Skip to main content

What to do when the mouse cursor lags?

Updated

Written for Synergy 3 (v3.7.2) and Synergy 1 (v1.21.4), checked 3 October 2026.

Operating system: Windows, macOS, and Linux

The most common cause for a mouse cursor to lag is a bad Wi-Fi connection. You can check if this is the issue by doing a ping test. For the steps, see: How to do a ping test

The best solution is to use an ethernet cable. If your ethernet network is in another room, or you don't have one, then you could set up an ethernet network. If your computers don't have ethernet ports, you may need to purchase a USB ethernet adapter. For the options, see: How to fix lag issues by using an ethernet connection

All operating systems

Set the log level back to Info on every computer. A higher log level can cause lag:

  • Synergy 3: in the sidebar, under Advanced, click Troubleshooting, then set Log level to Info (instead of Debug, Debug 1 or Debug 2).
  • Synergy 1: open Preferences, click the Logs tab, then set Level to Info (instead of Debug or Verbose), and click Save.

Windows and Linux

There are currently no known issues in Synergy 1 or Synergy 3 on Windows and Linux that cause mouse lag. Other than slow Wi-Fi, the only possible cause is a problem with the computer's CPU or memory.

macOS

On macOS, the Wi-Fi adapter can sometimes lag randomly. This is also known as a "ping spike" (named after the 'ping' tool). This Wi-Fi lag could affect your experience, causing mouse lag where the mouse cursor movement appears delayed or choppy. Generally, mouse lag happens on macOS when the Mac is a client computer (Synergy 1) or a secondary computer (Synergy 3), not the one sharing its keyboard and mouse.

Some people suspect AWDL (the wireless link AirDrop uses) causes this. You can turn AWDL off until the Mac restarts:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Run the following command:
    sudo ifconfig awdl0 down

AirDrop won't work while AWDL is off.

Handoff (macOS)

Try turning off Handoff. The Handoff feature can update the clipboard continuously, causing lag:

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
  2. Click General in the sidebar, then AirDrop & Handoff.
  3. Turn off Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.

On macOS 12 or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then deselect Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.

Related to

Related articles