everything is about the same, only the windows themselves and menu items look different.

Tip! After connecting, I recommend downloading and installing the software from the website of your wireless mouse manufacturer. Or install it from disk, if available. For example, for Logitech mice – “Logitech Options”.

This is a program that can be used to set additional functions. For example, assign actions to additional buttons, adjust pointer speed, etc. It all depends on what kind of mouse you have. If the simplest, then you may not need this program.

If the computer does not find the Bluetooth mouse, first of all make sure that it is turned on and the connection mode is activated. Try connecting it to another device. You can even use your phone or tablet (on Android).

Auto disable touchpad after connecting wireless mouse

On laptops, everything can be configured in such a way that after connecting a mouse (wireless or wired), the touchpad will turn off automatically. And this is very convenient, because it only gets in the way. For example, when typing.

As far as I understand, this can only be done when the touchpad driver from the laptop manufacturer’s website is installed on your laptop. Checked on Lenovo, everything works.

Open Start (or search) and write “mouse”. Open “Mouse Options”.

Go to “Advanced mouse options”.

The new window should have an “ELAN” tab (you may have a different one). You need to go to it and check the box next to “Disable when connecting an external USB mouse.” Click “Apply”.

Everything is ready! Now the touchpad will not work when a mouse is connected.