From moving files and folders to running programs, the mouse (also known as the mouse cursor) plays a key role in multiple processes on computers. Compared to other computer features, the mouse rarely runs into issues in the course of operation. That being said, if the mouse acts up out of the blue, people would have a hard time using their computers. Take a look at this article if you notice your mouse stuck in middle of screen.
Overview
Damage
To put it plainly, if your physical mouse is damaged, you should have trouble moving the mouse cursor around the screen. Thus, if your mouse is stuck, you should check it for signs of damages (cracks, dents, etc).
Trackpad
Your computer is a laptop and you use the trackpad to move the mouse cursor? Then there is a chance the trackpad on your laptop may have been turned off. With the trackpad disabled, the mouse cursor would stop moving and mouse stuck in middle of screen is the result.
Drivers
In case you don’t know, mouse drivers manage the interactions between physical mouses and computers. If the drivers for your physical mouse became corrupted, the mouse cursor would go haywire in a heartbeat.
What Must Be Done
Take A Look At Trackpad LED
Many laptops have an LED light on the top-left corner of the trackpad. If the LED is lit, it means that the trackpad is disabled. In such a case, double-tap on the LED to re-enable the trackpad.
Give The Mouse A Look
Damages can interfere with the performance of physical mouses. Hence, once it comes to mouse stuck in middle of screen, it’s a good idea to conduct a thorough examination.
- Step 1: If it is a battery-powered mouse, check if the batteries are depleted and replace them.
- Step 2: If your external mouse is connected to your computer through a USB cable, inspect the cable for loose joints or exposed wires.
- Step 3: Inspect the USB port that your mouse is connected to and make sure that it is in working order.
- Step 4: Check the laser lens of your mouse to see if it is flickering. If it is, the unit needs repair or replacement.
Disable And Enable Mouse
Once it comes to mouse cursor not moving, you should consider disabling and enabling your mouse. By doing so, you could get rid of all sorts of issues that plague the mouse cursor.
- Step 1: Press the Windows + R to open Run, type main.cpl and hit Enter.
- Step 2: Go to Hardware tab, select your mouse and choose Properties
- Step 3: Navigate to Driver tab, choose Disable Device, wait a bit then select Enable Device
Take Function Key Into Account
In a number of cases, the mouse cursor gets stuck because your function key was pushed unintentionally and deactivated the trackpad. To reactivate the trackpad, it’s necessary to hit the Function key again.
- Step 1: Hold down the Fn key on your keyboard.
- Step 2: Press the Functions key which could be F7, F8, F9 or F5 depending on your laptop model.
- Step 3: Swipe across the trackpad while keeping an eye on the mouse cursor.
Run An SFC Scan
System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility used to identify and fix damaged or missing system files. If you notice your mouse stuck in middle of screen, perform a SFC scan at the earliest opportunity.
- Step 1: Navigate to Search bar, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Step 2: In Command Prompt (Admin), type sfc/ scannow and hit Enter.
- Step 3: Wait until the SFC scan wraps up.
- Step 4: Close Command Prompt.
- Step 5: Restart your computer.
How Does The Tilt Wheel Work On Physical Mouses?
Users can scroll vertically on the page by rolling the tilt wheel up or down. It’s possible to scroll horizontally as well by clicking the tilt wheel left or right.
Why Is My Mouse Double-Clicking All The Time?
When the double-click speed is set too low (long timeout), clicking two times that are a few seconds apart can be interpreted by the system as a double-click. To prevent that, all you have to do is to increase the double-click speed (short timeout).
How Can I Save Web Pages In Google Chrome Using My Mouse?
A quick way to save a web page in Google Chrome is to hold down the Alt key and then Left-click on the page.
Which Is The Best Way To Clean Around The Mouse Buttons?
A good way to clean your mouse buttons is to drop a bit of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel until it is damp. Next, use the damp edge to clean around the mouse buttons. Give the buttons a good cleaning and let them dry.
Which Type Of Mouse Is Best For Gaming?
A laser mouse is the most ideal for gaming because it is highly sensitive. It has a resolution ranging from 6,000 dpi (Dots Per Inch) to 15,000 dpi. As such, it tracks with a lightning-fast speed resulting in quicker reactions in computer games.
Suggestions
- A quick way to select a block of text is to use the Shift key along with your mouse cursor. To do so, click at the beginning of a paragraph, hold down Shift, scroll down to the end of the paragraph and click at the end of the text. The whole block will be highlighted.
- The mouse wheel can be used for smoother web browsing. If there is a link that you want to visit, place your cursor on it and press down on the mouse wheel. It will act as a third mouse button and open the link in a new tab.
- Windows 10 power users can browse much quicker by utilizing the Shift key. In this case, a user can hold down the Shift key and roll the mouse wheel downwards to go back to a previous page.
- When formatting or editing paragraphs, the mouse can be used to highlight the entire block of text rapidly. In this case, a user can simply triple-click on any word in the paragraph. That is going to highlight the entire block of text.
- To conduct targeted editing, numerous separate words can be selected one after the other while leaving space in between. Hold down the Ctrl key then select your words of choice to highlight the targeted ones and leave the rest.
Hoang Tu is a seasoned Microsoft Windows expert with a strong IT background. Studying at Hanoi Bach Khoa University, he gained valuable experience at Hanoi Computer and FPT Soft before joining Milagro Mobile Marketing. Specializing in providing tips and tutorials on Windows for global users, Hoang Tu’s expertise covers various Windows versions. With a talent for clear communication, he offers practical solutions and advice to users of all skill levels. His dedication to empowering individuals in their Windows experience has earned him recognition in the tech community, making him a trusted resource for optimizing system performance and resolving technical issues.