Why Does My Mouse Keep Freezing? 15 Easy Fixes

When it comes to solving issues like a freezing cursor, it’s important not to overlook even the most unlikely causes. Hardware problems, such as faulty or loose cables, battery issues, or wireless connectivity problems, are often culprits. Similarly, a few common software causes include outdated drivers, malware infections, or Windows update problems.

With that said, we have gathered a range of solutions that can help you address the problem from every angle so that you can fix it for good.

1. Enable Touchpad — For Laptop Users Only

Before we dive into the general methods to fix a freezing mouse, our first step is specifically for laptop users as it involves checking their touchpad’s settings. If you normally use the built-in touchpad to navigate but it randomly starts freezing or stops working, chances are you might have accidentally disabled it.

Generally, the key combinations to disable/enable the touchpad are Fn + F8 (F5, F7, or F9), and it’s quite common to accidentally hit one of those. If the keyboard shortcuts aren’t working, you can also manually enable the touchpad by heading to the Touchpad Settings from the Windows search menu. Simply enable the toggle button, and your touchpad should start working again.

2. Restart Your PC

With the touchpad-specific solution addressed, it’s time to explore the troubleshooting steps for fixing freezing issues with an external mouse. First and foremost, give your computer a quick restart. While restarting might not seem related to a mouse issue, it can often resolve such problems. Therefore, restarting is a highly recommended first step when troubleshooting any issues.

3. Check Cable Connections

The next basic step is ensuring that your USB cable or USB dongle is properly seated into the USB port on your computer. Try unplugging the cable or the dongle and plugging them back in to ensure a secure and firm connection. Be sure to do this gently and avoid forcing them into the port, as that could cause additional problems.

If the cable connections aren’t loose, try a different USB port to ensure that the port you are using isn’t broken or malfunctioning, as that could cause connection issues.

4. Look for Physical Damage

While diagnosing the connections, examine your mouse cable for any wear and tear. If you find any damage, especially near the ends of the mouse, it could be a major reason for your mouse freezing. If that’s the case, consider replacing your current mouse, as that would solve the problem immediately.

5. Check Wireless Mouse Battery

If you own a Bluetooth mouse and are experiencing cursor freezes, low battery levels might be the cause. A wireless mouse with low battery levels can malfunction and cause such issues, so ensure that your mouse isn’t low on charge. Similarly, if your mouse uses batteries, try replacing them with fresh ones, as they can deplete over time, and see if that solves the issue.

6. Make Sure Your Mouse Is Within Range

Wireless mouse users should also ensure that their mouse is at an optimal distance from their computer. Wireless mice rely on Bluetooth signals, so it’s best to keep them as close to the source as possible to avoid performance issues. Try moving closer to your computer, or in some cases, ensure that no physical obstructions or electronic signals are interfering with the Bluetooth signals.

7. Clean the Mouse and the Mouse Pad

Keeping your peripherals clean is the best way to ensure their longevity. When it comes to cleaning a mouse, the most important part is the sensor, as that’s what guides the cursor. Use compressed air and a clean cotton swab to gently clean the bottom surface of your mouse to remove any dirt and debris.

While you’re at it, consider cleaning your mousepad by washing it thoroughly. A dirty mousepad can accumulate dust around your mouse skates and sensor, which can ultimately lead to issues like a freezing cursor.

8. Incompatible Mouse Drivers

Since drivers allow your devices to communicate properly, any small issues with them can cause problems with how your mouse operates. Although Windows automatically updates drivers, sometimes it may not install the most optimal drivers or find suitable updates. Fortunately, you can manually address driver-related problems.

↪ Update Mouse Drivers

The first step is to check for any pending driver updates that can be installed, as outdated drivers are a common cause of freezing issues. Here’s how to update mouse drivers:

1. Open Device Manager through the Windows Search bar or by pressing the “Windows button + X” and selecting Device Manager.
   

   

2. Double-click on “Mice and other pointing devices” to open a drop-down list of your mouse drivers.
   

   

3. Select “HID-compliant mouse” and right-click on it. Click on Update driver from the menu.
   

   

4. This will open another menu. Select the “Search automatically for drivers” option. If updates are available, follow the on-screen instructions to install them.
   

   

↪ Reinstall Mouse Drivers

Uninstalling drivers can sometimes prompt Windows to automatically reinstall them, potentially downloading newer versions from online sources. For this, follow the same steps as above but select “Uninstall device” when you right-click on your mouse driver. Next, restart your computer, and Windows should reinstall the uninstalled drivers.

