Cursor jumping around on external display since M1

[RutgerB]

Hi

Since buying a M1 Macbook Air heb and now a Macbook Pro M1 Pro, my mouse cursor frequently jumps around on the external display.
Added a screencapture below.

• Happens on two Macbook Airs (M1) and a Macbook Pro (M1 Pro)
• Testes three different external displays (of which two 4k, other one I don't know resolution)
• Tested in three different buildings
• Happens with external mouse and touchpad
• Happens with HDMI cable, USB-C and Displayport cable

It's not ALWAYS happening, cursor jumps around for about 20% of the time.
Screen capture: (cursor jumps back a couple of times)
https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/cs.misc/IMG_8929+2.mov

Slow-motion screen capture: (about halfway the cursor jumps)
https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/cs.misc/cursor-slomo.mov

Looks like a Mac OS Bug?


Thanks!
Rutger

 

[jwahaus]

If you're using a wireless mouse (you don't say) what you're experiencing is likely RF interference from some nearby source. Most cables that do not have ferrite rings attached near the ends will produce RF interference. When I was having similar issues with my bluetooth mouse I solved the issue by purchasing ferrite chokes and putting them on all the cables I was using that didn't already have them.

They are inexpensive and readily available on Ebay: Ferrite chokes

 

[RutgerB]

If you're using a wireless mouse (you don't say) what you're experiencing is likely RF interference from some nearby source. Most cables that do not have ferrite rings attached near the ends will produce RF interference. When I was having similar issues with my bluetooth mouse I solved the issue by purchasing ferrite chokes and putting them on all the cables I was using that didn't already have them.

They are inexpensive and readily available on Ebay: Ferrite chokes

Thank you for taking the time to share that information.

I have the same issue when using a wireless mouse and when using the touchpad.

I tested in three different buildings to rule out a random device producing interference.

 

[BanditoB]

Contact Apple Support and have them look into it for you.

 

[darknetone]

Perhaps it is a mouse issue, have you tried a different mouse? That's all i got. I two, well 3 monitors (if I include the MBPs display) and no problems with my BT mouse or my non-BT wireless mouse.

 

[Coburg]

Perhaps it is a mouse issue, have you tried a different mouse? That's all i got. I two, well 3 monitors (if I include the MBPs display) and no problems with my BT mouse or my non-BT wireless mouse.

Which mouse do you use?

 

[darknetone]

Which mouse do you use?

I have two mice, my BT mouse is a cheap chinese moust I ordered off of Amazon and I have a logitech T400 which uses a dongle that I have plugged into my docking station. Neither mouse exhibit any problems when running on the docking station or otherwise. My Docking station is a WavLink USB-C Ultra 5K.

 

[RutgerB]

Which mouse do you use?

I have the issue with the following input devices:

1. Logitech MX Master
2. Logitech MX Master 3
3. Built-in Macbook Air touchpad M1
4. Built-in Macbook Pro touchpad M1 Pro

 

[darknetone]

I have the issue with the following input devices:

1. Logitech MX Master
2. Logitech MX Master 3
3. Built-in Macbook Air touchpad M1
4. Built-in Macbook Pro touchpad M1 Pro

Are you running any drivers?

 

[RutgerB]

Are you running any drivers?

I didn't know you can install drivers on a Mac, so I guess not?

Can I check somehow?

 

[darknetone]

I didn't know you can install drivers on a Mac, so I guess not?

Can I check somehow?

Sorry I actually meant Logic Tech software for customization and for pairing devices with a Unified receiver.

I am just tossing things out to check; Anyway that may or may not help as up can update firmware on some logitech devices. AS far as the Unified received stuff goes you could make sure you have no additional devices paired that you don't want. If you have other Unified receivers on other systems running you could make sure check those to make sure you mouse is not "double paired" if that is even possible, but is still worth looking into.

I hope this helps. If not I'd hop on an Apple support forum.

 

[ArkSingularity]

I've had the same thing happen on my M1 Macbook Pro. Both the internal and the external screen do it when it starts to occur. It's intermittent, I pretty much have to restart the computer when it happens and it usually resolves itself.

 

[RutgerB]

Sorry I actually meant Logic Tech software for customization and for pairing devices with a Unified receiver.

I am just tossing things out to check; Anyway that may or may not help as up can update firmware on some logitech devices. AS far as the Unified received stuff goes you could make sure you have no additional devices paired that you don't want. If you have other Unified receivers on other systems running you could make sure check those to make sure you mouse is not "double paired" if that is even possible, but is still worth looking into.

I hope this helps. If not I'd hop on an Apple support forum.

Okay thanks. Will check and look at Apple support.

 

[mi7chy]

It's a mouse cursor lag issue with no known permanent fix and not specific to any MacOS version since happens on Big Sur and Monterey. People think the cause is iGPU is stuck in low power mode. Temporary workaround is to try rebooting or changing to different resolution and back.

 

[Eter]

I have the same issue with multiple logitech mice and M1 Mac mini and M1 Pro Macbook.
Tried all the possible fixes I could find, and nothing helps. Looks like the issue is unsolvable for now, still present in the latest Ventura beta.

