It's common nowadays for wireless mice to be packaged with a nano-receiver, a tiny receiver the size of a small finger nail, that plugs into a USB port.
On two systems, I've experienced erratic cursor behavior as I move the mouse. The cursor jumps or sometimes doesn't react at all.
The problem is due to the receiver being too close to the USB port. It picks up electronic noise generated by the computer's parts, interfering with the signals passing from the mouse. In addition, I found the problem specific to Logitech's Unifying receiver, which handles up to six devices. I suspect that there is just too much tiny electronics crammed into the tiny chunk of plastic and metal.
The solution is to install an extender, a male-female USB cord. It moves the receiver away from the computer. Even a couple of inches helps, but in severe cases, you may need to use a longer cord.
This solution worked for me.
Unfortunately I discovered this same solution by trial and error and many frustrating hours.
I had a Logitech MX Master mouse with unifying receiver mated to a desktop USB port.
Suddenly out of the blue.. the mouse was not tracking properly anymore.. then it failed to track at all.
Windows 10 reported no problems with the device in Device Manager.
I plugged the Unifying receiver into a different computer and got the same erratic behavior in just a few minutes time.
I had switched ports on both computers, avoided USB 3.0 ports, made sure no other USB devices were plugged in, yet the problem persisted. Even with a different Logitech mouse, confirming it was the receiver and not the mouse.
Upon disconnecting other USB devices I decided to use the USB extender for my WIFI Dongle with the Logitech Unifying receiver. The mouse started working properly again. I tried it with the MX Master mouse and that also worked fine so long as the receiver was not plugged directly into the USB port.
I admit that having to use a USB extender cord defeats the clean look of a hidden nano device, but if a simple cord breaths new life into $100 mouse that is only 3 months old, then I can live with the slight inconvenience.
Posted by: H.R.Puffenstuff | Oct 29, 2015 at 03:59 AM
I wonder if laptops have more shielding than desktops, and so the nano-receiver works well with laptops, fooling us into thinking that it should work just as well as desktop computers.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Oct 29, 2015 at 07:24 AM
Thanks ... so much
It worked for me with an MX logitec that was making me waste my time keeping the cursor going where I wanted....
Posted by: David | Feb 11, 2016 at 04:06 PM
Unfortunately that didn't work out for me. A simple trick by disabling trackpad while mouse is connected actually works. Thanks to Andreas who wrote in this article: http://www.anysoftwaretools.com/fix-mac-cursor-trackpad-problem/
By the way, I'm on a Mac.
Posted by: Stanley | Nov 04, 2016 at 04:52 PM
This worked for me. The mouse had problems whether using the front or rear USB port on the tower. As soon as I moved it to a USB extender cable, the problem was solved.
Posted by: Jarrett | Mar 09, 2017 at 02:24 PM
It worked! Thanks!!
Posted by: Marlon | Apr 20, 2017 at 10:37 AM
I've been using the MX mouse for about 2 years without any problems. Then all of a sudden the Sh-- hit the fan while trying to edit photos in PS and moving files in Explorer became a copy and paste adventure often wondering where they would end up. Click & Drag became a nightmare and the simple task of cropping photos in Photoshop became an editors nightmare. I moved the receiver from one USB port to another one and it helped with certain tasks but not the critical ones like adjusting the photo levels in PS. I switched out the battery that came with the MX to a higher amp battery and that didn't help either. I uninstalled and reinstalled the MX drivers and that didn't help either. Finally I went back to my wired mouse and everything got back to normal. I paid a lot for the MX mouse and expected a lot in return. I own several Logitech products and they all work great so I'm guessing I got a lemon but for now my wired mouse is working great.
Posted by: Vidmon | Jun 05, 2017 at 04:35 AM
I continue to use the MX mouse, replacing it as it wears out every couple of years. I use a short USB cable extender to keep the receiver away from my desktop computer's case. Ironically, I keep it tethered to a thin USB cable, to keep the wireless mouse charged.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Jun 05, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Did the trick on a small barebones cube build...thanks much!!
Posted by: dave | Jun 25, 2017 at 09:03 AM
oh it worked for me! Been annoyed with this for months.
