On multi-monitor setups, using the Xbox Game Bar can sometimes cause the mouse cursor to stop being locked within the game window. Instead, it moves freely across monitors, disrupting gameplay. Sometimes this just minimises the game but in more extreme cases it can cause games to crash so in this guide we'll show you how to fix the mouse not locking to the game window when using Game Bar on Windows 11.

Takeaways:

  1. Why won't the mouse stay locked on the screen when using Game Bar?
  2. How to fix the not locking to the screen on Windows with multiple monitors.

How to Fix Mouse Cursor Not Locking in the Game Window After Using the Xbox Game Bar

Updating your system to the latest version can resolve many compatibility and performance issues. Beta updates often include early fixes for known bugs.

  • Open Windows Settings via Start > Settings.
  • Navigate to Windows Update.
  • Click Check for updates or install any pending updates.
  • To join the Beta Channel:
    • Go to Windows Insider Program under Update settings.
    • Click Get Started and register with your Microsoft account.
    • Restart your PC and initiate the update process again.

Disable the Xbox Overlay

The Xbox Game Bar overlay may interfere with cursor locking on multi-monitor setups.

  • Open Settings and go to System > System Components.
  • Find Game Bar, then click Advanced Options.
  • Toggle the Background apps permission to Off.
  • Restart your system.

Disable the Xbox Game Bar Entirely

If disabling the overlay doesn’t help, consider turning off the Game Bar completely.

  • In Settings, go to the Gaming section.
  • Under Xbox Game Bar, switch it to Off.
  • Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

Adjust In-Game Settings

Quite a lot of games include options to lock the cursor within the game window. So if the game has this option it's a good idea to use it!

  • Open the game and navigate to Settings.
  • Look for options such as Cursor Lock, Fullscreen Mode, or Window Behavior.
  • Adjust these settings to enable cursor locking.
  • Save and restart the game.

Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

If a recent update caused the problem, rolling it back might help.

  • Open Control Panel and go to Programs > View Installed Updates.
  • Sort updates by date, then uninstall the latest one.
  • Pause updates temporarily until Microsoft addresses the issue.

Reinstall your GPU Drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

  • Download Display Driver Uninstaller.

  • Download the graphics driver version you want to use (The newest is usually best but you can use an older one if you know it's stable)

  • Once you have the driver files on your computer disable your Internet connection.

  • Now Run DDU and remove everything including Geforce Experience or the AMD software

  • After the process completes install your graphics drivers using the files you downloaded earlier

  • Once your new drivers are installed you can re-enable your internet connection

Doing it this way with your Internet connection disabled prevents Windows from installing junk generic drivers before you get the chance to install the proper ones