Double mouse pointer

Question

Two pointers show up on my screen, and they move and blink uncontrollably.

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Moved from Microsoft 365 and Office | Other

Answer 1

Hi @Joyce Wishart

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum 

Regarding your issue, this usually happens when Windows is receiving conflicting input signals, such as two pointing devices being active at the same time (for example, a USB/Bluetooth mouse plus a touchpad or touchscreen), or when there’s a driver or software glitch causing the cursor to jump or blink. 

Here are a few steps you can try:

1. Disable the Touchscreen  

• Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. 
• Expand Human Interface Devices. 
• Right-click HID-compliant touch pad and select Properties > Driver > Disable device. 
• Check if the second pointer vanishes. 

2. Check for Inputs in Settings

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse > Additional Mouse Settings. 
• Under the Pointer Options tab, ensure Display pointer trails is turned OFF. If this is on and glitching, it can look like multiple pointers are "stuck" on screen. 

3. Reinstall Graphics and Mouse Drivers

• In Device Manager, expand Mice and other pointing devices. 
• Right-click your mouse and select Uninstall device, then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall a fresh driver. 
• Do the same for your Display adapters if the blinking persists. 

Hopefully it will help work with your issue and if you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.    

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Answer 2

Having two mouse pointers on your screen can be caused by a few different issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem:

1. Check for Multiple Input Devices: Ensure that you do not have multiple pointing devices connected to your computer, such as a mouse and a touchpad. Disconnect any additional devices to see if that resolves the issue.
2. Update Mouse Drivers: Outdated or corrupted mouse drivers can cause erratic behavior. Check for updates to your mouse drivers through the Device Manager.
3. Adjust Mouse Settings: Sometimes, settings related to mouse speed or pointer precision can cause issues. You can access mouse settings through the Control Panel or Settings app to adjust these settings.
4. Check for Software Conflicts: Certain software applications may interfere with mouse functionality. Try closing any applications that might be using mouse input or check for any third-party mouse management software that may be causing conflicts.
5. Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches that might cause the double pointer issue.

If the problem persists after trying these steps, it may be worth checking for hardware issues with the mouse itself or consulting with technical support for further assistance.

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References:

• Windows 7 Mouse and Pointers
• Manage mouse pointers