External mouse creating lag

Question

External mouse creating lag

I like to use a mouse on my MacBook Pro 2015 13", but whenever I plug in a USB mouse, it lags whatever I'm using, if it's in a game my frames drop, if it's in a browser it becomes less responsive. This issue with the mouse does not happen when I'm using the trackpad, even while the USB mouse is plugged in, but once I move my USB mouse, it lags until I stop moving it. I have not seen this issue reported anywhere else, and it's been happening ever since I started using this Mac. The autonomous reply of using SafeBoot does not work, neither does updating, or even re-installing the OS. Please help :(

Posted on Jan 11, 2023 08:56 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MonoDeveloper Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 14, 2023 11:46 AM in response to AdvisorMP

Thank you for responding. I had also tried isolating those issues, but this strange occurrence happens when using any of my USB ports, with any mouse.

I tested Bluetooth with my PS5 DualSense Controller, and that worked without any lag, and when using an old Logitech Flight Stick that had a serial port adapter to USB. That's how old it was. And, using USB Overdrive (A third-party opensource app used for customizing how USB devices send inputs, aka if I tilted the flight stick up the mouse cursor would move up) I used the flight stick to use the mouse cursor, and that also didn't create any lag. So I don't really know why it's only USB mice.

It may be only a "minor problem", but it gets really annoying if you're moving the mouse during a video to change a setting or so and the video keeps freezing, or when playing a game normally with the mouse pad it's a nice 60 fps, yet when I want a mouse to play, it drops dramatically.

P.S. I changes the format because when I read your response, I realized that my problem was probably a pain to read compared to yours. Cheers.

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2023 10:22 AM in response to Chris_D13

I have tried all methods, including another account. It still happens, unfortunately.

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Answer 3

ASTRO24

Community Specialist

Jan 18, 2023 11:22 AM in response to MonoDeveloper

Hi MonoDeveloper,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities.

With your mouse lagging behind in multiple accounts, this appears to be a system-wide issue. Reset the NVRAM. This will not remove any content. NVRAM is in charge of your basic functions of your Mac.

"If you have an Intel-based Mac

If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, you're using an Intel-based Mac.

How to reset NVRAM

Option key Command key P key R key

Shut down your Mac.
Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, R.
Release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart. For example, you might hear a startup sound more than once, or see the Apple logo more than once.
When your Mac finishes starting up, you might need to adjust any system settings that were reset."

You can find these steps in Reset NVRAM on your Mac.

Regards.

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Answer 4

Chris_D13

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2023 05:13 PM in response to MonoDeveloper

Greetings MonoDeveloper,

Interference can cause performance issues with USB devices. To help further isolate the behavior, ensure a high-quality shielded USB cable is being used with the mouse, move the mouse away from wireless devices, and turn off any USB 3 devices that may not be in use.

Check out that suggestion here:

Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference - Apple Support

If you're using USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 devices with your computer, you can limit their potential to interfere with nearby wireless devices:

• Use a high-quality, shielded USB or Thunderbolt 3 cable with each device.

• Move your USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 devices—including any USB hubs—farther away from your wireless devices.

• Avoid placing USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 devices on top of your Mac.

• Turn off any USB 3 devices that aren't in use.

If the issue persists, then check and see if the issue is system-wide by testing with a different macOS user account. This may further isolate the issue. Check out those steps here: Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Add a user

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

2. Click the Add Account button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.)

3. Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.

4. Enter a full name for the new user. An account name is generated automatically. To use a different account name, enter it now—you can’t change it later.

5. Enter a password for the user, then enter it again to verify. Enter a password hint to help the user remember their password.

6. Click Create User.

Kind regards.

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Answer 5

AdvisorMP

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2023 08:54 AM in response to MonoDeveloper

Thanks for reaching out MonoDeveloper,

It sounds like you're noticing a performance drop when using a USB mouse. We can help.

It sounds like you've tried some great steps so far in ruling out software as a cause. From here, we can take a look at hardware next.

Have you been able to isolate the behavior to this particular mouse? If you can, try using a different USB mouse and see if the behavior continues. If it does, also try using a different USB port.

If there is improvement with a different mouse, then the issue is with the mouse you are using. If there is improvement when connected to a different USB port, it could indicate a problem with the port, how it is connected to the logic board, or the logic board itself.

Although it isn't in itself hardware related, are there any special drivers for this mouse? If there are, and they aren't installed the hardware might be working incorrectly due to that.

Hope that helps.

Take care.

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External mouse creating lag

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