18 Things to Try When Your Mouse Freezes in Windows 10
Besides putting a jacket on it
Do you encounter frequent pauses and freezes with the mouse cursor in Windows 10? Multiple reasons, such as conflicting settings, corrupt drivers, and malicious software, can cause that to happen.
So the next time your mouse freezes or otherwise starts acting up in Windows 10, here are 18 things you can try to get it functioning correctly again.
Before You Start
If the mouse cursor completely freezes, you can use the following keys to interact with the operating system:
TabandShift+Tab:Switch between on-screen elements.
Up/Down/Left/Right Arrows: Move between on-screen elements and expand items within lists.
EnterandSpace: Select (left-click) on-screen elements.
ApplicationandCtrl+Shift+F10: Reveal contextual (right-click) actions.
You’ll also find additional keyboard shortcuts for specific actions as you work your way through the list below.
1. Switch Windows Using Alt-Tab
If your mouse freezes in Windows 10 within a specific program, then switching to another open application via the Task Switcher (pressAlt+Tab) or bringing up the desktop (Windows+D) just might help fix that.
Update orreinstall the programif the cursor-related issues start to recur.
2. Restart File Explorer
Restarting File Explorer is another quick way to fix a frozen or jerky mouse cursor in Windows 10.
Start by pressingShift+Ctrl+Escto bring up the Task Manager. Then, selectMore details, right-click the process labeledWindows Explorer, and selectRestart.
3. Exit Resource Consuming Processes
Resource-intensive processes can also cause the mouse cursor to freeze or behave erratically. The best way to check that is toopen the Task Managerand look underneath theProcessestab for high CPU and disk usage.
You can always end a process by right-clicking and selectingEnd task. But if it’s related to a critical task (such as an application update or an anti-malware scan), you should wait it out.
4. Restart Computer
Memory leaks, rogue processes, and various other issues can crop up randomly in Windows 10. The easiest way to fix that is to perform a quick restart. So if you haven’t already, try doing it now.
In case your computer appears completely unresponsive, you might want toperform a hard reset instead.
5. Disconnect & Reconnect Mouse
Disconnecting and reconnecting your mouse can also fix odd cursor-related issues on your PC.
Simply take out the USB cable or wireless receiver, restart your computer, and reconnect it. If the mouse continues to freeze, move on with the rest of the fixes.
6. Clean the Mouse
If you’ve used your mouse for some time, the optical sensor underneath can end up getting coated in dust and grime. Unsurprisingly, that can prevent it from registering movements correctly.
Using compressed air or a damp alcohol-soaked cotton swab should help you clean it quickly.
7. Recharge the Batteries
A wireless or Bluetooth mouse that’s about to run out of battery can also stutter and pause in Windows 10. Check if recharging or swapping out its batteries can end up making a difference.
8. Change USB Ports
Switching USB ports can also help rectify issues on USB devices. Furthermore, it’s best to avoid external USB hubs and connect your mouse directly to ensure that it receives adequate power.
Disconnecting and moving around other USB peripherals—such as your keyboard—to different ports on the PC might also end up resolving the problem.
9. Disable Power Saving for USB Ports
Your PC may attempt to conserve power by shutting down power to USB ports. You can stop that by tweaking the operating system’s power management settings.
PressWindows+Rto open the Run box. Then, typedevmgmt.mscand selectOKto bring up the Device Manager. Next, expand theUniversal Serial Bus controllerscategory, right-click an instance ofUSB Root Hub, and selectProperties.
Under thePower Managementtab, uncheck the box next toAllow the computer to turn off this deviceto save powerand selectOK. Follow that by repeating the action for other instances ofUSB Root Hub.
10. Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Windows 10’s Hardware and Devices troubleshooter helps fix severe mouse-related issues. You can access it using Windows PowerShell.
Start by pressingWindows+X. Then, selectWindows PowerShell, and follow that by copying and pasting the command below:
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Once the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter finishes loading, work your way through any onscreen instructions to resolve issues with your mouse.
11. Reinstall Device Drivers
You’ve gone through lots of quick fixes. If your mouse still keeps freezing, it’s now time to rule out corruption issues with any mouse drivers by reinstalling them.
To do that, open the Device Manager, expandMice and other pointing devices, right-clickHID-compliant mouse,and selectUninstall device. Then, repeat for all instances ofHID-compliant mice.
Follow that by restarting your computer, and Windows should reinstall the mouse drivers automatically.
It’s also a good idea to follow up by installing any support software or dedicated drivers for your mouse from the manufacturer’s website.
12. Disable Enhance Pointer Precision
Windows 10 features a setting called Enhance Pointer Precision that acts as a form of mouse acceleration. But it can produce inconsistent behavior with specific mice types, so you should try disabling it.
To do that, pressWindows+Ito open theSettingsapp. Then, selectDevices>Mouse>Additional mouse options. Under thePointer Optionstab, uncheck the box next toEnhance pointer precisionand selectApplyto save your changes.
13. Update Hardware Drivers
Obsolete or buggy display drivers can result in significant performance issues and cause the mouse to freeze. You try fixing that by obtaining the latest drivers from the device manufacturer’s website—NVIDIA,AMD,Intel, etc.
Additionally, you must apply any other hardware-related driver updates to resolve conflicts between the various devices on your PC. The fastest way to do that is by using a driver updater tool.
14. Update Windows 10
Updating Windows 10 can resolve known bugs and driver incompatibilities preventing your mouse from working correctly.
So if you haven’t updated the operating system in a while, open theSettingsapp and go toUpdate & Security>Windows Update. Then, selectCheck for Updatesand follow that by selectingDownload and install.
15. Scan for Malware
Computer viruses and malicious software usually result in severe performance issues and erratic cursor behavior. You can use Windows 10’s built-inWindows Securityapplet to perform a scan of your computer for trojans, worms, keyloggers, etc.
However, you should also follow up by running a dedicated malware remover such asMalwarebytesto find andremove hidden forms of malware.
16. Disable Fast Startup
Windows 10 uses a feature called Fast Startup to improve boot times by saving the system state whenever you perform a shutdown. However, that can also result in weird glitches and anomalies on different PC builds. So try disabling it.
To do that, pressWindows+Xand selectPower Options>Additional power settings>Choose what the power button does. Follow that by unchecking the box next toTurn on fast startup (recommended).
17. Run SFC Scan
Running theSystem File Checkerhelps fix severe stability issues in Windows 10. If your mouse freezes completely, you should try running it.
To do that, pressWindows+X, selectWindows PowerShell (Admin)and run the command below.
sfc/ scannow
Note:If you have trouble interacting with the operating system, try running an SFC scan afterbooting Windows 10 in Safe Mode.
18. Run DISM Scan
It’s generally best practice to follow an SFC scan by running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool (DISM). That should help fix additional stability issues in Windows 10. Run three commands below in an elevated Windows PowerShell console:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
No More Weird Pauses and Freezes
The pointers above should’ve helped you fix issues with your mouse freezing in Windows 10. But if none of them helped, you must check if the same thing occurs after connecting it to another PC.
If it does, it’s safe to assume that you’re dealing with a defective mouse. So send it back for a replacement ortreat yourself to a new mouse.
Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio
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