Fix Laggy or Slow Mouse on Mac
The issue of a laggy or slow mouse on Mac could be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from weak batteries, faulty mouse and incorrect settings to software related issues. Hence, we are listing below a number of ways to fix laggy or slow mouse on Mac, starting with the simplest methods, before moving on to more complex solutions.
1. Examine Mouse and Mouse Pad
Take a good look at the back of your Mouse and make sure that the laser opening is not being blocked by dirt/debris. Also, clean the Mouse Pad and see if it needs to be replaced (Worn out, Dirty).
2. Replace Batteries
A common reason for laggy or slow Mouse on Mac is due to the Batteries losing their power and becoming weak. To confirm, replace the battery on your Mouse with a New battery and see if it helps in fixing the problem.
3. Restart Mac
Sometimes, the problem is due to stuck programs or processes interfering with the functioning of Mouse on your Mac. Click on the Apple Logo in top-menu bar and select Restart option in the dropdown menu.
Wait for your Mac to completely Shut Down > Wait for another 30 seconds and Restart your Mac.
4. Unplug USB Connected Devices
Sometimes, interference from USB 3.0 devices can prevent Mouse and Keyboard from functioning properly. Remove all the USB connected devices from your Mac (except Mouse & Keyboard), restart your Mac and see if this improves the performance of your Mouse.
5. Change USB Port
Another common reason is due to the USB Port on your Mac not playing well with the Mouse due to some technical glitch. To rule out this possibility, plug the Mouse into another USB Port and see if it starts working better. If you are using a USB Hub, remove the Mouse from USB Hub and plug it directly into the USB Port of Mac.
6. Disable Handoff Feature
Some users have reported fixing the problem by disabling the Handoff feature on Mac. Click on Apple icon in top-menu bar and select System Preferences… in the dropdown menu.
On System Preferences screen, click on General and uncheck Allow handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices option.
7. Disable Bluetooth
Sometimes the problem of a laggy or slow mouse is due to interference from other Bluetooth devices that are close to your Mac. Click on Bluetooth icon located at the top-right corner and Turn OFF Bluetooth.
After disabling Bluetooth, disconnect the Mouse from your Mac > Wait for 30 seconds and connect the Mouse back to your Mac. If it is a plug-and-play mouse, it should work without Bluetooth. You can enable Bluetooth Back on your Mac, after the Mouse starts working properly.
8. Adjust Tracking & Scrolling Speed
If you find that the cursor is dragging or moving slowly, it is likely that the tracking speed of mouse has been set to a low value. Click on Apple icon in top-menu bar and select System Preferences… in the dropdown menu.
On System Preferences screen, click on the Mouse icon > on the next screen, adjust Tracking and Scrolling Speed by moving the slider to right.
The change takes effect immediately, start using your Mouse and see if it feels faster than it was before.
9. Is Your Mouse Defective?
Plug another Wireless/Bluetooth Mouse into your Mac and see if the New Mouse works perfectly fine on your Mac. Now, plug the Slow Mouse into another computer (Windows PC) and see if it is working. If the Mouse is not working on another computer, it confirms that the Mouse is defective. If you recently bought the mouse, return or exchange it as soon as possible.
10. Reset NVRAM
NVRAM which stands for Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory stores the settings of external devices connected to Mac. It is quite possible that the reason for Laggy or Slow Mouse on your Mac is due to its corrupted NVRAM. You can Reset NVRAM on your Mac by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Reset NVRAM or PRAM on Mac Image Source – Apple.com
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