Cursor Keeps Moving to the Left When Typing: FIXED

You are probably reading this guide because your cursor keeps moving to the left when typing in a Word document. This problem can be quite annoying because it can drastically slow down productivity, and if you do not know how to effectively troubleshoot the error, it could stop you from working.

This problem arises due to various factors such as a bug installed in your computer, misconfigured mouse settings, or conflicts with third-party programs. Regardless of the cause, this article will walk you through some of the techniques to quickly fix this problem and get your system up and running.

Run this quick check before heading over to our more advanced solutions.

• The first thing you would want to do is to check the mouse surface to ensure that there are no scratches or uneven areas on it, as this could also cause the problem.
• Next, verify every hardware component that could cause this problem, especially areas like the USB ports, mouse cables, or battery power if you make use of a wireless mouse.

If the problem persists after taking the steps above, go ahead with our more comprehensive solutions below.

1. Run the Windows hardware troubleshooter

The Windows hardware troubleshooter can help automatically fix errors related to Windows hardware and can potentially resolve this issue. To run this troubleshooter, follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic in the text field and hit Enter.
   
   
2. Select the Advanced option, click the checkbox for Apply repairs automatically, and select Next to start the troubleshooting process.
   
3. Finally, check if the problem persists.

2. Modify touchpad settings

The cursor will move at the slightest touch if the touchpad sensitivity on your laptop is set too high. As a result, you ought to check the sensitivity setting. Here’s how to adjust your laptop’s touchpad sensitivity.

1. Open the system Settings by holding Windows + I together.
2. Next, select Bluetooth & devices from the left bar, and pick Touchpad from the right.
   
3. Under Taps, change the touchpad sensitivity using the drop-down menu.
   

3. Change the mouse pointer speed

If the issue is brought on by unintentional contact with the touchpad while typing, changing the mouse pointer speed can help if the cursor keeps going to the left. If the pointer speed is too high, it may move with just a light touch.

1. Hold the Windows + I keys to bring up the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Devices > Mouse then select Additional mouse options.
3. Go to the Pointer Options tab, and use the slider to set the cursor speed.
   
4. Lastly, choose Apply and OK to save your settings.

4. Disable the touchpad

It is possible to unintentionally touch the touchpad while typing and shift the cursor. If your touchpad is sensitive, this can happen more frequently. By turning off the touchpad, you can rule out this possibility and stop the cursor from accidentally moving to the left.

1. Open the system Settings by holding Windows + I together.
2. Next, select Bluetooth & devices from the left bar, and pick Touchpad from the right.
   
3. Now, disable the Touchpad toggle.
   

5. Update your mouse drivers

You might need to download new drivers to fix an old or corrupted mouse if you want to restore their functionality. It’s worth trying because problematic drivers might have a detrimental impact on your hardware.

1. Hold the Windows + R keys together to bring up the Run dialogue, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Double-click on the Mice and other pointing devices option, locate the faulty mouse, right-click on it, and choose Update driver.
   
3. Next, choose Search automatically for drivers.
   
4. After the search is complete, reboot your PC to implement the changes.

6. Turn off the Snap To feature

When using installers, alert boxes, or setup tools, your cursor will automatically move to the default selection if the Snap To functionality is activated. You should disable it if you find it annoying and don’t want to always use the default setting.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Device > Mouse > Pointer options.
3. Next, open the Pointer options tab, and uncheck the box for Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box.
   
4. Finally, click Apply.

Wrapping things up

If your cursor keeps moving to the left when typing, the steps outlined in this article will help you easily resolve this problem. The steps in this guide have not been arranged in any particular order so be sure to start with any solution that best fits your situation.

If you have further questions, reach out to us via the comment section below.