Fix Mouse Cursor Not Locking to Game in Windows 11

It’s possible that you’ve experienced the mouse cursor not locking to the game window in Windows 11/10 intermittently. This problem can manifest in various ways; for instance, the cursor may fail to lock in specific games like Minecraft, or it might affect all games simultaneously. Such occurrences can disrupt your gaming enjoyment, necessitating a swift solution. In this article, we will explore effective ways to tackle this issue.

How to Fix the Mouse Cursor Not Locking to Games in Windows 11/10

When your mouse cursor does not lock within the game on your computer, the first step is to ensure both the game and the operating system are up to date. Following that, consider these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart your game or launcher.
2. Reset the Game Bar.
3. Enable LUA (Limit User Account).
4. Update or reinstall the Mouse and Touchpad drivers.
5. Disable Enhanced Pointer Precision.

Let’s delve into each of these solutions in detail.

1] Restart the Game or Launcher

First, try a fundamental approach by restarting the game or the launcher you’re utilizing. This can help eliminate any glitches causing the issue. Restart the application and verify if the problem persists.

2] Reset the Game Bar

If you’re using the Xbox Game Bar while gaming, it might be either corrupted or incorrectly configured. In such a case, resetting or repairing the Game Bar is advisable. Take the following steps:

• Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
• Navigate to System > System Components.
• Locate Game Bar, click on the three dots, and select Advanced Options.
• Click on Repair. If this doesn’t work, proceed to click on Reset.

After completing these steps, check if the issue is resolved.

3] Enable LUA

LUA (Limit User Account) helps manage User Access Control (UAC) settings, but due to potential bugs, it can also interfere with mouse cursor behavior. If it’s disabled, you may face cursor movement issues. To rectify this, ensure LUA is enabled in the registry. Before making any modifications, it’s prudent to back up the registry to restore it if necessary. Follow these steps:

1. Access the Registry Editor via the Start Menu.
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
3. Find EnableLUA, double-click on it, and set its Value data to 1.

After making these changes, restart your computer and see if the problem continues. If it was already set to 1, change it to 0, restart, switch it back to 1, reboot again, and check for updates.

4] Update or Reinstall Mouse and Touchpad Drivers

If this cursor issue isn’t exclusive to a singular game and occurs across all titles you attempt to play, your mouse driver may have problems. To address this, download the latest version of your mouse or touchpad driver.

Uninstall the existing driver instance and then install the newly downloaded version. Additionally, updating your Graphics drivers may also yield positive results.

5] Disable Enhanced Pointer Precision

The Enhanced Pointer Precision setting adjusts cursor speed depending on mouse movement. While it usually enhances user experience, a bug might cause it to disrupt your gameplay. To fix this, we recommend disabling this option. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.
3. Click on Additional mouse settings.
4. Go to Pointer Options and disable Enhance pointer precision.
5. Lastly, click Apply > OK.

Re-launch the game and verify if the problem persists.

How Can I Lock the Mouse in Game on Windows 11?

Typically, when you start a game, the mouse should lock automatically to prevent erratic movement. If you still face issues, consider downloading Dual Monitor Tools. After installation, run “DMT,” navigate to Cursor > General, and assign a keyboard shortcut for locking the cursor to the screen, allowing you to easily lock it whenever necessary.

What to Do if My Mouse Cursor Disappears in Windows 11?

If your mouse pointer vanishes, you can refer to the solutions outlined in this article. Sometimes, the cursor isn’t absent but simply hard to find on a large screen. To address this, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Related settings > Pointer Options, and check the box for “Show location of pointer when I press the Ctrl key.”

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.