The most common cause of erratic mouse pointer movement in Windows is a faulty or damaged mouse. A worn-out rollers, dust accumulation, or a jiggled connection can cause the touchpad to malfunction. In some cases, a failing battery or power issue can also cause a mouse cursor to be jumpy.
A second possible cause of erratic mouse pointer movement is a conflict or software incompatibility. If you have recently installed new software, updated existing programs or drivers, or changed system settings, these changes may be causing a conflict with your current mouse setup. Try uninstalling any recent updates or changes and restarting the computer to see if that resolves the mouse issues.
A third potential cause of erratic mouse pointer is an interfering peripheral. If you are using a mouse that requires a USB connection, try removing other USB devices from the computer or moving them further away from the mouse. Also check to make sure that no other electrical device is too close to the wireless mouse, as this can cause interference.
Finally, if all of the above fail, you may need to replace the mouse entirely. If your mouse is old, worn-out, or has been used heavily over a long period of time, it may be time to invest in a newer model. Consider investing in a gaming mouse, which offers higher sensitivity, durability, and design quality than traditional cursor control devices.
Ultimately, by troubleshooting your hardware and software, you should be able to determine the source of your erratic mouse pointer. Although the most common culprits are a worn out mouse or conflicting software, don’t forget to check for external peripherals or hardware damage as well. Replacing a mouse is relatively inexpensive and will go a long way in restoring cursor reliability.