Problems With a Cursor Not Moving on a Toshiba Laptop
By Bonnie Conrad
Updated September 28, 2017
If you use a Toshiba laptop at work or home, you may experience problems with the cursor from time to time. Sometimes the cursor on a Toshiba laptop simply refuses to move. When that happens it is best to take a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting and resolving the issue.
Task Manager
Sometimes the cursor on a Toshiba laptop can get stuck in one corner of the screen and not respond to repeated attempts to get it moving. When that happens, opening Task Manager is often enough to get it moving again. To invoke Task Manager, press the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Del" keys at the same time, then choose "Task Manager" from the list. Watch the cursor when you open Task Manager, then wiggle the mouse or press the touch pad to see if the cursor moves.
Unresponsive Program
If the cursor still does not move, check the Task Manager panes for programs listed as unresponsive, then use the "End Task" button to close them. If a program is stuck and not responding, it can freeze up the cursor on the Toshiba laptop and cause other problems as well. Ending the task on the unresponsive program frees up the resources that had been in use and should free the cursor and allow it to move again.
External Mouse
An external mouse can be a smart addition to any Toshiba laptop, especially if you dislike using the built-in touch pad. But an external mouse can introduce its own issues, and it is best to eliminate each possible problem one by one. Start by changing the batteries in the mouse, even if you think they have plenty of power remaining. The battery in an external mouse can run down without warning, leaving the cursor unresponsive. If the cursor still does not move, take the USB receiver and move it to another port. If the cursor moves, move the receiver back to its original position to see if it still works. If the cursor still does not move, the external mouse is probably defective.
Power Cycle
If the mouse cursor still remains unresponsive, the best thing to do is restart the Toshiba laptop. Try to shut the laptop down normally by invoking Task Manager with the "Ctrl/Alt/Del" combination and choosing "Shut Down" from the menu. If that does not work, you have no choice but to shut down the Toshiba laptop by holding the power button in until it shuts off.
Writer Bio
Based in Pennsylvania, Bonnie Conrad has been working as a professional freelance writer since 2003. Her work can be seen on Credit Factor, Constant Content and a number of other websites. Conrad also works full-time as a computer technician and loves to write about a number of technician topics. She studied computer technology and business administration at Harrisburg Area Community College.