 

[RutgerB]

I have the same issue with multiple logitech mice and M1 Mac mini and M1 Pro Macbook.
Tried all the possible fixes I could find, and nothing helps. Looks like the issue is unsolvable for now, still present in the latest Ventura beta.

Just found out about someone else yesterday who has the same issue as well.

Can't believe such a critical thing doesn't work properly for so many people

 

[xraydoc]

Just found out about someone else yesterday who has the same issue as well.

Can't believe such a critical thing doesn't work properly for so many people

So many? I suspect this is a rare issue.

Nonetheless, if it’s happening with multiple computers of yours and multiple different pointing devices, I’d look at what software is on your machine. I’m suspecting there’s something you’ve installed on both Macs causing some hiccups with the pointer. Something running in the background. Are you running any anti-virus software?

 

[RutgerB]

So many? I suspect this is a rare issue.

Nonetheless, if it’s happening with multiple computers of yours and multiple different pointing devices, I’d look at what software is on your machine. I’m suspecting there’s something you’ve installed on both Macs causing some hiccups with the pointer. Something running in the background. Are you running any anti-virus software?

No, not running anti-virus.

I'll try with a guest account to see if that one has the same issue, should confirm that no running software issue right?

 

[xraydoc]

No, not running anti-virus.

I'll try with a guest account to see if that one has the same issue, should confirm that no running software issue right?

Probably, unless you've installed some kind of system extension (which are usually for hardware support). For example, the OWC Dock eject tool which contains a driver for high-powered USB ports to support the Apple SuperDrive. Just an example, as this driver is not reported to cause any anomalous behaviors.

 

[RutgerB]

Just bought an Apple Studio Display as I assumed it would work on Apple's own hardware.

Nope. Still that good 'ol choppy cursor.

When using the default resolution and when using scaled resolutions.

Will test for system extensions @xraydoc.

 

[RutgerB]

In case anyone visits this thread again because they have the same issue:

Logi Options appeared to have caused the lag in the cursor.
Even when using the trackpad.

I'm going to try the new Logi Options+ soon, perhaps it solves the issue.
In the meantime, I uninstalled Logi Options.

Logi Options+ (Plus): Customization App for Logitech Devices

Enhance your Logitech devices with Logi Options Plus software. Customize settings, create shortcuts, and increase productivity. Download now for free.

www.logitech.com

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated!!

 

[RutgerB]

Oops, issue NOT solved, just was gone for a while:
https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/cs.misc/IMG_9408.MOV

 

[fjnrte]

My cursor just jumps around after mid-movement like every 10s. It isn't much, but say on a 13" screen, if I move fast, it can jump 5cm.

I use a Mac Mini M1 and Logitech G Pro wireless & MagicMouse (they both have the same issue).

I disabled the mouse sharing with my iPad, just in case that might've been the issue, but it keeps on going.

I read somewhere it might be because of external drives (I have 2 NVMe enclosures, one thunderbolt3 the other usb-c 3.2), but no... I removed them and nothing happened.

Anyone with solution?

*see in my recording how the cursor just jumps to the left

 

[ricky7171]

Hi RutgerB and Fjnrte, I also got exactly same problem. previously I thought it's because my logitech mouse, and then I just realize it's not because my logictech mouse. I'll explain why it's not because my mouse.

So I have two laptop (M1 and windows). on both laptop I install software called "sharemouse". This software used to control another laptop using current laptop. So for example, I can control the cursor on my windows laptop from my mac laptop. for the details about this software, you can find on youtube. Then I try using my mouse to control my M1 laptop from my windows laptop. First, I see that my mouse work properly in my windows laptop, there is no any jump pointer bug. Then I move my pointer to my mac laptop (it's "share mouse" feature), and it's jumping like on RutgerB video. So from that experiment, I believe it's not because my mouse. Maybe there is an bug in my M1

Ok, I understand that maybe my problem with RutgerB problem is different, but I just have feeling it's same problem and should be have same root cause. Until now I still didn't find the solution.

So my question, RutgerB and Fjnrte, do you have any solution until now ? if yes, please share it. Thank you.

 

[fjnrte]

Hi. I am in the middle of my exams, so I cannot test this fully. However, I think I got my issue solved, but only temporarily.

Compared to RutgerB's issue where his cursor seems to also ghost a bit, mine just jumps around skipping.

I have unplugged everything (ssd's, usb hubg, dac and others), then restarted my Mac. I then plugged the receiver directly in the usb-A port. It works great.

Then I plugged back one item at-a-time and left-out my usb-A hub (connected to my ups, logi camera and (custom and wired) keyboard). I'm one of those people that likes a lot to use Universal Control for the keyboard, but I must have the mouse connected directly to the Mac (due to the Universal Control's behavior... another whole topic).

So right now, IT WORKS. But only with my usb-A hub out (not sure if it is the hub or something connected to it or maybe something completely different).

I will look more into it after my exams. But I would suggest unplugging everything and restarting (if you haven't do so already) and if this doesn't work, try making a new user on your Mac (so you can exclude interference from any background process, but make sure to "close" the other background processes when you switch).