Cursor letting go of application (not dragging, but just the mouse is released from any application) at random, meaningless beachball sometimes afterwards.

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Cursor letting go of application (not dragging, but just the mouse is released from any application) at random, meaningless beachball sometimes afterwards.

I'm currently using Ventura as of late (ver. 13.0.1), but this has been an issue through several other major versions of macOS throughout the years, I've ran countless virus scans, trashed general caches via cleaning applications, and just can't find some kind of an article or ticket that pertains to my issue. Basically I could be using any applications that makes use of the mouse/cursor in a contained space (e.g. Minecraft, Roblox, etc.), and suddenly the cursor appears, completely removing me from whichever application I may be using, as if I clicked off of it onto Finder.

I want to know if this is a known bug and something simply has to be reset... I do have a 3rd party mouse and keyboard plugged in via USB, and I may've heard something about that being an issue, but there hasn't really been any report of this being an issue, or at least anything showing up with how I try to refer to it. Ask me any questions if more information is needed, but any and all help is very much appreciated! Thank you!! <3

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.0

Posted on Dec 1, 2022 8:48 AM

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Answer 1

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srbwanderer

Community Specialist

Dec 4, 2022 12:13 PM in response to CervidaeSika

Hello CervidaeSika,

We would suggest you concentrate on isolate exactly what is causing the issue.

Start by replacing the mouse and keyboard with an Apple mouse and keyboard. If everything works as it should, then this would indicate an issue with the 3rd party devices. Replace the mouse, and see if the issue returns. Then replace the keyboard. This should allow you to isolate what device is causing the problem.

If the issue continues with the Apple mouse and keyboard, we would suggest starting up the system in what is called safe mode. Safe mode only loads what is needed to run the computer. This can help isolate what is causing issues.

To start in safe mode, follow these steps:

1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.

2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.

3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

More information is available here: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

The computer will take longer to start in safe mode, and the screen may have some distorted video as it starts up. This is normal. Once you are logged in, use the system and test to see if the issue continues.

If everything seems to work as expected, go ahead and restart the computer normally and test again. There are steps outlined on what to do if the issue does or does not continue in safe mode.

Starting in safe mode also forces the computer to run some disk checks similar to First Aid. This can actually resolve some issues.

Have a good day.

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Cursor letting go of application (not dragging, but just the mouse is released from any application) at random, meaningless beachball sometimes afterwards.

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