# DirectInput ignores keys, because a window that is not foreground cannot acquire the device

## Symptoms

Keys or the mouse do nothing in the game, though the window shows. `WINEDEBUG=+dinput` reports
that the window is not foreground. Calls may return `DIERR_NOTACQUIRED` or `DIERR_INPUTLOST`.

## Cause

A DirectInput device set to foreground cooperation (`DISCL_FOREGROUND`) can be acquired only
while its window is the foreground window. A window started from a script, or behind another
program, is not.

## What to do

Bring the game's window to the foreground before you send input. Then wait a moment, so the
game can acquire the device again. Inside Wine, a helper that brings the window forward and
then sends input with `SendInput` does both ([input inside Wine](https://tanepiper.github.io/game-frame/knowhow/wine-input-without-accessibility.md)).
In POD this helped only in part (*observed*).