What polling rate means and why you might change it

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

Most people never need to change this. But if you play competitive games where split-second cursor movement matters, or if your mouse feels sluggish or jittery, adjusting the polling rate can help. Higher polling rates use more power and CPU resources, so lower rates are fine for everyday work like email or web browsing.

Logitech mice let you change this through their software, called Logitech G HUB (for gaming mice) or Logitech Options (for standard mice). Which one you use depends on which mouse you own.

Key Takeaways

  • Logitech gaming mice use G HUB software to change polling rate, while standard Logitech mice use Logitech Options.
  • You must read and install the correct software from Logitech's website before you can adjust polling rate settings.
  • Most Logitech mice support 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz polling rates, though some older models may have fewer options.
  • Changes take effect when ready once you save them, and the mouse remembers your choice even after you unplug it.

Finding out which software your mouse needs

Check the bottom or side of your mouse for a model number. It usually starts with "G" if it is a gaming mouse (like G502 or G Pro), or with "M" if it is a standard mouse (like M705 or MX Master).

Gaming mice (G-series) use Logitech G HUB. Standard mice (M-series) use Logitech Options. If you are unsure, visit Logitech's support page, type your model number into the search box, and look at the software section — it will tell you which one to read.

Installing Logitech G HUB for gaming mice

Go to logitechg.com/en-us/products/gaming-mice.html and scroll to find your mouse model. Click on it, then look for a "Downloads" or "Software" section. read the G HUB installer for your operating system (Windows or Mac).

Run the installer file and follow the on-screen prompts. When installation finishes, plug your mouse into a USB port if it is not already connected. Open G HUB — it should appear in your applications menu or system tray.

Click on your mouse name in the left sidebar. Look for a section labeled "Performance" or "Polling Rate" (the exact name varies by mouse model). You will see a dropdown menu or slider showing options like 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz. Select the rate you want and the software saves it automatically.

Installing Logitech Options for standard mice

Go to support.logi.com and search for your mouse model number. Find the "Downloads" section and read Logitech Options for your operating system.

Run the installer and follow the prompts. When it finishes, plug your mouse in if it is not already connected. Open Logitech Options from your applications menu.

Your mouse should appear in the main window. Click on it, then look for "Pointer Speed" or "Advanced Settings." Some standard mice do not have a polling rate option in the main menu — if you do not see it, click "Advanced" or "More Settings" at the bottom. The polling rate dropdown will appear there if your mouse supports it.

What to do if polling rate is not in your software

Not all Logitech mice have adjustable polling rates. Older models and budget mice often have a fixed rate that cannot be changed. If you open the software and do not see a polling rate option anywhere, your mouse does not support this feature.

Check your mouse manual or the product page on Logitech's website to confirm. The specifications section will list "Polling Rate" if the mouse supports it. If it does not, the feature is not available for your model.

Testing your new polling rate

After you change the polling rate, move your mouse around to see if it feels different. Higher rates (500 Hz or 1000 Hz) may feel smoother in games, but the difference is subtle on most tasks. If your mouse felt jittery at a high rate, try lowering it to 250 Hz or 125 Hz.

The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your computer. Your mouse remembers the setting even after you unplug it or turn off your computer, so you only have to adjust it once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a higher polling rate make my mouse battery drain faster?

Yes, but only slightly. Wireless mice use more battery at 1000 Hz than at 125 Hz because the radio transmitter works more often. If your mouse is wired, there is no battery impact. For wireless mice, the difference is usually a few hours over the course of a week.

Can I change polling rate without installing software?

No. Logitech mice require either G HUB or Logitech Options to adjust polling rate. Some gaming mice have an onboard button that cycles through rates, but you still need the software to set which rates that button cycles through.

What polling rate should I use for gaming?

For competitive games like shooters or fighting games, 1000 Hz is standard. For casual games or everyday use, 250 Hz or 500 Hz is fine and uses less power. Start at 500 Hz and go higher only if you notice lag in your cursor movement.

My polling rate keeps resetting to the default. Why?

The software may not have saved properly, or G HUB or Logitech Options may have crashed. Close the software completely, unplug your mouse for 10 seconds, plug it back in, reopen the software, and change the polling rate again. Make sure you see a confirmation message before closing the window.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing polling rate?

No. The change takes effect when ready. You can test it right away by moving your mouse and seeing how it feels.