Posted by: roy | Aug 18, 2017 at 01:21 AM
If wireless try moving it further away and maybe trying a different mouse pad underlay.
Posted by: William | Nov 25, 2017 at 07:01 AM
Many thanx for the original post. I don't have a cordless rodent and use a wired G500s but had the same symptoms. as soon as I connected it via a USB extender cord my problem was solved!
Posted by: Polyrus | Nov 26, 2017 at 04:00 PM
logitech wireless mouse works fine when plugged directly into my laptop hp250g4 using win 10 64bit os when moved to a add on 4 usb device it will not work using seagate 2tb hard drive working ok
Posted by: David | Jan 26, 2018 at 10:51 PM
My best solution was to ditch wireless mice and return to a good quality gaming mouse with a cord - PERFECT
Posted by: Steve | Feb 08, 2018 at 04:45 AM
This has been driving me crazy for months.I had an old USB extension cord lying around and ran across your post. So far so good. Thanks!
Posted by: Paul | Feb 16, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Worked for me! Like Paul said, it's been driving me nutty. Thanks for explaining why it works instead of that "it just works".
Posted by: Terry L Mundy | Feb 16, 2018 at 09:02 PM
I had the same issue with a Bluetooth dongle.a slight turn of the head and my blutooth headphones would lose connection.i plugged the dongle into a usb extension cable(after reading this post)and bingo.its perfect.saved me a few quid as I was going to but a Bluetooth pci card.thanks
Posted by: steve | Feb 17, 2018 at 04:50 AM
If you have a cell phone near to your wireless receiver move it far from the receiver. I had two cells near it and it was a nightmare...not only the mx mouse was horrible but also the keyboard. Moving the cell solved all the issues... As we can deprehend the problem is related to interference....
Posted by: Speedmaster | Jul 31, 2018 at 07:54 AM
Moving the nano receiver worked for me.
Thanks very much for the hint
Posted by: Brian | Aug 07, 2018 at 09:40 AM
well usually people plug their unifying receiver in at the back of the computer, and your mouse is usually in front of the computer. and most often people have their computers under their desk. Your computer case being usually one large piece of metal which is hopefully grounded too, this causes radio signals to not pass through at all. and as such it is impossible for the wireless signal to get a clear path to your mouse, your mouse essentially stays in radio shadow. radio signals don't really bounce around much in your average house/apartment.
So putting an extender cord on the unifying receiver and extending it outside of the case so it gets a clear path to the mouse, should indeed help alot. Most non-metallic surfaces do not interfere, only if they are very thick, or contain a lot of water.
Posted by: Tahlskog | Aug 19, 2018 at 03:16 AM
Plugging my receiver into an external USB hub worked for me.
Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Tom Keffer | Sep 25, 2018 at 06:24 AM
Thank you! Extending the receiver (Microsoft wireless mouse) away from the USB connections worked. This has been driving me crazy!
Posted by: Bill Brown | Nov 10, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Brilliant! Worked for me also. Use a HP laptop but in the home office it is connected to a Logitech K800 keyboard and Performance MX mouse with a single Unifying receiver; all was well until I had to replace the Samsung monitor and that's when the problem started! Searched all over various forums; updated drivers, changed the USB port the receiver was plugged in to, etc., etc., then came across this post and once the receiver was moved away from the laptop (just by a few inches) all was well. Not sure why changing the monitor lead to the problem; perhaps because it is now connected via a display port not HDMI but following the advice above the problem has been resolved. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Michael Rossiter | Jan 05, 2019 at 10:47 PM
I have a Mac and tried most of these comments without success. It doesn't seem to be a brand, just Wireless Mouse, made in China and I've used it for about a year with no problems until recently. I'm using an old wireless mouse and keyboard now with no problems. But I prefer the one that's gone wild as it's smaller and the mouse turns itself off. I tried changing from the USB extension directly to the MacMini but it didn't help. And the Trackpad is not connected, I've set the Mouse at a little slower and I'm not using the Natural direction.
Posted by: Janet Hudgins | Mar 09, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Today's mice from Logitech last a long time on a battery.
