Hi
Welcome to Microsoft community.
I can imagine how annoying it’s been dealing with a cursor that’s basically got a mind of its own. Let’s try to tackle this step by step. Since the issue only happens after you log in, it’s likely tied to software—maybe a driver glitch, a background app acting up, or even a stuck input from a mouse/touchpad. Here’s what you can try:
First, force a shutdown. Hold down the power button until the laptop turns off completely (even if it feels harsh, it’s okay). Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. When it boots up, get into the Windows Recovery Environment. From there, try booting into Safe Mode (which loads Windows with minimal drivers/apps). If the cursor behaves normally in Safe Mode, that confirms it’s a software/driver issue. You could then uninstall recent apps, check for driver updates, or run a malware scan.
If Safe Mode doesn’t help (or you can’t get there), disconnect all peripherals—external mice, keyboards, USB devices—and try again. Sometimes a faulty mouse or even a stuck key can cause phantom clicks. If you’re using the touchpad, see if disabling it temporarily (some laptops have a Function key shortcut, like Fn+F6) helps.
If the cursor is still stuck, there’s a chance the touchpad itself is physically damaged. You mentioned this started after inheriting the laptop—maybe wear and tear over time? If you’re comfortable, you could try reseating the touchpad ribbon cable inside (but only if you’re confident opening up the device!).
For the immediate “stuck click” issue: Sometimes restarting Windows Explorer helps. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager (if possible), find “Windows Explorer” under Processes, right-click it, and select Restart. This might free up the cursor.
If none of this works, a system restore to a point before the issue started (if you have restore points) or a clean Windows install might be the nuclear option. Backup your data first if possible—maybe boot from a USB drive or use another computer to create a recovery drive.
Let me know how it goes! These ghost-cursor can be tricky, but we’ll figure it out.
Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
