How to Fix Mouse Lag in CS:GO on Windows 11 – Complete Troubleshooting Guide

If you’re experiencing mouse lag while playing CS:GO on Windows 11, it can seriously affect your gameplay and accuracy. Mouse lag causes delayed or choppy cursor movements, making it hard to aim precisely. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix this issue.

This guide will walk you through simple to advanced solutions to eliminate mouse lag. Each step is explained clearly, so even beginners can follow along. By the end, you should have a smooth and responsive mouse experience in CS:GO.

Before diving into fixes, it’s important to understand some common causes of mouse lag. These include outdated drivers, conflicting software, incorrect game settings, or hardware issues. Addressing these systematically will help pinpoint and resolve the problem.

Let’s start with some quick checks to ensure your setup is ready for troubleshooting.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Check Your Mouse Connection: Ensure your mouse is properly connected to your PC. For wired mice, confirm the USB cable is secure. For wireless, check battery levels and signal strength.
Close Background Programs: Some applications can cause input lag. Close unnecessary programs, especially those that use high CPU or GPU resources.
Update Windows 11: Make sure your operating system is up to date. Windows updates can fix bugs and improve hardware compatibility.
Verify CS:GO System Requirements: Confirm your PC meets the minimum specifications for CS:GO to avoid performance issues.

Step 1: Update Your Mouse Drivers

Drivers are software that help Windows communicate with your mouse. Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause lag. Updating them can improve responsiveness.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Find and expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
Right-click your mouse device and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow prompts.
Restart your PC after the update completes.

If Windows can’t find a new driver, visit your mouse manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver manually.

Step 2: Adjust Mouse Settings in Windows

Windows provides settings that affect mouse speed and precision. Incorrect settings can cause lag or jittery movement.

Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
Go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.
Set the Pointer speed slider to a comfortable level (usually middle or slightly higher).
Click on Additional mouse settings on the right.
In the new window, go to the Pointer Options tab.
Uncheck Enhance pointer precision to reduce mouse acceleration, which can feel like lag.
Click Apply and OK.

Disabling pointer precision is recommended for gaming to make mouse movement more predictable.

Step 3: Optimize In-Game Mouse Settings

CS:GO has its own mouse settings that interact with Windows settings. Proper configuration reduces lag and improves accuracy.

Launch CS:GO and open the Settings menu.
Navigate to the Controller or Mouse settings tab.
Set Raw Input to Enabled. This bypasses Windows mouse settings and sends direct input to the game.
Disable Mouse Acceleration inside CS:GO for consistent movement.
Adjust the Mouse Sensitivity to your preference. Lower sensitivity can help reduce perceived lag.

Using Raw Input often fixes lag caused by Windows pointer settings interfering with the game.

Step 4: Disable Mouse Enhancements and Power Saving Features

Some Windows features and USB power management options can cause input lag by interrupting mouse signals.

Open Device Manager again.
Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Right-click each USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub and select Properties.
Go to the Power Management tab.
Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Click OK and repeat for all USB hubs.
Also, disable mouse-related enhancements in your mouse software if available.

Disabling power-saving prevents Windows from temporarily cutting power to your mouse, which can cause lag spikes.

Step 5: Adjust Graphics and Game Performance Settings

Low FPS or high system load can contribute to mouse lag in games. Ensuring smooth overall performance helps reduce input delay.

In CS:GO settings, lower graphics options such as texture quality, shadows, and effects.
Set the game’s resolution to match your monitor’s native resolution.
Enable Fullscreen mode instead of windowed or borderless, as fullscreen reduces input lag.
Close any unnecessary background applications that use CPU or GPU resources.

Maintaining a high and stable frame rate is crucial for responsive mouse movement.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, consider these advanced options:

Use USB 2.0 Ports: Some gaming mice work better on USB 2.0 ports rather than USB 3.0 or 3.1.
Increase USB Polling Rate: Some mouse software allows changing the polling rate (Hz). Increasing it can reduce lag but may increase CPU usage.
Disable Windows Game Mode: Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it off. Sometimes it interferes with input devices.
Check for Malware: Run a full system scan to rule out malware that could be affecting system performance.
Reinstall CS:GO: Corrupted game files can cause lag. Use the Steam client to verify or reinstall the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my mouse lagging only in CS:GO and not other applications?

CS:GO uses different input methods and game settings that can conflict with Windows mouse settings. Enabling Raw Input and disabling mouse acceleration in CS:GO usually solves this.

Can a high DPI setting cause mouse lag?

High DPI itself doesn’t cause lag, but if your sensitivity settings are mismatched or if your mouse or software struggles to handle high DPI, it might feel laggy. Adjust DPI and sensitivity to find a comfortable balance.

Is wireless mouse lag common in CS:GO?

Wireless mice can experience occasional lag due to signal interference or low battery. Using a wired mouse often provides more consistent performance for competitive gaming.

Does Windows 11 affect mouse performance in games?

Windows 11 is generally optimized for gaming, but some bugs or driver incompatibilities can cause issues. Keeping Windows and drivers updated helps maintain smooth performance.

Should I disable mouse acceleration everywhere?

For competitive FPS games like CS:GO, disabling mouse acceleration is recommended for consistent aiming. Outside of gaming, it’s a personal preference.

When Nothing Works

If after trying all the above steps mouse lag in CS:GO persists, consider the following:

Test Your Mouse on Another PC: This will help determine if the mouse hardware is faulty.
Contact Mouse Manufacturer Support: They may provide firmware updates or additional troubleshooting.
Visit Steam and CS:GO Forums: Other players may have similar issues and solutions specific to your mouse or system.
Check Microsoft Support: For Windows 11 related input issues, Microsoft’s official support can provide updates or patches.

As a last resort, consider using a different mouse known for gaming reliability to see if the problem resolves.

Conclusion

Mouse lag in CS:GO on Windows 11 can be frustrating but is usually fixable with systematic troubleshooting. Start by updating drivers and adjusting both Windows and in-game mouse settings. Disabling pointer precision and enabling Raw Input are key steps for better responsiveness.

Also, ensure your system runs smoothly by closing background apps and optimizing game settings. If needed, explore advanced adjustments like USB port changes and polling rate tweaks.

With patience and these detailed steps, you can enjoy accurate and lag-free mouse control, enhancing your CS:GO gaming experience.