DPI or Dots per Inch serves as a yardstick to measure the mouse sensitivity. Generally, a higher DPI offers faster speed to the pointer.

A high DPI aids in detecting small movements and enhancing the responsive rate of the mouse.

However, a high DPI does not always offer the best performance. Meaning, if you set your mouse DPI too high, then your mouse cursor will move much faster across the screen, every time you move your mouse.

So, if you feel your mouse is not responding as per your convenience, then you have to change its DPI.

Usually, most high-end gaming mouse comes with a built-in DPI button, allowing you to set your DPI on the fly.

Meanwhile, if you don’t find such an option on your mouse, then you have to set the DPI manually by tweaking your computer’s setting.

Ways To Change Mouse DPI

1. Changing DPI Through The Built-in Button

If your mouse comes with an on-the-fly DPI button, then you can set it without going into too many technicalities. Some mouse brands don’t mention the DPI button by its name. So, if you can’t find the DPI button, then you can refer to the manual.

Locating the DPI button on the mouse

Most probably, you will find the DPI button below the scrolling wheel. The button appears smaller compared to other buttons.

Once you press the button, it will activate the DPI setting cycle.

Each time you press it, the setting will get higher before it circles back to the lower setting.

Some mice also come with two dedicated buttons, making it easier for increasing or decreasing the DPI.

Any change in DPI will reflect on your monitor screen provided you mouse comes with dedicated software.

2. Changing DPI in Windows 10

If your mouse does not have a DPI setting, then don’t worry, follow the processes below

First, you need to open the settings window on your system.

To do that, you can either click on the start menu and choose ‘setting’ or press Windows + I keys together.

You can also right-click on the windows button and click ‘settings’.

From the set of tiles on the setting window, click on the ‘Devices’ option.

Once you enter ‘Devices’, you will see a list of options on the left side of the screen. Now click the ‘mouse’ tab on the left-side panel.

Then go the far right side of the screen and look for the “additional mouse options” option mentioned under ‘Related Settings’. Click on it to open the ‘Mouse Properties’ window.

(if you are using an external mouse on a laptop, then click on the ‘button’ tab and switch to ‘other pointing devices’ from ‘Synaptics touchpad’). 

Then, click on the ‘pointer options’ tab. Now below the tab, you will find the ‘Motion’ option and then go for the ‘Select a pointer speed’ slider.

Then, adjust your DPI by dragging the mouse button ‘slow’ and ‘fast’. If the “Enhance pointer precision’ box is checked, then uncheck it.

Always leave the box unchecked as this option may cause trouble in your DPI setting.

3. Changing DPI settings on Windows 7 and 8

Open ‘Control Panel’ on your computer. Now on the top right corner, click on the drop-down menu next to the option ‘view by’. Then switch from ‘category’ to ‘small icons’ or ‘large icons’.

Upon doing that, you will have a whole set of icons on the screen.

You need to open the ‘Mouse Properties by clicking on the ‘mouse’ icon. Then go to the ‘Pointer Options’ tab. Now change it as you can.

4. Change Mouse Settings Within The Video Game

Before you go tweaking your default settings, you can check whether the game comes with an in-game mouse sensitivity option.

This is an ideal way to customize your mouse DPI as per your game while leaving your default O.S settings untouched.

You may have to give a thorough check on the menus of each game to find the real setting. Once you launch the game, check for menus as “option’ or ‘settings.

You need to find the ‘controls’ option to change your mouse settings. If your game does not have the option, then you have to use the aforementioned steps.

Meanwhile, if you locate the ‘Controls’ option, check out the mouse option followed by the ‘sensitivity’ option. Once you find it, change the DPI as you like.

FAQs

Conclusion

Remember, using a mouse for professional gaming is quite different from regular scrolling. Also, don’t expect to use the same mouse DPI for the rest of your life. As your skill grows, you may need to recalibrate your mouse sensitivity options as well.