How to Fix Cursor Blinking in Windows?

When the cursor in Windows starts blinking or flickering, it can make it hard to navigate and even stop basic actions like clicking icons. This issue often occurs when programs running in the background or system activities make the cursor switch quickly between the pointer and a loading symbol.

The most common cause is a conflicting background application, like Windows Explorer, or a driver issue with input devices. Other possible triggers include outdated drivers, hardware problems, or too many background tasks.

Now that you know the causes, lets discuss the solutions.

1. Restart Windows Explorer

If your cursor is flickering, try restarting Windows Explorer. It manages desktop elements like the taskbar, and restarting it can fix minor issues affecting the cursor without needing a full reboot.

1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer and choose End Task.

   

3. Go to the File menu and select New Task.

   

4. Type explorer.exe and click OK.

   

2. Update Mouse and Keyboard Drivers

Outdated or incompatible mouse and keyboard drivers can cause cursor flickering. Update them to fix this issue and improve device performance. Keeping drivers updated also prevents future problems from system changes.

1. Press Windows Logo key + R to open Run.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter for Device Manager.
3. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
4. Right-click each entry, select Update Driver.

   

5. Restart your computer to fix cursor flickering.

3. Video Driver Issues

Cursor flickering can be caused by outdated or corrupted video drivers. Updating or reinstalling them can fix this issue, especially after major system updates.

1. Press Windows Logo key + R to open Run.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to access Device Manager.
3. Expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers and Display adapters.
4. Right-click the video device, select Update, and repeat for Display adapters.

   

5. Restart your computer to fix cursor flickering.

4. Disable HP Simple Pass Feature

If your cursor flickers on an HP device, the HP Simple Pass feature might be causing it. This security software can interfere with how your system manages the mouse. Turning it off can help fix the flickering by reducing conflicts and making the system run better.

1. Open HP SimplePass.
2. Click the gear icon for Settings.
3. Under Personal settings, uncheck LaunchSite.

   

4. Click OK.

5. Disable Biometric Devices

Disabling biometric devices, like fingerprint scanners, can stop cursor flickering. These devices run background processes that might conflict with the mouse, causing it to blink. Turning them off can stop these conflicts and fix the cursor issue.

1. Press Windows Logo key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
3. Find and expand Biometric devices.
4. Right-click the biometric device and select Disable.

   

6. Disable Antivirus Software and Other Tips

Antivirus software can cause cursor blinking by interfering with system processes. Turn it off briefly to see if it’s the problem. These programs sometimes conflict with systems like Windows Explorer. Make sure to turn the antivirus back on after checking to keep your computer safe.

1. Antivirus software can also interfere with the driver software and cause the cursor to flicker. Check the manufacturer’s website as well as the antivirus website for information about product issues and troubleshooting.
2. Moreover, it is a good idea to scan your system for malware with an updated antivirus program.
3. If your computer is busy with many programs running or is actively saving files to the hard drive, or reading a CD or DVD, the cursor may flicker temporarily while the system is active.