---
title: Connect & Configure
slug: connect-and-configure-mk
description: This page explains how to properly connect and configure your mouse and keyboard for use with Cronus ZEN.
icon: 🔌
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-07-08T10:56:44.346Z
---

Here's how to get your mouse and keyboard working smoothly with Cronus Zen.

# Setup Overview

***

Follow these four simple steps to get your mouse and keyboard working with Cronus Zen:

- **Step 1:** Turn OFF GamePacks or Scripts
- **Step 2:** Connect the Devices *(MK Switch recommended)*
- **Step 3:** Open Zen Studio & Check Device Detection
- **Step 4:** Test Input Detection

# Step 1 

***

Before connecting anything, turn OFF GamePacks or Scripts.

Here’s how:

- Press the right blue **Memory Slot button** on the Cronus Zen
- Cycle through until the **Collective Minds Alien logo** appears on the OLED screen
- This means **no GamePacks or Scripts **are active

# Step 2

***

Connect the Devices (MK Switch Recommended) to your Cronus Zen. 

🔗 Connection Order

- Plug your **controller** into **Zen USB Port A1**
- Connect your **keyboard** to **Zen USB Port A2**
- Connect your **mouse** to **Zen USB Port A3**
- Connect the **PROG USB cable** from Cronus ZEN to your **PC**

:::hint{type="danger"}
⚠️ Once your main mouse and keyboard are connected to the **Cronus Zen**, they’ll function as a **controller**. You won’t be able to control your PC with them anymore, unless you **switch them back manually**.

That’s why you’ll need either a **second set** of mouse and keyboard, or a **MK Switch** to toggle between PC and Zen. 

If you don’t have a second keyboard/mouse for your PC, a **USB powered MK Switch** is a huge help. 
:::

# Step 3

***

Now that everything is connected, it’s time to check if Cronus Zen detects your mouse and keyboard correctly.

**Launch Zen Studio**

- Open **Zen Studio** on your PC
- Click on the **“Device” **tab

**Check Detected Devices**

- Look under the **Connected Devices** section
- Your mouse and keyboard should appear

:::hint{type="success"}
💡If your device shows up with a question mark, don’t worry, it still works.
That just means Zen Studio doesn’t have an icon for it.
:::

# Step 4

***

Time to test if the Cronus Zen is picking up the inputs from the Mouse and Keyboard.

**Open the Device Monitor **

- In **Zen Studio**, press **TOOLS **--> **Device Monitor**

**Test Your Mouse**

- Move your mouse, you should see **RX/RY values changing** in real time
- This confirms your mouse input is being read as right stick movement

**Test Your Keyboard**

- Press **W, A, S, D**, you should see **LX/LY values changing** in real time
- This confirms your keyboard input is being read as left stick movement
- Try other keys like **spacebar** to test additional mappings