You are typing away on your document when all of a sudden your mouse pointer goes crazy. Worse, it moves your mouse cursor to a different part of the document. It causes you to retype and delete the errors made.
Such situations have been a frustration for years now. Interestingly, some tweaks might help you out in such a case.
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How to Fix Mouse Moving on Windows 10 PC
A mouse moving on its own is quite rare in desktop computers. It is because of the separate mouse peripheral like a wireless mouse. However, it does not mean that it will not happen. While it is easier to avoid accidental movement of the mouse pointer, there are cases when the cursor moves on its own.
First, check your hardware. Check the cables, connections, and even the mouse itself. It will be a waste of time to go through all the troubleshooting steps if the culprit is a faulty mouse. Breaks in the wire can cause issues with the signal sent to the computer. USB or PS/2 connections may also cause the mouse to freeze or move on its own if they are not connected properly.
Additionally, if you are using a wireless mouse, check if there aren’t too many obstacles between the mouse and its dongle. While rare, strong electromagnetic signals may affect mouse communication with the computer. Also, check if the battery is attached correctly. Better yet, replace the battery altogether.
Lastly, if possible, connect the mouse to another computer. It is recommended to use a new mouse if the problem persists.
In some cases, the mouse driver may not be installed correctly causing the mouse moving on its own problem. Some may be outdated or incompatible with more modern systems. Windows 10 upgrades may also cause certain types of mice to function erratically.
It is best to update your mouse driver right away. First, press the Windows button and R. On the Run dialog box, type “devmgmt.msc” Hit Enter.
This command will launch your Device Manager. On the Device Manager, look for Mice and other pointing devices. Expand it by clicking on the arrow sign.
Here, you can see all installed and connected mice and pointing devices. If you see a yellow exclamation mark, you need to re-install the driver. Right-click on the device and select Update Driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the installation processes if there are any. You may need to restart the computer for the update to take effect.
If Windows fails to find a suitable drive, you will need to navigate to your mouse’s manufacturer’s website. Typically, there are available drivers for their devices. Download the appropriate mouse driver for your device.
Follow the same steps above. However, instead of choosing Search automatically for updated driver software, choose to Browse my computer for driver software. Choose the mouse driver which you downloaded. Follow any installation prompts.
A virus or malware can also be the culprit of a mouse moving on its own problem. Open your primary anti-virus utility and run a full scan. It may take a while, but it is highly recommended to examine your system thoroughly.
Additionally, install and run an anti-malware program such as MalwareFox. This specialized application protects your computer from various threats that may have more harmful effects. Run a deep scan and delete any threats found.
How to Fix Mouse Moving on Windows 10 Laptops
Issues with moving mouse pointers are much more familiar with laptops. The position and size of the touchpad sometimes cause accidental contact with the thumb or the palm. It is especially frustrating if you are not a touch typist. Every time any of your hands crosses slightly to the opposite side, you are more likely to brush with the touchpad. Here are a few tips to avoid or fix mouse moving on its own.
You can change the sensitivity of the touchpad on Windows 10. It avoids any mouse reactions to light brushes of skin on the touchpad. The setting can be configured from the Control Panel and also from the Windows Settings app.
Press the Windows button and search for “mouse.” Click on the Mouse & touchpad settings on the results.
It will open the device window. It should default to the Mouse & touchpad tab. Under Touchpad, adjust the delay to Medium. You can choose Long delay or Short delay if the Medium is still too sensitive.
In some cases, to fix the mouse moving on its own you may just want to disable the touchpad altogether. Some users prefer the heavy use of the keyboard and shortcuts. They only use the touchpad if they need to move around objects or click on links.
For most laptops, there’s a touchpad icon in the notification area. Typically, it resembles a gray square or a square icon. Right-click on it and find the function to disable the touchpad. The interface varies with each laptop.
Additionally, look for any shortcuts on the keyboard that may also disable the touchpad.
You can use touchpad utility tools if you don’t want to disable the touchpad every time you have to type manually. Download tools such as TouchFreeze or Touchpad Pal. These utilities live in your notification area for easy access. They are small enough to allow them to run on startup.
TouchFreeze and Touchpad Pal will automatically disable your mouse pad once you start typing on your keyboard. These are nifty utility tools especially if you still accidentally move the mouse after the adjustments made in the previous tip.
Take note of your machine’s safety and security before downloading similar tools. We recommend that you run your anti-virus and anti-malware first even before installing such programs.
These applications are obscure enough to avoid general security examinations. They might contain malware, spyware, or adware, which can do more harm to your computer.
Final Thoughts
The frustrating problem of a mouse moving on its own may be mundane at first look. However, it can affect your workflow in the long run. The repeated correction while you type accumulates into precious minutes. Additionally, some laptop designs may force your hands into uncomfortable positions just to avoid the touchpad. It may even cause wrist issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome which will need a severe operation later on.
Further Reading
How to Use Two Keyboard and Mice on One Computer
Fix: Windows 10 Black Screen With Cursor
Allan Jay is a web developer who loves to read and watch tech reviews, especially cutting-edge technologies. He likes exploring and taking photos of the places he visited.
