What polling rate means and why you might want to change it

Polling rate is how often your mouse tells your computer where it is — measured in hertz (Hz), or times per second. A mouse with a 125 Hz polling rate reports its position 125 times per second. A mouse with 1000 Hz reports 1000 times per second.

Higher polling rates mean your cursor responds faster to your hand movements. For gaming, especially fast-paced games like shooters or fighting games, a higher polling rate can reduce the delay between moving your mouse and seeing the cursor move on screen. For everyday work like email or web browsing, the difference is not noticeable. Lower polling rates use slightly less power and can reduce USB bandwidth use on older computers.

Most modern gaming mice let you change the polling rate. Some mice are locked at one rate and cannot be changed. Budget mice often default to 125 Hz, while gaming mice often default to 1000 Hz.

Key Takeaways

  • Polling rate is how many times per second your mouse reports its position to your computer, and most gaming mice let you change it through software or a button on the mouse itself.
  • The method to change polling rate depends on your mouse model — some use dedicated software, some use an onboard button, and some use BIOS settings on your motherboard.
  • You need to know your exact mouse model to find the right software or instructions, which you can find on the manufacturer's website or in the box your mouse came in.
  • Changing polling rate does not require administrator access on Windows or Mac, but you do need to install the mouse manufacturer's software if that is how your mouse works.

Find your mouse model and check if it supports polling rate changes

Not every mouse lets you change the polling rate. Budget mice and older mice often do not. Gaming mice almost always do, but the method varies by brand and model.

Look at the bottom or side of your mouse for a model number or name. Common gaming brands include Logitech, Razer, SteelSeries, Corsair, and ASUS. Once you have the model name, go to the manufacturer's website and search for your mouse. Download the software or driver if one exists — this is usually called "software," "driver," "control panel," or "settings app."

If you cannot find the model number, check the box your mouse came in, the receipt, or search your browser history for the purchase. You can also plug the mouse into a Windows computer and open Device Manager (right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, then expand "Mice and other pointing devices") to see the name Windows recognizes.

Change polling rate through mouse software on Windows

Most gaming mice use dedicated software to change polling rate. Install the software from the manufacturer's website, then plug in your mouse and open the software.

Look for a settings tab or menu labeled "Performance," "Polling Rate," "Report Rate," or "Sensor Settings." The software usually shows a dropdown menu or slider with options like 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz. Select the rate you want and save or apply the change. The software may ask you to confirm or restart your computer, though most changes take effect immediately.

If the software does not open or does not recognize your mouse, unplug the mouse, restart your computer, plug it back in, and try again. If that does not work, uninstall the software completely (through Control Panel or Settings > Apps), restart, then download and install it fresh from the manufacturer's website.

Change polling rate through mouse software on Mac

Mac software for gaming mice works the same way as Windows software, but fewer mice have Mac versions. Check the manufacturer's website for a Mac download before you buy.

Install the software, plug in your mouse, and open the app. Look for Performance or Polling Rate settings. Select your preferred rate and save. If the software does not recognize your mouse, try unplugging it, restarting your Mac, and plugging it back in.

Some gaming mice work on Mac without software — they use a button on the mouse itself to cycle through polling rates. Check your mouse manual or the manufacturer's website to see if yours has this feature.

Change polling rate using a button on the mouse

Some mice have a physical button (often on the bottom or side) that cycles through polling rates without needing software. This button is sometimes labeled with a lightning bolt, a number, or an icon that looks like a gauge.

Hold the button for two to three seconds, or press it repeatedly to cycle through the available rates. The mouse usually shows which rate is active through LED lights that change color or blink a certain number of times. Check your mouse manual to see what each light pattern means, or visit the manufacturer's website and search for your model plus "polling rate button."

Change polling rate in BIOS or motherboard settings

Some high-end gaming mice and some motherboards let you set polling rate in your computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which is the firmware that runs before Windows or Mac starts. This is rare and usually only matters if you are using the mouse in a game that runs outside Windows, like certain competitive esports titles.

To access BIOS, restart your computer and press a key during startup — usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12, depending on your motherboard brand. The key appears on screen for a few seconds as your computer starts. Once in BIOS, look for a menu labeled "Integrated Peripherals," "Onboard Devices," or "USB Settings," then find an option for "USB Polling Rate" or "Mouse Polling Rate." Change it to your preferred rate and save.

If you are not comfortable in BIOS, or if you cannot find the option, stick with the mouse software method instead. Changing the wrong setting in BIOS can cause problems, so only do this if you are confident in what you are doing.

Test your polling rate change and troubleshoot if it does not work

After you change the polling rate, the new setting should take effect immediately. You can test it by opening a game or moving your mouse quickly across the screen — a higher polling rate should feel slightly more responsive, though the difference is subtle unless you are used to a very low rate.

If the change did not take effect, check that you saved or applied the setting in the software. Some software requires you to click an "Apply" or "Save" button, not just close the window. If the software shows the new rate but your mouse still feels the same, try unplugging the mouse, waiting ten seconds, and plugging it back in.

If the software crashes or does not open, your mouse driver may be corrupted. Uninstall the software and the mouse driver (in Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Mice and touchpads, scroll down, click "Additional mouse settings," then the Hardware tab, select your mouse, and click Properties > Driver > Uninstall device). Restart your computer, then download and install the software fresh from the manufacturer's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a higher polling rate use more battery on a wireless mouse?

Yes, higher polling rates drain wireless mouse batteries faster because the mouse transmits more often. If your wireless mouse supports polling rate changes, you may want to use 250 Hz or 500 Hz for everyday work and switch to 1000 Hz only when gaming. Some wireless mice let you set different rates for different profiles.

Will changing polling rate make my mouse faster or slower?

Polling rate does not change how fast your cursor moves across the screen — that is controlled by your mouse sensitivity or DPI settings. Polling rate changes how quickly your computer knows where your mouse is, which affects responsiveness in fast games but is not noticeable in normal use.

Can I change polling rate on a mouse that did not come with software?

If your mouse has no software and no onboard button, you probably cannot change the polling rate. Check the manufacturer's website to confirm. Some older or budget mice have a fixed polling rate that cannot be changed. If you need a higher polling rate, you may need to buy a different mouse.

What polling rate should I use for gaming?

For competitive shooters or fighting games, 1000 Hz is standard among professional players. For other games, 500 Hz or 1000 Hz both work well. For everyday use, 125 Hz or 250 Hz is fine. Start with whatever your mouse defaults to, and only change it if you feel the cursor is sluggish.

Do I need to change polling rate every time I restart my computer?

No. Once you set the polling rate in software or on the mouse button, it stays at that rate until you change it again. Some software saves the setting to the mouse's onboard memory, so it persists even if you unplug the mouse or use it on a different computer.