This guide will show you how to adjust your mouse polling rate, a setting that dictates how often your mouse sends information to your computer. A higher polling rate can lead to more precise movements and better performance, especially in gaming, by reducing input delay. The optimal polling rate depends on your specific mouse and computer hardware.
How to change your mouse polling rate
There are several ways to adjust your mouse’s polling rate, depending on your device and preferences.
Using dedicated mouse buttons
- Locate dedicated buttons on your mouse. Many high-end gaming mice have specific buttons designed to change the polling rate.
- Press these buttons and observe if you notice a difference in performance.
- Using a higher polling rate can negatively impact the battery life of your mouse. Do not increase the polling rate beyond what is needed for your computer hardware and monitor.
Using keyboard number keys
- This method may work if your mouse supports a higher polling rate and the mouse wheel lights up upon success.
- For 125 Hz: Unplug your mouse from the USB port. Press and hold 4 and 5 simultaneously while you plug your mouse back in.
- For 500 Hz: Unplug your mouse from the USB port. Press and hold 5 while you plug your mouse back in.
- For 1000 Hz: Unplug your mouse from the USB port. Press and hold 4 while you plug your mouse back in.
Using the mouse’s official application
Many mouse manufacturers provide utility applications that allow you to adjust various mouse settings, including the polling rate.
- Razer Mouses: Download and install the Razer Synapse app. Open the app and select your mouse. Select Mouse > Performance > Polling rate. Then select your preferred polling rate.
- Logitech Mouses: Download and install the Logitech G Hub app. Open the app and select your mouse. Then click the Sensitivity (DPI) icon. Use the drop-down menu under “Report Rate (per second)” to select your polling rate.
- SteelSeries: Download and install the SteelSeries GG software suite. Open the SteelSeries Engine app and select your mouse. Then select your preferred polling rate using the menu to the right.
- Corsair Mouses: Download and install the Corsair iCUE app. Open the app and select your mouse under “Devices.” Click Settings at the top. Click the Mouse icon and use the drop-down next to “Polling Rate” to select your preferred polling rate.
- HyperX Mouses: Download and install HyperX NGenuity. Open that app and select your profile or create a new profile. Then click Performance in the menu to the right. Use the slider menu to adjust the polling rate. Then click Apply.
Using third-party software
If your mouse does not have a companion app, you might be able to use a third-party application designed for USB mouse overclocking. Note that this may not work for all mice.
- Go to https://github.com/LordOfMice/hidusbf/blob/master/hidusbf.zip in a web browser and click Download.
- Extract the contents of the ZIP file you just downloaded.
- Open the folder you just extracted.
- Open the “DRIVER” folder.
- Double-click the Setup.exe file.
- Click your mouse in the list of connected devices.
- Select your preferred polling rate using the drop-down menu next to “Selected Rate” at the bottom.
- Click Install Service at the bottom.
- Click Restart at the bottom.
How to check mouse polling rate
To verify your current or maximum mouse polling rate, you can use an online checker tool.
- Go to https://cps-check.com/polling-rate-check in a web browser.
- Click the green button that says Click to start.
- Move your mouse continuously in a circle.
- Continue for as long as you want without stopping mouse movement.
- Click to stop when you are finished.
- Note your average and maximum polling rate.
Why this matters?
Understanding and adjusting your mouse polling rate can significantly enhance your computing experience, particularly for gaming or other precision-demanding tasks. A higher polling rate means your mouse communicates more frequently with your computer, leading to smoother cursor movement and more responsive clicks. This can translate into a competitive edge in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts, or simply a more fluid and enjoyable interaction with your system.
However, it’s important to balance performance with hardware capabilities and battery life. Overly high polling rates on a system that can’t handle them might paradoxically introduce lag or drain wireless mouse batteries faster. By optimizing this setting, you ensure your mouse performs at its best without unnecessary strain on your hardware or power consumption.
