I Hate These Mieces to Pieces

SoxJox

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2003
7,082
Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
Am experiencing some very frustrating mouse issues with my Mac desktop (running Catalina v10.15.3 with 3.4 Ghz Quad-Core Intel i5, Radeon Pro 5470 4GB graphics).

I am experiencing:
  • Jumping cursor
  • Inconsistent scrolling
  • Delayed click response
  • Needing to click 2 or 3 times on a single-click icon / function
They symptoms are presented in any configuration:

  • Apple bluetooth mouse
  • Apple connected mouse
  • Logitech wireless mouse
  • Logitech connected mouse
For each of the connected options, I have used various available USB ports for the wireless fob transceivers.

Any ideas what the issue might be?

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:

DrBlinky

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 18, 2002
825
Cranston, RI
Same work area configuration? I've encountered weird things happening with an optical mouse on a highly reflective surface (i.e. glossy tabletop).
 

lars10

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
11,612
Clean the mouse - dust / dust might be causing this. It happens with us due to cat fur daily.
But didn't he use four different ones? Seems odd that all of them would be dirty at the same time.

Did this all start with the install of Catalina? or before? I assume SoxJox has already searched Apple for a possible fix?
 

canderson

Mr. Brightside
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
39,430
Harrisburg, Pa.
But didn't he use four different ones? Seems odd that all of them would be dirty at the same time.

Did this all start with the install of Catalina? or before? I assume SoxJox has already searched Apple for a possible fix?
Oh, sorry, I misinterpreted.

Weird issue.
 

SoxJox

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2003
7,082
Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
I don't correlate mouse issues with upgrade to Catalina, but who knows? Stranger and unexpected 2nd and 3rd order effects are not unknown.

Edit; Although, at lars10 suggestion, am working my way through Apple network MacOS Catalina problem reports, which seem extensive. No immediate solutions present.
 
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AlNipper49

Huge Member
Dope
SoSH Member
Apr 3, 2001
44,851
Mtigawi
I've been in computers for almost 35 years now and random jumping mice are one of the hardest problems to diagnose. Can be video-related, OS-related or anything really. I just had a personal machine having a stuttering mouse issue which ended up being related to a slowly-overheating cpu (an internal cable was slowing down the CPU fan). Last year I had it when by monitor spanning software (Synergy) got all out of whack after an update. A few years prior it was video card drivers. It takes *forever* to isolate in some instances.
 

saintnick912

GINO!
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2004
4,967
Somerville, MA
I had a jumping mouse (tried 3 and they all did it) on a Pixelbook but only when using it through a dock to an external monitor. Thought it was the remote desktop software lagging, or the GPU not keeping up.

Turns out there is a PIxelbook bug where mice on external monitors are jumpy unless you turn on the "night light" mode. So I have that enabled with the color temp set to the coolest setting, and my mouse works great. So random.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

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Sep 9, 2006
7,874
SS Botany Bay
I don't correlate mouse issues with upgrade to Catalina, but who knows? Stranger and unexpected 2nd and 3rd order effects are not unknown.

Edit; Although, at lars10 suggestion, am working my way through Apple network MacOS Catalina problem reports, which seem extensive. No immediate solutions present.
That's why my first thought went to the Catalina OS upgrade. It has been notoriously problematic, especially on upgraded machines. If it is possible to downgrade your OS, that might be worth considering. Mojave has been far more stable. There isn't a whole lot in Catalina that is essential. Or, if you need Catalina and cannot cope with the mouse problem any longer, another more drastic action is to save all your work, wipe your hard drive, and do a clean install of everything.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2006
7,874
SS Botany Bay
I've been in computers for almost 35 years now and random jumping mice are one of the hardest problems to diagnose. Can be video-related, OS-related or anything really. I just had a personal machine having a stuttering mouse issue which ended up being related to a slowly-overheating cpu (an internal cable was slowing down the CPU fan). Last year I had it when by monitor spanning software (Synergy) got all out of whack after an update. A few years prior it was video card drivers. It takes *forever* to isolate in some instances.
Agreed. The overheating issue is in fact something that Catalina is known to cause more frequently than its predecessors. This particular OS is far too busy and requires constant cooling, whether it's a desktop or laptop computer. Collateral problems in peripherals would not surprise me.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,432
I feel really stupid, but can't seem to locate the cord needed to charge an Apple wireless mouse. It's a real "narrow" insertion point on the mouse of course and both my Amazon and google searches are being fruitless. Can anyone please give me an Amazon link or just tell me what model # for this part?

I really miss the old days pre-wireless but I know that makes me an old fogey. Not a tech guy here.

T.I.A.
 

MuzzyField

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
I feel really stupid, but can't seem to locate the cord needed to charge an Apple wireless mouse. It's a real "narrow" insertion point on the mouse of course and both my Amazon and google searches are being fruitless. Can anyone please give me an Amazon link or just tell me what model # for this part?

I really miss the old days pre-wireless but I know that makes me an old fogey. Not a tech guy here.

T.I.A.
it's a lighting cable... same as iPhone, iPad.