It can be difficult to operate your PC if your mouse suddenly freezes. While there are shortcuts you can use to navigate around your PC, you should try to figure out the cause and fix it. So, what are the common causes of a mouse freezing on a PC?
Software-related problems like conflicting settings, outdated drivers, or corrupted files are the most common causes of mouse freezing. Sometimes, the problem can be hardware-related, such as a faulty connection, low battery, or damaged mouse.
Rebooting your computer when the mouse freezes is a quick fix that could resolve the issues in most cases. If this doesn’t fix the problem, keep reading to learn other tricks you can try to fix the issue of a frozen mouse.
Reasons a Mouse Freezes and How To Fix Them
If your mouse freezes, it could be a result of many reasons. Below are the top ten common reasons for mice freezing and how to fix them.
Reason #1: Faulty Cable Connection
One basic thing when your mouse freezes is to check for a faulty connection to your computer. If you are using a wired mouse, check to ensure you plug the mouse properly into the USB port. Also, try using a different USB port, as a faulty one can cause your cursor to freeze or lag.
Reason #2: Low Batteries
If you are using a wireless mouse, then it works with a battery, be it rechargeable or non-rechargeable. When the battery is low, you should replace it or change it; else, it will cause your cursor to freeze or lag. If you have been using the mouse for a long time, the battery should be one of the first things you check when it freezes.
Reason #3: Mouse Distance
If you are using a wireless mouse, ensure it is within the recommended distance of the receiver. If the mouse is too far, the connection may break, thus causing your mouse to stop responding. Most wireless mice have a maximum effective distance of 9 m or 30 feet.
Note that sometimes you may be within the workable range of your mouse, but because of obstacles like walls may affect the broadcast causing your mouse to lag. If you are using a cheap mouse, your mouse may not function in this range due to the inferior materials used in producing it. So, ensure that there are no obstacles between the mouse and the computer.
Reason #4: Dirty Mouse Pad
If your mouse pad is dirty or made of glossy material, it will not work perfectly, thus causing it to lag or freeze on your monitor. To fix this, you should clean your mouse pad or use a different mouse pad.
You can also clean the surface of the mouse and the laser light under it with a lint-free cloth. Because if there is dust on your mouse’s laser, it can also cause problems.
Reason #5: Faulty Mouse
If your mouse is faulty or some other hardware on your computer, it could be why it freezes. You can confirm any defective hardware on your PC, and you should troubleshoot the hardware if there is any issue.
To troubleshoot your computer for faulty hardware or device, open the Control Panel and type “Troubleshooting” in the search bar. Select “Troubleshooting” from the result and tap on “Hardware and Sound” from the options. Click on “Next” and wait for your computer to complete scanning.
Reason #6: Interference
Interference can also cause your mouse to freeze or lag. If you are using a wireless mouse, this interference could be caused by other devices transmitting on the same frequency. This device can be anything from your smartphone, radio, TV, etc.
A wired mouse can also be affected by electrical interference. To fix the issue of inference, turn off or place other electronic devices at a far distance from your PC. In the case of a wired mouse, plug your PC into another power outlet or remove other devices connected to the mouse.
Reason #7: Outdated Mouse Driver
The computer uses drivers to communicate with hardware devices. However, if these drivers become outdated, it could cause issues. As in the case of the mouse, if outdated could cause it to lag. There are different ways you can update the driver of your mice, like using Windows Device Manager or other third-party apps like Driver Pack.
To update your driver with the Windows device manager, press Win + X and type “Device Manager” in the search icon. In the Device Manager, stroll to “Mice and other pointing devices”; right-click on it and select “Update Driver Software”. Select “Automatically Update Driver Software”, and your device will download and install the specific driver that is needed.
Reason #8: Malware
Malware can also cause your mouse to freeze. Thankfully, most Windows computers come with an effective anti-virus. You should scan for a virus to ensure the malware or virus doesn’t end up breaking your computer.
To scan your Windows PC, hit the Windows key and type “Windows Security”. Tap on the app on the result page and in the “Virus & Threat Protection” tab, tap on “Quick Scan” to scan for viruses. If there are any viruses or malware on your PC, this scan will point them out.
Reason #9: Mouse Pointer Precision
If the mouse pointer precision is enabled on some PCs, it may cause the mouse to freeze and lag. While this may sound strange, considering the opposite is supposed to be the case. You should turn off the mouse pointer precision; it might fix the issue. To disable mouse pointer precision, open the Control Panel and type “Change Mouse Settings” in the search bar.
Click “Change Mouse Settings” and select the “Pointer Options” tab. In the “Motion” box, you should see an option that says “Enhance Pointer Precision”; uncheck the box, click on “Apply”, and then “OK” to save the changes. Reboot your laptop, and this should fix the issue.
Reason #10: Corrupted Files
Corrupt and missing files can cause your mouse to freeze. If you suspect corrupt files are why your mouse freezes, run SFC (system files checker), check for the corrupt or missing files, and replace them with the correct ones. To run SFC, open the Command Prompt as admin and enter the code SFC /scannow.
If SFC doesn’t work, run DISM on your PC Command Prompt. The DISM command scans your PC for corrupt and broken system files and installs new ones and other optional components.
To run DISM, open the Command Prompt as admin and enter the code DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth.
RAM and low storage are other common causes of mouse freezing. However, it isn’t only the mouse cursor that freezes in this case, but the whole computer.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you use the best wireless or wired mouse; mouse freezing can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do in a situation like this can significantly impact your productivity. And as we elaborated in this guide, you can use any of the tips to fix the issue. If the problem persists after trying all the tips we gave, you should consider getting a new mouse.
