Fixing a Mouse Cursor That Isn’t Moving
A stuck cursor often points to a dirty sensor, bad surface or power issue. Use these cross-platform steps to get movement back.
Windows
- Wipe the sensor and mouse feet with a lint-free cloth.
- Try a different mouse pad or sheet of paper.
- Replace batteries or reseat the USB cable/dongle.
- Press Win+X → Device Manager and update the mouse driver.
macOS
- Clean the sensor opening and use a contrasting surface.
- Toggle the power switch or reconnect the mouse via Bluetooth.
- Check System Settings → Bluetooth for battery status.
- Install the latest macOS updates and reboot.
Linux
- Inspect and clean the sensor and surface.
- Run
lsusbordmesgto verify the device is detected. - Replace batteries or reconnect the cable.
- Update drivers or firmware packages from your distribution.
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