[Fix] Mouse Pointer Freezes, Lags or Other Problems While Playing Games in Windows 8.1
It seems there are 2 major problems in Windows 8.1 which many people are facing. One problem is related to fonts on screen where the text looks blurry and hard to read. This problem has been addressed in following topic:
[Fix] Bold, Blurry or Hard to Read Font Problem in Windows 8.1
The other problem is related to games. Many Windows 8.1 users have reported about mouse pointer related issues while playing certain games such as Call of Duty, Counter Strike, Hitman, Half Life and Tomb Raider. Sometimes the mouse pointer freezes or lags when the user tries to play games in Windows 8.1. It doesn’t matter how much RAM or how advanced processor your computer system has, the mouse pointer always stutters while playing some selected games in Windows 8.1.
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Many times some Windows 8.1 users also notice that the mouse pointer is either very large or very small in certain games compared to the default size of mouse pointer in other places such as Desktop, Explorer, etc.
Both of these problems occur due to some newly introduced features in Windows 8.1 such as changes in mouse input processing and bitmap scaling for certain desktop applications. These new or improved features cause certain games in Windows 8.1 to behave differently compared to previous Windows versions and that’s why some users face problems while playing games in Windows 8.1.
If you are also having issues related to mouse pointer while playing games in Windows 8.1, you should try following methods to fix those issues:
METHOD 1: Using Compatibility Options
Running an application or game in compatibility mode is the best and most popular solution to fix various issues in Windows. In this method we’ll force the game to run in compatibility mode with display scaling disabled.
1. Right-click on game’s shortcut icon and select Properties.
If the game shortcut is present in form of a tile on Start Screen, right-click on the tile and click on “Open file location” option given in bottom bar. It’ll open the folder containing game shortcut icon. Now right-click on it and select Properties.
2. Now go to “Compatibility” tab and enable “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings” option.
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3. Apply the changes and try to run the game again. Now you should not face mouse pointer related issues while playing the game.
If problem persists, you can also try to enable other options in compatibility tab such as “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8” or 7 or other previous versions, etc.
METHOD 2: Install Official Hotfix from Microsoft
Microsoft has also released an official hotfix “KB2908279” to fix several mouse pointer related issues while playing games in Windows 8.1.
You can download and install the hotfix using following links:
- Download Game Hotfix for Windows 8.1 (32-bit)
- Download Game Hotfix for Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
- Download Game Hotfix for Windows Server 2012 R2
Install the hotfix and restart your system. It should solve various game related problems in Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2.
Also Check: Fix Problems While Installing or Upgrading to Windows 8.1
VG, you, sir, are a genius. Thank you very much. 🙂
There’s this problem with laptops using a sandy bridge processor. Unfortunately I’m using an Acer Aspire 5349 which has SB Celeron dual core processor. Intel hasn’t released display drivers for Win 8.1 and therefore no metro app actually works. They jus keep on crashing. Had to revert back to Win 8 🙁
Reference for the display driver: intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-033838.htm
VG My problem is not fixed yet. I still have some issues with playing GTA IV. Mouse pointer and graphics texture freezes while playing GTA IV. My System SPECS
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz
4 GB RAM
1 TB HDD
nVidia GT 640m and hd 4500.
This game worked well on Windows 8 and 7.
@Ruben Fernandes
Have you tried getting the latest Intel HD Graphics drivers for Windows 8. My Asus X401A that comes with Intel Celeron B820 (Sandy Bridge) works fine with Windows 8.1 even if I’m just using the latest graphics drivers for Windows 8.
In order for you to be able to get the latest graphics drivers, you must use the “Intel Driver Update Utility”:
intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect?iid=dc_iduu
Depending on which browser you’re using, it’ll prompt you to allow a browser plug-in to be installed. Allow it and once it’s done, it’ll start searching for the latest drivers available for your computer. From there, you’ll be able to download the latest Intel Graphics driver.
Hope that helps.
sir, when i open properties of my computer in win 8 after some time my explorer restart . Why this so ? Help !
Thanks VG. Always very interesting info from you.
@Bandhan Islam : Have you installed the hotfix?
@Paul Kevin Estanislao
thanks for ya help…ive actually tried that…intel doesn’t detect any drivers for my pc. Tho ive done it manually too, metro apps jus seem to keep on crashin, infact rite after Microsoft upgrades my drivers, so its a complete lose-lose situation for me.
Guess imm stuck with win 8 for quite a while till I get the win 8.1 driver release, or could u advice me further?
@Ruben Fernandes
Guess I’ll just give you the download link of the graphics driver I’m using on my Windows 8.1 laptop. You can download the driver here:
32-bit version:
downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&changeLang=true&DwnldId=23101
64-bit version:
downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&changeLang=true&DwnldId=23102
If the driver still doesn’t work for you, I suggest that you should visit Acer’s Support page or contact them for further support.