I recommend against the ones with rechargeable batteries:
They do not run as long as chargeable ones
They need to be plugged in, so you are back to have a corded mouse
You have to hunt down replacement rechargeable batteries, which cost
a lot more than regular batterers bought in buld.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Mar 10, 2019 at 09:50 AM
Worked for me. Thanks a lot.
Posted by: Garry Jackson | Mar 22, 2019 at 06:39 AM
I thought I was going to lose my mind trying to find a solution. I gave up hope of fixing my wireless mouse lag/freeze after trying all the troubleshooting suggestions I could find. I plugged in a wired mouse and it worked. I then gave trying to fix the wireless mouse issue one more try, and came across this post. Using a USB extender cord really works!!!
Posted by: Tracy | Mar 30, 2019 at 09:27 AM
Wow - Every 2 years I been just buying a new nano receiver assuming that was the life expectancy.
Moved receiver from rear to front and appears I might get just a little more life out of it...
Posted by: Brandon | Apr 01, 2019 at 07:38 AM
Someone comments that usually USB ports are at the back of computers and computers are sometimes under the desk. I had problems with my mouse that were solved moving the nano receiver to the USB ports at the monitor. Nowadays many monitors have USB ports. Maybe the ones who want a clean desktop can try it.
Posted by: Julian | Apr 03, 2019 at 01:24 PM
I had the same problem when the receiver was directly inserted into a docking port (on a cord) where it became hot. It didn't get hot when directly connected to the laptop. So I connected it to an extension cord to the docking station, now it works OK, so far.
Posted by: Ed | Apr 17, 2019 at 05:48 PM
I had to install a USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter after a Lightning storm took out my regular network adapter. Afterwards my mouse started acting up. At first I didn't relate the two. I then just moved the mouse receiver about 12 inches away from the USB to Ethernet adapter and it fixed my mouse problem
Posted by: Robert | May 31, 2019 at 08:56 PM
This totally worked for me. I used an extension for USB and the stuttering cleared up right away.
Posted by: Whitney Dodman | Jun 02, 2019 at 01:47 PM
i just tried one of the comments that mentioned using a different mouse pad... i took the black mouse pad away.. my logitech mx anywhere mouse is working much better now.. jeez... not perfect.. it was so glitchy removed the pad now its working better.. lol
Posted by: sean | Jun 09, 2019 at 07:47 PM
I have been going nuts with this problem since I upgraded to Windows 10, having bought a new laptop. I often wished I could go back to good old Windows 7. I am going to try my mouse with the seemingly problematic Unifying Nano Receiver in an extension, which I'll get from Ebay so hopefully, I won't be untangling half a sentence I type in 'Word'. I write a lot of fanfiction and it takes twice as long when the stupid cursor jumps back halfway up the page or worse still, decides to minimise the program or do something stupid. Fingers crossed it works when I get the extension.
Posted by: silversurfer60 | Jun 10, 2019 at 07:53 AM
I have updated computers that are not critical to my business to Windows 10, so get the "free" operating system.
But computers critical to my business stay on Windows 7, for the simple reason that some of the softeare I use to make me efficient at my work do not work on Windows 10 (or even on Windows 8). It makes no sense to "update" when the result is a downgrade..
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Jun 10, 2019 at 09:14 AM
Wow!! I was preparing to have to re-install drivers or even purchase a new mouse. I tried this fix and so far it is working great!! Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Danny Crawford | Jun 11, 2019 at 10:31 AM
Perfect thanks.
Worked a treat on a new Macbook pro with Mojave and external logitech mouse
Posted by: Andrew Crowe | Jun 19, 2019 at 01:18 AM
Thank you so much! This article and the fix recommended worked like a charm and saved me from the insanity of trying to figure out why my brand new Logitech M525 mouse suddenly stopped working correctly. Thankfully I already had one of those extender cables and fixed the problem seconds after reading the article.
Posted by: Heather M | Jun 19, 2019 at 09:13 AM
I've run into lag/stutter issues even with an extender, if my nano-receiver is touching the monitor cable. Luckily the fix is simple, move the monitor cable away from the receiver+extender.
Posted by: A Evans | Jul 02, 2019 at 02:59 PM
Ahhh!! you solved a very frustrating issue I've had with both mouse and keyboard!!! it would work fine for months then mysteriously drop keys and mouse clicks. A 6" extension resolved it. THANK YOU!
