How to Fix Mouse Cursor Jumping

Stop erratic mouse cursor movement with these proven fixes. Clean your mouse, update drivers, adjust sensitivity settings, and troubleshoot hardware issues.

1. Clean the mouse sensor and surface. Turn off your mouse and clean the optical sensor on the bottom with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Remove dust, hair, and debris from around the sensor. Clean your mouse pad or desk surface with a damp cloth to remove oils and particles that interfere with tracking.
2. Update or reinstall mouse drivers. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager. Expand Mice and other pointing devices, right-click your mouse, and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If updating fails, right-click the mouse again and select Uninstall device, then restart your computer to reinstall default drivers.
3. Adjust mouse sensitivity and acceleration. Go to Settings > Devices > Mouse (Windows 10) or Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse (Windows 11). Set the cursor speed slider to the middle position. Click Additional mouse options, then the Pointer Options tab. Uncheck Enhance pointer precision to disable mouse acceleration. Apply the changes and test cursor movement.
4. Check for wireless interference. If using a wireless mouse, move the USB receiver closer to the mouse or use a USB extension cable to position it within 6 inches of the mouse. Remove other wireless devices like phones, tablets, or wireless keyboards from the immediate area. Replace the batteries if they are low.
5. Test with a different mouse. Connect a different mouse to your computer to determine if the issue is hardware-specific. If the new mouse works normally, your original mouse needs replacement. If both mice exhibit jumping behavior, the problem lies in your computer's USB ports, drivers, or system configuration.
6. Disable conflicting software. Close mouse enhancement software, gaming utilities, and touchpad drivers that might interfere with cursor movement. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and end processes for mouse software you do not need. Restart your computer to ensure all conflicting services are stopped.
7. Reset Windows mouse settings. Press Windows + R, type main.cpl, and press Enter to open Mouse Properties. Click the Pointer Options tab and click Use Default to reset all pointer settings. Go to the Hardware tab, select your mouse, and click Properties, then Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if available. Restart your computer to apply changes.