PowerWash Simulator 2 – How to Fix Mouse Not Working
If your mouse freezes on the license or startup screen in PowerWash Simulator 2, don’t panic — here’s the quick fix that gets you back to cleaning in seconds.
Sometimes, after launching PowerWash Simulator 2, the mouse cursor stops responding on the license acceptance screen, preventing you from starting the game. This bug has carried over from the first game, but now it behaves slightly differently. Let’s fix it fast.
Who This Fix Is For
- Players whose mouse freezes on the startup/license screen.
- Those who have controllers, steering wheels, or flight sticks connected.
- Anyone who played PowerWash Simulator 1 and remembers the same issue.
The Issue Explained
When PowerWash Simulator 2 starts, it automatically prioritizes the first detected input device. If a game controller, racing wheel, or joystick is active, it can override your mouse input, causing the cursor to freeze on the menu.
This bug is especially common with setups that include:
- Racing wheels (Moza, Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec)
- Gamepads or controllers (Xbox, DualSense, etc.)
- HOTAS or flight sim gear
Step-by-Step Fix
Step 1: Turn Off All Controllers
Before launching the game:
- Disconnect or power off all external controllers, racing wheels, or joysticks.
- If they have their own power source (like a Moza or Logitech base), switch them off completely.
Step 2: Restart the Game
- Relaunch PowerWash Simulator 2.
- When the license screen appears, your mouse should now move normally.
Step 3: Accept the License Screen
- Click the “Accept” button using your mouse.
- Once you reach the main menu, you can safely reconnect your controller if you need it later.
Alternative Method (If You Don’t Want to Unplug Hardware)
If your controller setup is hard to unplug:
- Use Device Manager to temporarily disable the controller.
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Human Interface Devices.
- Right-click your controller device (or wheel) and choose Disable device.
- Launch the game, then re-enable it afterward.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Fix | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse frozen on startup | Turn off all controllers | 30 sec |
| Still frozen after restart | Disable device via Device Manager | 1 min |
| Cursor laggy mid-game | Disconnect controller cable | 10 sec |
Why It Happens
PowerWash Simulator 2 uses a shared input detection layer similar to Unity-based input systems. When multiple HID (Human Interface Device) controllers are active, it can misinterpret which input device to read first — freezing the cursor if it chooses a controller with no UI input mapping.
Pro Tips
- Turn off racing wheels before launching. Moza and Logitech wheels are common culprits.
- Avoid multiple input devices connected at once — the demo version handled this better, but the full release has the older detection behavior.
- If you use Steam Input, disable it for this game:
- Right-click PowerWash Simulator 2 in your Steam library → Properties → Controller → Set to “Disable Steam Input.”
Summary
If your mouse doesn’t move on the PowerWash Simulator 2 startup screen:
- Turn off all connected controllers, wheels, or gamepads.
- Restart the game and accept the license screen.
- Reconnect controllers only after reaching the main menu.
Simple, fast, and 100% working — thanks to the player “Eric the Geezer,” who confirmed the fix with his Moza wheel setup.
You can switch between modes anytime by typing the mode name (e.g., Article Mode, Blog Article + Image Mode, Custom Mode, Multilingual Mode).