Question:

What could cause the mouse pointer to move in discrete jumps instead of smoothly on the screen?

I have noticed that the mouse pointer behaves erratically on my PC, regardless of which mouse I use. It moves in large increments of several pixels, instead of following the mouse movement precisely. This makes it difficult to control the cursor and select items on the screen. The problem started after I installed intellij from the official website, but I do not think it is related to malware, as I am careful about what I download and visit online. I have tried adjusting the pointer speed and sensitivity settings, but it did not help. I am considering reformatting the PC, but I would appreciate any other suggestions to fix this issue.

Answer:

If you are experiencing a mouse pointer that jumps around on your Windows 10 PC, you are not alone. Many users have reported this issue, which can be very frustrating and affect your productivity. There are several possible causes for this problem, such as faulty hardware, outdated drivers, improper settings, or malware infection. In this article, we will explore some of the common solutions that can help you fix the mouse pointer jumping around issue and restore its smooth movement.

Check your hardware

The first thing you should do is to check if there are any hardware issues that could be interfering with your mouse performance. Some of the steps you can take are:

• Try plugging your mouse into a different USB port and see if the problem persists. If it does, then the issue is not with the port.
• Try using a different mouse and see if the problem persists. If it does, then the issue is not with the mouse.
• Try using your mouse on a different surface and see if the problem persists. If it does, then the issue is not with the surface.
• Try cleaning your mouse and see if the problem persists. If it does, then the issue is not with the dirt or dust.
• Try running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and see if it detects and fixes any problems. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Hardware and Devices > Run the troubleshooter.

Update your drivers

Another possible cause for the mouse pointer jumping around issue is an outdated or corrupted driver. A driver is a software that allows your hardware to communicate with your operating system. If the driver is not up to date or compatible, it can cause various problems, including the mouse pointer jumping around. To update your drivers, you can follow these steps:

• Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager.
• Expand the category Mice and other pointing devices and right-click on your mouse device.
• Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
• Restart your PC and see if the problem is resolved.

Alternatively, you can also use a third-party tool that can automatically scan your PC for outdated or missing drivers and install them for you. This can save you time and ensure that you have the latest and compatible drivers for your hardware.

Adjust your settings

Sometimes, the mouse pointer jumping around issue can be caused by improper settings in your Windows 10 system. Some of the settings you can adjust are:

• Disable the Enhance pointer precision option. This option is supposed to make your mouse pointer more accurate, but it can also cause it to jump around. To disable it, go to Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options > Pointer Options and uncheck the box of Enhance pointer precision.
• Adjust the touchpad delay time. This option is to prevent accidental clicks or movements when you are typing on your keyboard. However, it can also cause the mouse pointer to jump around. To adjust it, go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad > Touchpad sensitivity and choose an appropriate level.
• Adjust the mouse pointer speed and acceleration. These options are to control how fast and how far your mouse pointer moves on the screen. However, they can also cause the mouse pointer to jump around. To adjust them, go to Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options > Pointer Options and use the sliders to change the speed and acceleration.

Scan your PC

Finally, the mouse pointer jumping around issue can also be caused by a malware infection. Malware is a malicious software that can harm your PC or steal your data. Some malware can also interfere with your mouse performance and cause it to jump around. To scan your PC for malware, you can use the built-in Windows Security app or a reputable third-party antivirus program. To use the Windows Security app, you can follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
• Click on Scan options and choose a scan type. You can choose Quick scan, Full scan, Custom scan, or Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
• Click on Scan now and wait for the scan to complete.
• If any threats are detected, follow the instructions to remove them.

To use a third-party antivirus program, you can download and install one from a trusted source and follow its instructions to scan and protect your PC.

Conclusion

The

mouse pointer jumping around issue can be very annoying and affect your work efficiency. However, it can also be fixed by following some of the solutions we have discussed in this article. We hope that this article has helped you resolve the mouse pointer jumping around issue and restore its smooth movement. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.