Mouse Pointer Freezing

While playing as a sim in The Sims 4, I cannot move my overhead game view forward via my mouse pointer. I can only adjust my "sky" pov to the left, right, and down via my mouse. And, often when I try to move to the left, my mouse gets "stuck" and glitches, then appearing at the bottom of my screen. However, using the arrow keys does work.

I think this may be related to upgrading to macOS 26.0, as I had played The Sims right before I updated and was not experiencing this problem.

never cc or mods

Bluebellflora
11 days ago
- MARKED AS THE SOLUTION FOR VISIBILITY AND FURTHER TROUBLESHOOTING PURPOSES ONLY -

For those experiencing this, and not all macOS Tahoe users are, please can you provide the following information if you haven't already:

precise version of macOS, e.g. 26.1

exact Mac model, e.g. M4 Max MacBook Pro 16". If using an external display, please also include details of the display

when did the issue start? After a game update, or a macOS update, or slowly over time?

are you using a bluetooth mouse or trackpad? If you are, are they Apple or 3rd party?

does it happen in windowed mode only, or fullscreen only, or both?

are you running any apps in the background? If so, does it still happen when you restart your Mac, quit any apps that start at login then launch the game?

open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) click on CPU in the button at the top of the window and sort by CPU % arrow down, so the process using the most CPU is first. Launch the game and when you have the cursor issue quickly go back to Activity Monitor (in fullscreen the game opens in a new desktop space, you can quickly swipe to the right to get to the desktop where Activity Monitor is open). What are the top 3 processes?

are you running antivirus? If so which one?

have you changed the default mouse/trackpad settings in System Settings?

have you set up any Accessibility features in System Settings that alter the default behaviour of the OS related to the pointer?

13 Replies

Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 months ago
moonduster01

Which model Mac? Apple mouse or 3rd party?
UGHMoodPoisoning
Rising Novice
2 months ago
I'm having the exact problem after updating to macOS 26.0
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 months ago
UGHMoodPoisoning

Same question in my previous post applies to you.

What troubleshooting steps have you tried to resolve this yourself?
3j4pwzw4j65y
Seasoned Newcomer
2 months ago
I'm having the exact same problem right after updating to macOS 26.0
Never had this issue before updating. I've tried adjusting my resolution and toggling edge scrolling on and off but that hasn't fixed it. The only way I can get top edge scrolling to work and the cursor glitching to stop is by playing in windowed mode.
UGHMoodPoisoning
Rising Novice
2 months ago
Model: A2442
Troubleshooting:
Took mods out
Repaired
Tried different display resolutions on my Mac and in the game
Turned on window mode then back to full screen
Turned off Retina display
Tried different settings for the menu bar
Restarted my Mac
Turned off game mode

The issue still persists. At least in windowed mode, the glitching stops. But I can only scroll with my cursor within full screen mode.
heygwenpool
Seasoned Novice
2 months ago
Experiencing the exact same issue. My mouse pointer also gets stuck at the side and bottom of my screen.
macOS 26.0, using the Macbook's trackpad.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 months ago
UGHMoodPoisoning moonduster01 heygwenpool 3j4pwzw4j65y

Good that at least there's a workaround to play in windowed mode. I always play in windowed mode so will see if I can repro by changing to fullscreen at some point.

When experiencing this in fullscreen mode do you have Game Mode enabled or disabled (thanks UGHMoodPoisoning)?

Can you also toggle vsync on/off in the in-game graphic options and test in fullscreen to see if it makes a difference?
UGHMoodPoisoning
Rising Novice
2 months ago
I tried scrolling in fullscreen mode with game mode enabled and disabled, and that did not make a difference. Same thing with vsync. I think because Apple altered the menu bar, I believe that is why I'm unable to scroll forward in my game. Whenever I move the cursor up, the pointer changes to Apple instead of the Sims 4 pointer. However, when I click a couple times at the top with the Apple pointer, it changes into the Sims 4 magnifying glass icon, and the magnifying glass allows me to scroll forward. For now, I will use this method. You guys should try this method in your game moonduster01 heygwenpool 3j4pwzw4j65y
useramn
Rising Newcomer
2 months ago
I am experiencing the same issue. I didn't really think about the update to OS 26. I would also add that when I add items from the build buy to a lot, it randomly adds extras of that item. Sounds like we might have to wait for EA to update the game for the new OS.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 months ago
useramn wrote:
I would also add that when I add items from the build buy to a lot, it randomly adds extras of that item.

I highly doubt this is related to the cursor freezing issue. Please post in Gameplay or Bugs if you cannot find a thread already started on that issue, or Mods if you play a Modded game.

Which specific model Mac?

Apple mouse/trackpad or 3rd party?