Posted by: bob | Jul 10, 2019 at 05:09 PM
Great post Thanks! After reading I Added a 4 port USB extender with it's 6 inch pigtail going to the PC. Problem solved! Also verified, as others noted, that a cellphone near the wireless mouse can cause jumpy mouse behavior.
Posted by: ahart | Jul 19, 2019 at 05:27 AM
Had exactly the same issue with a Logitech MX Performance mouse that is around 5 years or so old. The receiver was plugged into a USB 2 port on the back of the computer. All of a sudden, it stopped tracking properly causing huge frustration. I reinstalled the Logitech drivers but the issue persisted. I plugged in a standard USB mouse and that worked correctly. I have a 7-port USB 3 hub on my desk so unplugged the receiver and put it into the hub; the mouse is tracking perfectly again so this is a great post for the solution to the problem.
Posted by: Pete | Jul 21, 2019 at 06:38 AM
My MX Ergo worked flawlessly for the last 3 months inserted front panel Desktop. Only recently has MX Ergo become erratic. SOLUTION : Is there additional devices attached to the Nano receiver such as a keyboard? My keyboard has difficulty maintaining a charge; thus when it goes low charge - it must be affecting the reception on the Nano. Charge up the Keyboard & everything is working fine! Shut down the keyboard - does it affect the mouse operation?
Posted by: EdL. | Jul 27, 2019 at 06:21 AM
I cannot believe this fix. It worked perfectly. I never would have thought of this and I've been an IT professional for 20 years. Kudos for figuring this out.
Posted by: Tony G Meyer | Aug 02, 2019 at 08:01 AM
It happened to me last week, and I wrote this tip!
My cordless keyboard's trackpad was acting up, just could not control the cursor. Then I realized that the nanoreceiver, which I had attached to the end of a USB extension cable, had gotten behind the DVD player. The player is made of metal, so it block the transmission of data between keyboard and receiver.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Aug 02, 2019 at 08:16 AM
I just bought a new MAC and have spent a lot of time searching for answers on how to fix a jumpy cursor/mouse pointer. Tried all of the recommended settings changes in the System Preferences (Mouse & Accessibility), and nothing worked. Until I found this post. I'd already purchased the multi-port adapter from Apple, so I plugged my mouse's usb receiver into that and no more jumping around the page! Now I can get to work. Thank you!
Posted by: Anne Francis Scott | Aug 08, 2019 at 01:55 PM
The problem with my mice was erratic. But, this extender solution seems to be working! Thanks!
Posted by: twotinears | Aug 13, 2019 at 07:00 AM
But I bought the wireless mouse in order to cut down on all the wires. Now we're told to plug in a cord to stop the erratic mouse movements. How Annoying!
Posted by: Dixie J. Elder | Aug 26, 2019 at 10:01 AM
I wish I'd found this weeks ago, it's been driving me crazy. I upgraded my monitor a while back and moved the receiver from the monitor USB port to the back of the PC. I've just moved it back to the new monitor and it's working perfectly again.
Posted by: Ian | Aug 27, 2019 at 06:53 PM
The longer extension cord worked for me, about 8 feet. My laptop PC is an HP Mini101, running Win 10 version 1903. Nice to know older solutions still work. btw my Mouse is a Logitech M305. FWIW, this pc has only 3 USB Ports, 2 on one side, and the other on the other side.
Posted by: ROBERT EARLY | Aug 30, 2019 at 06:36 AM
Experienced the same erratic cursor movement. I have two logitech mice, each with its own nano receiver. One of them has the issue though. After reading this, I tried another USB port on my laptop and my mouse is back. My laptop has three USB 3.0 ports, now I use the side one.
Posted by: Rumen Dimov | Sep 25, 2019 at 09:48 AM
Nano receiver... move away from computer to extend usb port... wow! who knew? well it worked like a charm for me... now my m570 track ball mouse is golden and doe not jump from everything i point at/// Thanks to users with a brain, I am now a genius... LOL :)
Gary C
Posted by: Gary Clevenger | Oct 05, 2019 at 04:20 PM
when will Logitech ADDRESS the problem?
why should consumers patch their equipment?
