My Mouse Is Acting Up! 8 Easy Fixes for a Frozen or Glitchy Cursor

It’s one of the most annoying moments in computing: you move your hand, but the little arrow on the screen stays frozen. Or worse, it starts jumping around like it’s had too much caffeine.

Whether your mouse is completely "dead" or just being difficult, you don't always need to buy a new one. Often, the fix is sitting right in front of you. Here are 8 simple ways to get your cursor back under control.

1. The Surface Check (For Optical Mice)

Most modern mice use a tiny light (a laser or LED) to track movement. If you are using your mouse on a glass table, a highly reflective surface, or a very dark desk, the sensor can get "confused."

The Fix: Try using a mousepad or even a plain piece of white paper. If the cursor starts moving normally, you just need a better surface!

2. Clean the "Eye" of the Mouse

Flip your mouse over. See that little hole with the light? Even a single hair or a tiny spec of dust stuck in there can make your cursor jump or freeze.

The Fix: Use a can of compressed air or a dry Q-tip to gently clear out any debris. While you're at it, wipe the "feet" (the smooth pads on the bottom) to make sure it glides smoothly.

3. Check the Connection (Wired)

If you have a wired mouse, the USB port might have simply "gone to sleep" or lost its connection.

The Fix: Unplug the mouse and plug it into a different USB port. If you’re using a desktop, try the ports on the back of the computer—they are often more reliable than the ones on the front.

4. The Battery & Dongle (Wireless)

Wireless mice are convenient until they run out of juice.

The Battery: Swap in fresh batteries, even if you think the current ones are fine.
The Dongle: That tiny USB receiver can sometimes overheat or get interference. Unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in.
Pro Tip: Make sure the dongle is "line of sight" to the mouse. If it's plugged into the back of a metal computer case, the signal might be blocked.

5. Re-Pair Bluetooth Settings

Using a Bluetooth mouse without a dongle? Sometimes the "handshake" between your computer and the mouse gets broken.

Windows: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Remove your mouse from the list and "Add Device" to pair it again.
Mac: Go to System Settings > Bluetooth, click the "i" next to your mouse, select Forget This Device, and then reconnect.

6. Check for the "Touchpad Lock" (Laptop Users)

Did you know many laptops have a "panic button" that disables the mouse touchpad? You might have hit it by accident while typing.

The Fix: Look at the top row of your keyboard (the F-keys). Look for an icon that looks like a small touchpad with a line through it. Press that key (you might need to hold the Fn key at the same time) to turn the touchpad back on.

7. Update or Reinstall the Driver

If the software that runs your mouse is glitchy, the hardware won't work.

Windows: Right-click the Start button > Device Manager. Find "Mice and other pointing devices," right-click your mouse, and select Uninstall device.
The Magic Part: Unplug your mouse and plug it back in (or restart). Windows will automatically "see" the mouse and install a fresh, clean driver for it.

8. Adjust Pointer Speed

Is your mouse working, but it feels "heavy" or way too fast?

Windows: Search for "Mouse Settings" in the Start menu and adjust the Pointer Speed slider.
Mac: Go to System Settings > Mouse and adjust the Tracking Speed.

Is it actually a hardware "death"?

If you've tried all the above and the mouse still doesn't work on any computer, it might be time for a replacement. The good news? A basic, reliable mouse is one of the most affordable computer parts you can buy!