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Amitabh Sarkar··4 min read

How to Change Mouse Polling Rate

You can change mouse polling rate in three ways: through the manufacturer's software (the most common method), via a DIP switch on the bottom of the mouse, or by holding a button combination while plugging it in. The right method depends on your mouse model. After changing it, always verify the result using a live polling rate test — software settings don't always match what the firmware actually applies.

Polling Rate Support by Brand

Before changing your polling rate, confirm what your mouse supports. Here's a quick reference for the most common gaming mouse brands:

BrandSoftware
RazerSynapse 3
LogitechG HUB
SteelSeriesGG / Engine
CorsairiCUE
ZowieNone required
Endgame GearNone required

Method 1: Manufacturer Software (Most Mice)

This is the easiest method and works for Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Corsair, HyperX, and most other gaming mice.

Razer (Synapse)

  1. Open Razer Synapse 3
  2. Click your mouse under 'Devices'
  3. Go to the Performance tab
  4. Under 'Polling Rate', select 125 / 500 / 1000 / 2000 / 4000 / 8000 Hz
  5. Changes save automatically

Logitech (G HUB)

  1. Open Logitech G HUB
  2. Click your mouse in the device list
  3. Select 'Game Mode' or 'Performance'
  4. Find 'Report Rate' — choose 125 / 250 / 500 / 1000 Hz
  5. Click the rate to apply — no save button needed

SteelSeries (GG / Engine)

  1. Open SteelSeries GG
  2. Click 'Gear' tab → select your mouse
  3. Find 'Polling Rate' under Performance settings
  4. Select your desired Hz (125 / 250 / 500 / 1000)
  5. Settings sync to the mouse automatically

Corsair (iCUE)

  1. Open Corsair iCUE
  2. Click your mouse → Settings
  3. Scroll to find 'Polling Frequency'
  4. Select 125 / 250 / 500 / 1000 Hz
  5. Click 'Apply'

🔋 Wireless mice: polling rate vs battery life

For wireless mice, the same software controls polling rate — but there's a trade-off. Running at 1000Hz drains battery 10–25% faster than 500Hz because the sensor and transmitter wake up twice as often. For casual sessions, 500Hz is the better balance (2ms latency vs 1ms — imperceptible outside elite competition). Some high-end mice like the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 support 4000Hz or 8000Hz wirelessly, but only with their dedicated high-speed receiver — standard Bluetooth or a generic USB dongle caps you at 125Hz.

Method 2: DIP Switches (Zowie, Some Budget Mice)

BenQ Zowie mice (EC2, FK, ZA series) don't use software — they use physical DIP switches on the mouse's underside to change settings including polling rate. This approach ensures settings are stored on the mouse itself, independent of any PC.

Flip the mouse over and look for a small switch panel near the sensor. The polling rate switch is typically labeled 125/500/1000 or shows small dots corresponding to Hz values. Use a pin or small screwdriver to toggle the switch. Unplug and replug the mouse to apply the change.

Some Cooler Master and Endgame Gear mice also use DIP switches or button combinations instead of software. Consult your specific model's manual — available on the manufacturer's support page.

Method 3: Button Combination on Startup

Some mice (particularly older models from Logitech and SteelSeries) allow polling rate changes by holding a button while connecting the USB cable. The specific button and number of clicks varies by model — check your mouse manual for the exact sequence.

For example, on older SteelSeries Rival mice: hold the forward thumb button while plugging in for 500Hz, or hold the back thumb button for 1000Hz. This method is less common on modern mice, which use software instead.

Changing Polling Rate on Mac

macOS does not have a native polling rate setting, but Razer Synapse for Mac and Logitech G HUB for Mac both expose the same polling rate controls as their Windows versions. The steps are identical — install the Mac version of your mouse software, navigate to Performance or Report Rate, and select your Hz value. The change is stored on the mouse firmware, so it persists even when you switch between operating systems.

If your mouse brand doesn't offer Mac software (Zowie, Endgame Gear), the DIP switch method works cross-platform by default — the hardware setting doesn't care which OS you're running. Non-gaming mice without software are locked at their hardware default on Mac just as they are on Windows.

Step 5: Verify the Change Worked

After changing your polling rate, always verify it using a real-time test rather than trusting software. Our free Mouse Polling Rate Test measures the actual Hz your mouse is reporting to Windows — not the configured value, but the measured one.

Move your mouse continuously for 3 seconds to get a stable reading. If the result is significantly lower than your configured rate (e.g., you set 1000Hz but the test shows 500Hz), try plugging into a different USB port — USB hubs and extension cables can reduce polling rate due to shared bandwidth. After confirming your polling rate, test whether the change affects your reaction time — higher polling rates produce more consistent input timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my mouse supports changing polling rate?

Check the manufacturer's product page. Any mouse marketed as 'gaming' from Razer, Logitech, SteelSeries, Corsair, or Zowie will have adjustable polling rate. Budget office mice are typically locked at 125Hz. If your mouse has dedicated software (Razer Synapse, G HUB, etc.), it almost certainly supports polling rate adjustment.

Will changing polling rate improve my aim?

Moving from 125Hz to 1000Hz will noticeably improve cursor smoothness and tracking accuracy. Moving from 500Hz to 1000Hz offers a smaller but still measurable improvement for competitive gaming. Anything above 1000Hz offers diminishing returns for most players.

Does changing polling rate require a restart?

No. When you change polling rate through software, the change takes effect immediately without needing to restart your PC or reconnect the mouse. DIP switch changes require unplugging and replugging the mouse to take effect.

Why is my mouse still showing the old polling rate after changing it?

Try unplugging and replugging the mouse after changing the setting in software. Also verify the change using our free Mouse Polling Rate Test rather than trusting the software display — occasionally software shows the configured rate but the firmware hasn't applied it yet.

Does changing polling rate drain wireless mouse battery faster?

Yes — higher polling rates increase battery drain on wireless mice because the sensor and transmitter are waking up more frequently. Running at 1000Hz can reduce battery life by 10–25% compared to 500Hz, depending on the mouse. If you're in a long session or tournament, dropping to 500Hz is a good balance: you lose 1ms of additional latency (from 1ms to 2ms) but gain meaningfully longer battery life. Razer and Logitech software make it easy to switch profiles mid-session.

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