Articles on: Settings & Accessibility

Mute Physical Mouse and Keyboard Input on Windows

Mute input can stop selected physical keyboard or mouse input from reaching Windows applications while PlayAbility sends the replacement action. It is opt-in, disabled by default, and available only on supported Windows systems.


Important: This feature uses a low-level input hook. Some games or anti-cheat software may treat input hooks as suspicious. Enable it only if you understand and accept that risk.


Before you enable muting


  1. Memorize the emergency shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F12.
  2. Close competitive or anti-cheat-protected games while configuring the feature.
  3. Prepare a safe application, such as an empty text document, for the first keyboard test.
  4. Make sure you can use another input to turn muting off if needed.


The emergency shortcut turns Mute input off everywhere while the hook is active.


Unlock the mute controls


  1. Open Settings → Advanced.
  2. Find the Mute input card.
  3. Turn on Allow OS-level mute input.
  4. Read the confirmation about low-level hooks and anti-cheat software.
  5. Select I understand, enable.


Unlocking the feature does not yet block anything. It makes Mute this input available in eligible mappings and exposes the main Mute input switch.


Choose which mappings to mute


  1. Open Mapping and select the profile you want to use.
  2. Edit a mapping with a physical Keyboard, Mouse, or Mouse Motion trigger.
  3. Turn on Mute this input below that trigger.
  4. Save the mapping.
  5. Repeat only for the physical inputs whose original action should be blocked.


Gamepad, face, head, voice, dwell, and cursor-stabilizer triggers cannot be muted at the operating-system level.


Review the blocked inputs


  1. Return to Settings → Advanced → Mute input.
  2. Review Inputs to mute (this profile).
  3. Confirm that every listed key, mouse button, mouse movement, or wheel input is intentional.


A muted Mouse Motion mapping blocks physical mouse movement while muting is active. A muted scroll trigger can block the mouse wheel.


Turn Mute input on


  1. In the Mute input card, select the Mute input off button so it changes to Mute input on.
  2. Alternatively, use the Mute input control in PlayAbility's right navigation area after the feature is unlocked.
  3. Test one configured input in the safe application.
  4. Confirm that the original input is blocked and the mapped PlayAbility output is sent.
  5. Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F12 once to confirm that the emergency shortcut turns muting off.


Repeat the final test before using the feature in a game.


Turn muting off


Use any of these methods:


  • Select Mute input on in Settings to turn it off.
  • Use the Mute input control in the right navigation area.
  • Open the system tray menu and select Disable input blocking.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F12 while the input hook is active.


Turning off Allow OS-level mute input also disables active muting.


Verify safe operation


  1. Turn muting on with only one test mapping configured.
  2. Confirm that the original physical input is blocked.
  3. Confirm that its remapped output activates and releases correctly.
  4. Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F12.
  5. Confirm that normal physical input returns before opening a game.


Troubleshooting


The Mute input section is missing


The feature appears only on Windows systems where OS-level input muting is supported.


Mute this input does not appear in a mapping


  • First enable Allow OS-level mute input under Settings → Advanced.
  • Use a physical Keyboard, Mouse, or Mouse Motion trigger.
  • The option is not available for other trigger types.


The original input still reaches the game


  • Confirm that Mute input is on, not merely unlocked.
  • Check that Mute this input is enabled on the active profile's mapping.
  • Review Inputs to mute (this profile).
  • Some applications use Raw Input or another input path that may bypass the hook.


The remapped action is also missing


  • Turn on Main Output and the required gamepad, keyboard, or mouse output.
  • Confirm that the correct profile is active.
  • Test the mapping with muting off first.


The pointer or keyboard feels stuck


Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F12 immediately. If PlayAbility is in the tray, use Disable input blocking from the tray menu.


Limitations and safety


  • This feature is Windows-only.
  • Raw Input and anti-cheat behavior varies by game.
  • Muting mouse motion affects the physical pointer while active; configure and test an emergency path first.
  • Use the smallest possible list of muted inputs.
  • Do not enable OS-level muting in an anti-cheat-protected game unless you accept the account and software risk.

Updated on: 29/07/2026