↪ Roll Back Mouse Drivers

To troubleshoot mouse issues, you can also roll back your drivers to a previous version to see if the problem persists. If your mouse recently started freezing despite no prior issues, an update might be the culprit. In such cases, reverting to a previous driver version that was stable for you could help diagnose and potentially resolve the issue. Here’s how to roll back mouse drivers:

1. Open Device Manager and right-click on your mouse drivers. From the menu, click on Properties. 
   

   

2. Navigate to the Driver tab and select the “Roll Back Driver” option. Hit the OK button, and your mouse drivers should revert to a previous version.
   

   

One thing to remember here is that the rollback driver option will only be available if you have previously updated the driver. If Windows indicates during the update process that your drivers are already up-to-date, the rollback option will be grayed out for you.

9. Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

The Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, exclusive to Windows 10, is a utility designed to identify and address potential issues with the hardware components installed on your computer. With this method, if there is an issue with your mouse, the troubleshooter should be able to point it out and help you fix it. To run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Start by pressing “Win + R” to open up a small dialogue box. 
   

   

2. Type “msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic” and hit Enter. 
   

   

3. This will open the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter. Click on the Next button to see if there are any issues with your installed hardware or your mouse.
   

   

10. Scan for Virus and Malware

While it’s not common for small malware and viruses to directly affect hardware issues, it’s best to run a quick scan just to make sure everything is good. To run a virus and malware scan, follow these steps:

1. Open up the Windows Search bar and type in Windows Security. 
   

   

2. Select the “Virus and Threat Protection” option.
   

   

3. Click on the Quick Scan button under “Current Threats“. 
   

   

4. Windows will start checking your files for any malware or viruses. If it detects anything that needs action, make sure to remove it. 

11. Turn Off Power Saving for USB Ports

Power-saving settings are typically associated with laptops to extend battery life, but they are also beneficial for computers as they help reduce energy consumption, manage heat, and prolong component lifespan. However, power-saving settings can cause USB ports to turn off when not in use to save power. To fix that, you can disable power-saving settings for USB ports by following these steps:

1. Open up Device Manager and look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option, usually located at the bottom. 
   

   

2. Double-click on it to reveal a list of all USB hub devices. From this list, right-click on “USB Root Hub” and select Properties.
   

   

3. In the properties menu, navigate to the “Power Management” tab. Uncheck the box next to “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” and hit OK to finalize.
   

   

12. Disable Enhance Pointer Precision

Enhance Pointer Precision adjusts your mouse sensitivity based on the speed of your mouse movements. As strange as this might sound, disabling enhance pointer precision can be a good solution to fix a freezing mouse. Here’s a quick rundown on disabling Enhance Pointer Precision:

1. Search for the Control Panel in the Windows Search bar. 
   

   

2. Once it opens up, head to the search option and type “Mouse“.
   

   

3. Click on Mouse settings to open a menu box.
   

   

4. Go to the “Pointer Options” tab and uncheck the box next to “Enhance pointer precision“. Lastly, press the OK button, and you’re good to go.
   

   

13. Disable Inactive Windows Scrolling

Inactive Windows Scrolling is a feature that allows you to scroll on an inactive window as long as your mouse pointer hovers over it. However, inactive windows scrolling can be a potential cause of your mouse freezing. To disable inactive windows scrolling, open Windows Mouse settings and toggle off the button under “Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them“.

14. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a built-in feature designed to help your PC boot more quickly. While it can save time, it can sometimes prevent Windows from booting up properly, causing hardware and compatibility issues.

Since Fast Startup is a combination of a cold shutdown and hibernation, it can cause devices that don’t support sleep or hibernation mode to take a while to wake up and start functioning normally. Here’s a quick rundown on disabling Fast Startup:

1. Open up the Control Panel and search for Power Options.
   

   

2. Click on the first result to open a detailed view. 
   

   

3. Select the “Choose what the power button does” button from the sidebar.
   

   

4. Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable“. Scroll down and uncheck the Turn on fast startup option. Finally, hit the Save Changes button, and that’s pretty much it.
   

   

15. Check for Windows Updates

Updating your Windows can be a good way to eliminate any underlying bugs and issues. Additionally, sometimes, older versions of Windows might not work well with your mouse drivers, leading to freezing issues.

To update your Windows, go to Settings, then click on Windows Update and select Check for Updates. If updates are available, choose Download & Install to update your computer.

Without a properly functioning mouse, your productivity can significantly decrease. Dealing with random issues like your mouse freezing can be frustrating, but we hope one of the solutions mentioned above has resolved the issue for you.