how to fix a sluggish mouse?

Question

For no aparent reason, my mouse became sluggish. It worked perfectly for a few years...

If I move it fast, it will move ok, but I cant be precise that way.

But if I move it slowly, with precision it will become sluggish, will move erratically, the cursor will move in the direction I am moving it, but for a few milimeters of displacement, it will not move the cursor at all, and that is random, becoming a real pain to use it at all.

As "mousepad" I use a plain white paper that I change from time to time.

I would like to know also what can be causing that, but my request is just how to fix it, would be enough!

I have: reboot, reconnect usb, cleaned the optics from the outside (not disassembling it), verified the cable contact and it is working fine.

I am on linux.

I have a 2nd mouse connected simultaneously (and both worked perfectly til yesterday), and it works perfectly, so I understand it is a hardware problem on the 1st mouse.

To complement the accepted answer, I used this image (I had to create, couldnt find one like it, it is not perfect also the edges, I dont care tho..) printed on the paper: (should I put it on the accepted answer?)

Answer 1

Unless you have a blue laser mouse, anything white will not constantly work for a mouse pad unless it is made of fabric.

Answer

Try something else under the mouse :)