Usually, we do not see the mouse cursor moving randomly on the computer screen. However, when this happens, it makes the computer difficult to use, reduces productivity, and affects the gaming experience. To ensure that your cursor issue is resolved as soon as possible, we have compiled a list of the most effective solutions to stop the mouse cursor from moving by itself on Windows 10 and 11 PC.
before we begin
We recommend that you try some basic solutions before proceeding with advanced troubleshooting methods. Here are some of them:
- Make sure that there are no dust particles obstructing your mouse pad or sensor.
- Check the mouse for physical damage.
- Test your mouse on another PC or laptop.
- Check if the USB port is working properly. If not, switch to another port.
- Check the battery status of your wireless or Bluetooth mouse.
- Restart your Windows PC.
- Check if your PC is not being accessed remotely. Find apps or suspicious software like TeamViewer, Splashtop on your PC.
1. Turn off Internet connection
What if your computer has been hacked and that's why your mouse cursor is behaving strangely? If you suspect this is the case, try turning off the Internet on your Windows PC. After that, if your cursor starts functioning normally, check for malware, system logs, browser extensions, and network activity.
2. Have you checked your power source
If you plug your laptop charger into a poor power source such as a train outlet, a faulty UPS, or a damaged wall outlet, it may cause your mouse cursor to shake. Therefore, we recommend that you use your laptop unplugged. If this is not possible, try switching to a different wall outlet or use an extension cord for your laptop or PC.
Additionally, you should also ensure that the charging cable is not damaged or you are using an incompatible charger. As a result, the mouse cursor starts moving automatically.
3. Are you using a gaming controller?
We have seen on many occasions that when a gaming controller is connected to a PC, it sometimes functions as a mouse and keyboard. If the same thing happens to you, try disconnecting your controller from your computer.
Additionally, if you have the Steam app installed on your PC, it may cause your cursor to move automatically in Windows 11 or 10. You can follow the steps given below to fix the problem:
1. open Steam app, click steam menu In the upper left corner, select More Adjustment from the list.
2. Then, choose controller Options from the left pane and hit General controller settings button.
3. A new window will open and now unmarked Two settings – PlayStation Configuration Support And xbox configuration support,
4. Disable Touchpad
When using a laptop, you may inadvertently touch the touchpad while using the keyboard, which may cause random cursor movement on the screen. To work around this issue, disable the touchpad and use an external mouse. Here's how to do it:
1. Press Windows key + I to open Adjustment app and then proceed bluetooth and devices Adjustment.
2. On the right pane, select touchpad Option.
3. now all you have to do is Disable Touchpad,
Pro Tip: Some laptops have a dedicated key to easily disable the touchpad.
5. Update or uninstall the mouse driver
If the above methods don't work, you can try updating your mouse driver and see if that solves the problem. Here's how to do it:
1. right click on Start Press the button and select device Manager,
2. expand the Mice and other pointing devices And right-click on the concerned driver.
3. Now, choose either update driver Or uninstall device Option. If no updates are available, proceed with the Uninstall device option. After restarting your PC, Windows will perform a fresh installation of the mouse driver, which may potentially resolve the cursor issue.
6. Disconnect other interfering peripherals
If you have multiple wireless devices, they may interfere with each other, and your wireless or Bluetooth mouse is no exception. Examples of wireless devices that can cause interference include Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi routers, and cordless phones.
For example, many wireless mice and Wi-Fi routers use the 2.4 GHz frequency, which may cause your mouse to behave abnormally. To identify the culprit, try turning off the devices one by one while monitoring your mouse cursor. If found guilty, you can take appropriate action. If not, you can try the next troubleshooting method.
Another way that a device can interfere with the cursor is when you have multiple mice connected to your computer. Many users prefer a wireless mouse when doing productivity work and a gaming mouse when playing games. So if you belong to this group, make sure that only one mouse is in use.
7. Check your PC for any lurking malware
Your mouse cursor may also function erratically if your Windows system is infected with malware or hacked. To confirm this, disconnect your Internet and run a full PC scan with any of your favorite anti-malware software. we recommend Malwarebytes,
You can also try a free Windows built-in malware scanner to eliminate hidden viruses. Here's a guide on this:
1. Click Start press button and search windows security Application.
2. open Applicationgo to Virus and threat protectionand click scan options,
3. choose now full scan option and hit scan Now button.
If the main cause of your mouse cursor moving on its own is a virus, reputable anti-malware software should be able to detect and remove any known viruses from your system.
8. Go back to the stable version of Windows
We came across several reports online of users having issues with their mouse moving on its own. A common reason was to use an Insider build of Windows 11 or 10. If you are currently using Windows Insider, it would be advisable to roll back to the stable version of Windows and see if that resolves the issue.
If that doesn't work, your last resort would be to reset your Windows computer.
Is your mouse still not working?
Even after reaching this point, it can be frustrating if your problem is still not resolved. But what if the problem lies entirely with your mouse? Most of us opt for a cheap mouse which often does not have a long shelf life.
You can test your mouse by connecting it to another PC. If it is working normally, the problem is with your computer. If not, then it is time to buy a new mouse from a reputed brand like Logitech, Razer, Dell, HP etc. Also, after purchasing a new mouse, make sure to test it on multiple devices to make sure there are no glitches and that the mouse cursor works as intended.
