How to fix mouse lag in Windows 10?

If you are experiencing mouse lag while using your PC, then read below to fix this annoying problem.

Are you trying to play a game and wondering why your mouse is stuck on the screen? Are you creating a document and suddenly while you move the mouse, the cursor on the screen takes 2 seconds to move?

Mouse lag is a common problem that we all face at some point in our lives, especially if we deal with computers on a daily basis. It is obvious that mouse lag in Windows 10 can be extremely annoying, it can slow down your productivity or lead to you making wrong clicks while using it.

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The quickest approach to solving this problem is to start with the hardware (your mouse). Once you've checked that, you can focus on all the other parts and applications that make your mouse work smoothly.

Let's see what you can check on your mouse from a hardware perspective to fix mouse lag in Windows:

1. Change the device's batteries.
   Many times the batteries in our devices fail without us realizing it. If your mouse runs on batteries, you can try changing them to see if the problem improves.
2. Unplug the mouse from the USB port and plug it back in to the same or a different one.
   This will help you make sure that a faulty USB port isn't the cause of your mouse not working properly.
3. Clean the mouse.
   There is a possibility that your mouse works with an IR sensor, so if it is dirty inside the scroll wheel it will cause cursor lag.
4. Check the mouse on another PC.
   Make sure the mouse is not damaged by checking its operation on another PC.
5. Use a mouse pad or clean the surface you use your mouse on.
   Sometimes, for example, if your table is damp from a rainy night, your mouse may be slow to respond. That's why it's wise to invest in a quality mouse pad.

See also: How to choose the ideal mouse pad?

Did you do all the above steps successfully and still have mouse lag? So the problem is probably in some software or driver settings. See below what you can do.

1. Update your mouse drivers.
   If your mouse drivers are outdated or the wrong version, then it is logical that the device will not work properly. Depending on the manufacturer of your mouse, there are many drivers that you can download. You also have the option to update your mouse drivers through Windows 10 Settings.
2. Roll Back Drivers.
   You may be experiencing mouse lag because both mouse and Realtek drivers are known to cause issues. Check to see if the issue persists after reinstalling the drivers or going back to an older version. (Note: If you find the Roll Back Driver button grayed out, this solution is not suitable for your system.)
3. Change Speed/Sensitivity Settings
   With the speed/sensitivity settings you can modify the sensitivity of the mouse with dpi. Dpi (dots per inch) is the number that represents how far the cursor moves on the screen with each movement of the device. Mouse speed is the speed at which the cursor moves on the screen.
4. Adjust the Scroll Inactive Windows option.
   Turn this setting off or on in Settings in Windows 10 to see how it affects your mouse lag.
5. Disable Fast Startup
   Many people use this Windows 10 feature to try to improve their boot time. However, it has been known to cause erratic mouse behavior, so disabling Fast Startup is a good step.
6. Disable Windows Power Saving Mode.
   One thing that can affect mouse behavior is Windows Power Saving Mode. Windows may attempt to disable the USB port to save power, causing mouse lag.
7. Check your mouse frequency.
   Your mouse lag issue may be related to your frequency setting. This issue commonly affects wireless mice, and if your mouse is lagging, you may be able to fix the problem by adjusting its frequency.
8. Disable Cortana.
   Many users have blamed Cortana for causing mouse lag. Disabling Cortana is a great step to resolve the issue.