My cursor keeps moving independently

[EdCrane]

The cursor keeps moving independently, either to the side or down the screen. In addition, the laptop gets very hot. I don't know if the two are related.

[Raj_05]

Hi @EdCrane,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP Spectre's cursor is moving independently, it can be frustrating and may indicate a hardware or software issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to try and resolve the problem.

• Check for external devices: Disconnect any external mouse or other pointing devices connected to your HP Spectre. Sometimes, external devices can interfere with the built-in trackpad or touchpad.
• Clean the trackpad or touchpad: Dust, dirt, or debris on the trackpad can cause erratic behavior. Gently clean the trackpad with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure there's no obstruction affecting its performance.
• Restart your laptop: A simple restart can often fix temporary glitches or software issues causing the cursor to move on its own.
• Update drivers: Ensure that your touchpad drivers are up to date. Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to various issues. You can visit HP's official website, find the support section for your specific model, and download the latest drivers for your touchpad.
• Disable touchscreen: If your HP Spectre has a touchscreen, try disabling it temporarily and see if the issue persists. Sometimes, touchscreen malfunctions can affect the cursor behavior.
• Run a malware scan: Malware or viruses can cause strange behavior on your computer, including erratic cursor movements. Use a reputable antivirus program to perform a full system scan.
• Adjust touchpad settings: Go to your computer's settings and navigate to the touchpad settings. You can try adjusting the sensitivity or disabling certain gestures to see if that helps.
• Check for Windows updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Microsoft frequently releases updates that can address various issues, including problems with hardware peripherals.
• Test in Safe Mode: Restart your laptop in Safe Mode to check if the issue persists. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and can help identify if any third-party software is causing the problem.
• Perform a system restore: If the issue started recently, you can try restoring your system to a point before the problem occurred. This can undo any recent changes that might have caused the cursor to misbehave.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support