Linux

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Solving your Linux mouse cursor problems

This directory contains documentation and scripts to try and help you fix your frozen/malfunctioning mouse cursor (mouse pointer, or just cursor) on Linux.

Note: some scripts only work for certain configurations. You can find your desktop environment in settings >> about

Basic troubleshooting

If it is a one time thing, you can close programs with alt + f4 and you can save your files with CTRL + s (to save playlists in VLC Media Player, the shortcut is CTRL + Y) sometimes, the issue may resolve on its own after a few programs are closed. If not keep closing until you get to the desktop and see if it responds. If not, try the tricks below, or reboot your system by pressing the power button and pressing TAB until you get to restart or shutdown (you should NOT power down your system by holding down the power button unless the keyboard isn't responding as well, this should be a last resort)

Common programs

GNOME Extensions

If not already installed, GNOME Extensions give you control of desktop icons, the dock, and app indicators. Turning the first 2 off and turning them back on may fix the mouse problem.

GNOME Tweaks

If not already installed, GNOME Tweaks offers various ways of tweaking the appearance and control of your Linux/GNOME system.

1. Try: General >> Screen animations try turning this off. It can help sometimes, although it can make using your system a lot more bland

2. No other options currently available for this program

Compiz

Compiz is a powerful desktop customization tool. It can unfortunately be the problem. If you have compiz installed and want to test, try:

pkill compiz

Be careful with this command, as it will break compiz for your current session, although it should work again after a reboot.

Mouse reinstallation

To reinstall your mouse, try this script:

modprobe -r psmouse # for removing it

If you don't have permissions, add a sudo (I promise this is safe, I did it myself on my main machine):

sudo modprobe -r psmouse # for removing it

Then add the mouse back by using this script:

modprobe psmouse # for adding it

If you still don't have proper permissions, add a sudo again. Also, again, I promise that this is safe:

sudo modprobe psmouse # for adding it

Note: this method doesn't always work.

You can see the scripts here

I got these examples from the Unix stackexchange @ https://unix.stackexchange.com/a/522446

If all else fails

If all else fails, a reboot might be needed. If that doesn't work, or you don't want to/can't reboot, always remember that you can use your computer without a mouse. If you have a touchscreen, you can use that to replace the mouse, but you should probably try to learn how to use your computer without your mouse and without touch input.

To open a terminal, type ctrl + alt + tab

To switch between programs, type alt + tab keep pressing until you get to a program you need

To submit information in a web browser, type ctrl + enter

To close a window, press alt + f4 (yes, this does work on Linux, it isn't specific to Windows)

You will likely be using the tab and enter keys very frequently (tab switches to the next available button/element)

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