Mouse Cursor Shaking

• Restart your computer/Restart mouse if needed: Restarting your device can sometimes fix temporary glitches or clear out any temporary files that might cause issues. Be sure to shut down your computer completely, turn your mouse off, and remove the batteries to ensure the mouse can fully power cycle.
• Replace your mouse's batteries: If you're using a wireless mouse, check to see if the battery is low or close to being depleted.
• Check system resources: If you have a program taking up an absurd amount of memory or CPU power, then this can cause your mouse to move sporadically. Open your system's Task Manager or Activity Monitor to see if any programs are taking up a large amount of your system's resources.
• Install pending updates. Install the pending updates. Vendors frequently release patches or updates to software to enhance its responsiveness and reduce resource consumption. Windows updates can be found in Settings > Updates and Security.
• Try recreating the issue on a different computer: Try seeing if the issue is persistent between devices. If the issue is persistent, then the issue is likely with the mouse.

Dust, debris, or hair on the mouse pad or sensor can interfere with its tracking. To ensure optimal performance, it’s crucial to keep the sensor clean and the surface you use your mouse on both clean and level.

• Clean your mousepad: Most modern mice use optical sensors to track a surface. If the surface your mouse is tracking is dirty, it can result in poor tracking. If you use a mouse pad, ensure its surface is clean. A soft-bristled brush can remove most debris that could affect tracking.
  • You can also perform a deep clean by soaking your mouse pad under lukewarm water with a mild soap, and gently scrub with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Be sure to run it thoroughly and let it air dry completely.
• Dirty sensors or worn feet: Dust on the optical sensor can impede tracking. Gently clean the sensor window with a dry cloth and some high-concentration alcohol. Also check the mouse feet/’skates’ for wear – replace them or use tape to restore smooth gliding if needed.

Cursor sensitivity is a setting that allows a user to either increase or decrease the speed at which their cursor moves. If the sensitivity is accidentally set too high, then this can result in unanticipated movement.

• From the Windows 11 desktop, select Start and then select Settings, Bluetooth & devices, then Mouse.
• Once in the Mouse window, use the slider next to Mouse pointer speed to set the mouse pointer speed.

• From the Windows 10 desktop, select Start and choose Settings, Devices, then Mouse.
• In the Mouse window, adjust the Cursor speed by using the slider.

• On macOS, open System Settings, then click Mouse or Trackpad from the sidebar.
• Click Point & Click, then drag the “Tracking speed” slider to your desired speed.

An outdated or corrupted mouse driver or system driver (USB or Bluetooth adapter) can significantly impact your cursor's movement.

• MacOS and Linux operating systems will use a generic driver for mice; however, if your mouse's manufacturer has drivers available through their website, then try downloading the latest driver software from the manufacturer's site.
• Windows 10 and 11 will automatically search for new drivers; however, you might need to prompt the operating system to install the latest drivers. Hit the Windows Key and I to launch the settings application, and choose Windows Update from the left menu. From there, simply select the Advanced options and Optional updates, then Driver Updates to search for the driver for your mouse.

If none of the above helps and the mouse behaves the same on another computer, the mouse itself may be faulty.

• Dissassemble the mouse and look for any burnt or damaged components: Check for any signs of burnt or water-damaged components. If you observe any visible damage, the mouse's mainboard should be replaced.
• Check if the sensor's lens is scratched or cracked: A cracked or damaged lens can greatly impact how your mouse functions. If the lens is damaged, then the lens or the whole sensor may need to be replaced.
• Ensure that the mouse's red LED illuminates: Most optical mice use a red LED to illuminate the surface beneath the mouse. This light is used to help the sensor capture movement and then translates it into cursor movement on the screen. Ensure that power is being delivered to the LED, and the LED itself isn't burnt out. Try testing this with a multimeter.
• Replace the optical sensor: Ensure that the optical sensor is getting the proper amount of power by testing the component with a multimeter.