@Paul Kevin Estanislao
I’m actually usin the same driver. But with no success 🙁 acer has a version which is lower in version n doesn’t work either.
@Ruben Fernandes
Sorry to hear that it isn’t working for you. You should try telling this issue to those folks at Microsoft Answers website:
answers.microsoft.com/en-us
I strongly suggest that you should give them all the details regarding your problem because Microsoft is clearly at fault here for changing the way how drivers work with Windows 8.1.
Hey VG in the following link is another major problem users are facing after upgrading to windows 8.1, maybe u want to write a article for the same:
answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/laptop-wont-wake-from-sleep-after-upgrading-to/563032a1-eb45-46da-a36b-880c68dff59b?page=1
-13th Nov. 2013,01:55 GMT
File Explorer (explorer.exe) Crashes in Windows 8.1 how to fix this problem
^^ Please provide proper details. When does it crash and what exact error message do you receive? Does it crash when you open any specific folder?
i didnt get any error. while doing work on my dell laptop everytimes explorer restart automatically after few minutes.
^^ It might be a 3rd party software problem. Did you install any tweaking software to customize Explorer functionality? Any theme or skin pack or software to enable Aero glass, etc?
i just only install yours registry tweak for windows8.1
^^ No, that will not cause any problem. You can try sfc /scannow command to repair system files. If you can afford, you can try to reset/refresh your PC as well.
Windows 8.1: does ANYONE know how to get the mouse to respond in a timely fashion, without the cursor disappearing, getting lost, and taking a vacation for 5, 10, 15, or even 30 seconds at a time?
John: use a different flavor of cheese
Windows Support: you may have accidentally bumped the Fn key which turns off the mouse. Depending upon your make and model computer, that may be F5, F9, or less likely, F6 or F7. Press your computer Fn key which toggles the mouse.
Windows 8.1: Your cursor has likely moved from Display 1 to Display 2. You may have turned off Display 2, or you may not have a Display 2 at all.
Start -> Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Display -> Screen Resolution -> Multiple displays -> Show desktop only on 1
Click Apply and OK.
i changed my 32bit to 64bit why is my mouse pointer stuck when i long press F5 (refresh) but when i was in 32bit i can move the mouse pointer while long pressing the refresh hotkey(F5)
I have a symbol attached to my mouse pointer example egg timer or spinning circle “sony vaio windows 8” how do I solve this problem cheers.
I am having this issue with the mouse when the computer is restarted and just in the windows 8.1environment. When moving the mouse it just freezes or pauses for a few seconds. I would love to play my games but because of this happening today. I think that my game play would be hurt by it. I wonder now if a windows update did this at all. I am using a wireless mouse and keyboard, but put in new batteries to make sure it wasn’t have and it’s still doing the same thing. I keep tracking it in the computer, but see if it was virus or resource hog, but can’t find any evidence at this time. This just started happening to me. I am going to play anyways to see what happens. I play in Steam Company of Heros 2.
I am having exact same mouse pointer issue except it is not with games. I am not playing games. Any ideas?
The pointer on Laptop got stuck….does not move at all;I am not using a mouse.Please help!
Win 8.1 came installed on computer. Cursor super-sensitive:
Freecell: When moving card to another stack, will not place card on stack. Card flies up to park area (upper left.)
Jigsaw Daily Challenge, Jigsaw Jammer: When moving piece to insert in place, does not accept as sufficient placement (but does let piece stay in place) and shows “chain broken”. So I can never earn enough points when I almost always was able to before.
I slowed down the mouse to slowest point, but makes no difference.
????
Hi, I know that my comment isn’t relevant to the topic written here but I have the problem for a long time.So,what about nero 2015 compatibility fix for windows server 2012?
Thanks in advance.
My all game were working but when I upgraded it window 8.1 they all stopped working whenever i launch them back screen comes and it always show game have stopped working wibdow will collect info. And notify you plz plz plz help me out from thesE
^^ Seems like a graphics card driver problem. Make sure the latest drivers have been installed. You can check on Windows Update or your computer manufacturer website.
I am not computer savvy at all. I have a desktop comp. I have microsoft classic jigsaw. The game freezes when it unfreezes the pieces go all over the screen. I have called microsoft no one knows what to do they send me from one extension to another. Then, the last person said well, ” if you pay us to look at it we will”. For a game. I get the games with my microsoft office. When I looked at the support page, a lot of people are having a problem and don’t know what to do. Can you help?
^^ It might be a bug in the game. You can try to run the game in compatibility mode. Right-click on the shortcut and select properties. Now go to compatibility mode and play around the available options. Apply changes and then try to run the game.