Posted by: dachief | Oct 09, 2019 at 11:16 AM
You've saved my life. This was driving me crazy for a long time. I've used an USB extender and now it works flawlessly. Thank you!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Blue | Oct 22, 2019 at 03:09 AM
My Logitech mouse-keyboard arrived yesterday. Ditto to the problems experienced.
I moved the receiver from a USB 3.0 port on the front of my computer (only 3 feet away from the mouse and in direct line of sight).
I relocated it to a usb 2.0 port on the back of the computer (about the same distance but out of the line of sight. Works great.
The keyboard worked properly regardless of the receiver position.
Excellent thread.
Posted by: toby | Nov 07, 2019 at 08:51 AM
I'm so glad I decided to Google this because I was about to trash my M510 which I've had for years and loved! I just got a new HP laptop and I figured the mouse was just old. I moved the receiver to a USB extender and it immediately fixed the issue. Thanks for the help!
Posted by: Matt | Nov 20, 2019 at 03:22 PM
I had the same problem for days.
Just tied a rubber band around the received that goes on the PC and now the keyboard and mouse work fine. :D
Posted by: nicho | Nov 29, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Nicho,
I am already using a usb cable to connect to the nano receiver and my wireless Logitech mouse still suffered from the erratic movement problem. I tried your rubber band trick and it works!! I just wrap a rubber band round the nano receiver.
What makes you try wrapping a rubber band round the nano receiver?
Posted by: Ooi | Dec 17, 2019 at 09:01 AM
I moved my phone from one pocket to the other and so far it's now working fine. Thank you so much!
Posted by: Carole Riley | Dec 17, 2019 at 07:52 PM
Thank you! -I salute you!
Posted by: Pekka Pouta | Dec 26, 2019 at 09:41 AM
So much stupid comments.....
First let ask Logitech and Microsoft what they do with drivers for wireless mouse?
Everyone spoke how signal from receiver is messing with something that come from the computer ?!?
Interesting what is changed inside computer to make mouse that work perfectly almost 2 year acting like a crazy frog?
Let me tell you - absolutely nothing is changed
Just is about a time to spend some money because corporation will stop working.
First - Microsoft refuse (restrict) to use many original drivers from manufacturers because they not have way to test it (actually they don't want to spend money in that direction) and is better to not use them.
Second if you see manufacturers stop making drivers for their hardware especially mouse keyboards and other wireless things.
Even they do - Microsoft delete them after one or two updates.
So I'm not happy to put cable on receiver because if this is thru i need to have receiver with cable from manufacturer.
If they not tested their products we need to stop use them and return these that not work properly.
Posted by: SS | Jan 04, 2020 at 02:30 PM
I had the same issue. Moved the receiver to the front of the case, no problem any longer until I connect USB stick to the another port near by, the problem came back... Will try this solution, thanks!
Posted by: sdawd | Jan 04, 2020 at 03:56 PM
Many thanks. Using a USB extension cable worked for me!
Posted by: John | Jan 09, 2020 at 03:00 PM
Just about ready to smash this rebel rodent to bits! Thanks!
Posted by: Rascally Rabbit | Feb 06, 2020 at 01:44 PM
The cursor on my Logitech mouse (M220, w/unifying receiver) started "jiggling" without any mouse movement. It started when I moved the usb nano-receiver from the 4-port hub to a dedicated unused usb port on the laptop. Moving it back to the hub (connected to another usb port on the same laptop) fixed the problem.
Posted by: RANDY S SHARPE | Feb 12, 2020 at 06:14 PM
M310 Logitech is new and mouse works fine on laptop. BUT i CANT DO
NORMAL TYPING without curser moving all over on its own so it wrecks
every sentance I type, I have adjusted sensitivity down to minimum but
not helping. Can you help? Shari
Posted by: Sharon Hrabec | Mar 04, 2020 at 09:56 AM
Thanks for this solution which worked for me. For over two years now I had my Logitec M510 mouse parked after it start suddenly drifting to the corner and could only move up and down on two different laptops and a desktop, I could not figure out what was the problem, spent a few hours cleaning, removing parts changing drivers without any improvement, I was on the verge of scraping it.
Posted by: Mead | Mar 07, 2020 at 11:32 AM