Make Mouse Keys move the pointer at the right speed

Why it happens

Mouse Keys lets you move the pointer with the keyboard, and it has its own speed settings, separate from your mouse or trackpad. Initial delay is how long you hold a key before the pointer starts moving. Maximum speed is how fast it goes once you keep holding.

How to fix it

1. Open System Settings, click Accessibility in the sidebar, then click Pointer Control.

2. Find Mouse Keys and click the info button (ⓘ) next to it.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse Keys

3. Drag Maximum speed to the left to slow the pointer down, or to the right to speed it up.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse Keys

4. If the pointer starts moving before you're ready, drag Initial delay to the right. Close the panel and test with the keys around I, or the number pad if you have one.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse Keys

Still not fixed?

1. If the pointer moves when you meant to type a number, Mouse Keys is on. Turn it off with its switch, or press Option five times if that shortcut is turned on in its options.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse Keys

2. To turn Mouse Keys on or off quickly, press Option-Command-F5 and choose Mouse Keys. On some keyboards you also need to hold fn.

3. If your trackpad stops working while Mouse Keys is on, turn off Ignore built-in trackpad when Mouse Keys is on in the same options.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Mouse Keys

4. If the keys or the pointer still behave strangely, restart your Mac. If that doesn't help, contact Apple Support.