White mousepads can confuse some sensors.

Yes, for some optical sensors (especially older or cheaper ones), a white mousepad can cause tracking issues. Black surfaces can also be problematic for certain sensors that struggle with low contrast.

The problem is that many optical sensors work by comparing microscopic surface textures. A pure white or pure black surface may lack enough texture for the sensor to track reliably. White surfaces can also reflect too much light into the sensor, causing it to “overexpose” and lose tracking. This is why most decent mousepads are medium-gray or have a pattern.

Modern gaming mice (e.g., Logitech G-series, Razer, etc.) handle this better because they use higher-resolution sensors and adjustable lift-off distance. But if you’re using a budget mouse or an older laptop trackpad alternative, stick to a non-white, non-black mousepad.

If your cursor jumps or drifts, try a different surface before blaming the mouse.