6 Ways to Fix Mouse Cursor Moving on Its Own in Windows

A C.A. by profession and a tech enthusiast by passion, Gaurav loves tinkering with new tech and gadgets. He used to build WordPress websites but gave it all up to develop little iOS games instead. Finally, he dropped out of CA to pursue his love for tech. He has over 5 years of experience as a writer covering Android, iOS, and Windows platforms and writes how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and explainers for B2B and B2C apps and services. He currently divides his time between Guiding Tech (writer) and Tech Wiser (editor).

Supreeth is passionate about technology and dedicates himself to helping people figure it out. An engineer by education, his understanding of the inner workings of all types of gadgets and devices ensures he provides top-notch guidance, tips, and recommendations to his readers. When away from the desk, you will find him traveling, playing FIFA, or hunting for a good movie.

Basic Fixes

Also Read:How to change mouse sensitivity (DPI) and other settings in Windows 11

Fix 1: Manage Mouse Drivers

An outdated version of the mouse driver might be vulnerable to a few issues and bugs. This may cause the mouse to drift on its own in your Windows PC.

Step 1:Open theDevice Managerapp.

Step 2:SelectMice and other pointing devicesandright-clickon your mouse toupdatethe driver.

Fix 2: Disable the Touchpad if You Are Using an External Mouse

At times, the touchpad can accumulate dirt inside its surface and malfunction. If you prefer using a mouse with your laptop, disable the touchpad. This can help you fix the issue and prevent ghost actions through your touchpad.

Step 1:OpenSettingsand search for the‘Turn the touchpad on or off’option. Click on thesearch resultto open it.

Step 2:Click on the toggle button toturn it off. Some laptops also have a dedicated key on their keyboard to quickly turn on/off the touchpad.

Fix 3: Disable Enhance Pointer Precision

Disabling “Enhance Pointer Precision” stops your PC from adjusting mouse sensitivity, preventing erratic cursor movements caused by the pointer acceleration.

Step 1:Open theSettingsapp on your Windows PC. Tap onBluetooth & Devicesand selectMouse.

Step 2:SelectAdditional Mouse Settings.

Step 3:Uncheck the box forEnhance pointer precisionand click onOK.

Fix 4: Boot PC in Safe Mode

Restarting your PC in safe mode turns off all the third-party applications and runs your PC with the essentials. If the mouse cursor stops moving on its own in safe mode, a third-party app may be causing the problem. Therefore, uninstall a few apps and check if the issue is fixed.

Fix 5: Run SFC Scan

You can run theSystem File Checkerusing Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files. This can potentially help you solve the issue of the erratic mouse cursor on Windows if any corrupted system file is the cause.

Step 1:OpenCommand Promptfrom the start menu.Right-clickand selectRun as administrator.

Step 2:Type the following command:

You can see the progress of the system scan as it begins. Once it is complete, you will see whether it was successful.

Fix 6: Run Hardware Troubleshooter

As the name suggests, Windows’ built-in troubleshooter will help you figure out the problem and suggest software fixes if you’ve accidentally changed the settings.

Step 1:OpenCommand Promptfrom the start menu.Right-clickand selectRun as administrator.

Step 2:Type the below command and hitEnter.

Step 3:That will launch a pop-up window. Click onNextto continue and let it run.

As a last resort, reset your Windows PC. This will remove any corrupted system files and fix misconfigurations within your system settings, which can help you fix the problem. However, it will remove all the installed applications, so proceed with relevant backups.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 14 May, 2024

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Name*

Email*

Comment*

Δ

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

More in Windows

5 Fixes For “Setup Incomplete Because of a Metered Connection” Error in Windows 11

Top 7 Ways to Fix Steam Not Recognizing Controller on Windows 11

JOIN THE NEWSLETTER

Get Guiding Tech articles delivered to your inbox.

© 2024 Guiding Tech Media. All Rights Reserved.