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Likely fix

Fix: Mouse not moving

A mouse that does not move usually has a power, battery, USB receiver, Bluetooth, sensor, surface, or driver problem.

Quick answer

Turn the mouse off and on, check batteries or cable, try another USB port, clean the sensor, and restart the computer.

Important warning

Glass, shiny desks, dust, and hair over the sensor can stop an optical mouse tracking correctly.

Try this

  1. 1 Turn the mouse off and on if it has a power switch.
  2. 2 Replace or charge the batteries if it is wireless.
  3. 3 Unplug and reconnect the USB cable or receiver.
  4. 4 Try another USB port.
  5. 5 Clean the sensor on the bottom of the mouse.
  6. 6 Try the mouse on a plain mouse pad or matte surface.
  7. 7 Restart the computer.
  8. 8 Test the mouse on another device if available.

Common causes

Mouse is switched off.

Battery is low or dead.

USB receiver is loose.

Mouse sensor is dirty.

Surface is too shiny or transparent.

Computer needs a restart.

Mouse hardware is failing.

What to check next

  • Check whether the mouse has a power light.
  • Check whether the sensor light appears underneath.
  • Check whether another USB port works.
  • Check whether another mouse works on the same computer.
  • Check whether this mouse works on another computer.

FAQ

Why is my mouse not moving?

The mouse may be off, out of battery, disconnected, dirty underneath, on a bad surface, or failing.

Can the desk surface stop a mouse working?

Yes. Optical mice often struggle on glass, shiny, reflective, or transparent surfaces.

Should I test another mouse?

Yes. If another mouse works on the same computer, the original mouse is probably the issue.

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