What polling rate means and why you might want to change it

Your Logitech G502's polling rate is how often the mouse tells your computer where it is — measured in Hertz (Hz). A 1000 Hz polling rate means the mouse reports its position 1000 times per second. A 125 Hz rate means 125 times per second. The higher the rate, the more responsive the mouse feels, especially in fast-paced games or precise design work.

You might lower the polling rate to reduce CPU load on older computers, or raise it if you want snappier cursor movement. Most people find 1000 Hz perfectly responsive for gaming and everyday use. The G502 lets you choose between 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz — you change it through Logitech G HUB, the software that controls your mouse settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Polling rate is how many times per second your mouse reports its position to your computer, ranging from 125 Hz to 1000 Hz on the G502.
  • You change the polling rate through Logitech G HUB, not through Windows settings or the mouse itself.
  • Higher polling rates feel more responsive but use slightly more CPU; lower rates reduce system load but feel less precise.
  • The change takes effect immediately once you save it in G HUB, and the setting stays saved even after you restart your computer.

Download and install Logitech G HUB

If you do not already have G HUB on your computer, go to logitechg.com/en-us/products/software/ghub.html and download the installer for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Run the installer and follow the prompts to completion.

Once installed, plug in your G502 mouse via USB cable or connect it wirelessly if you have the USB receiver. Launch G HUB. The software should detect your mouse automatically and show it in the main window. If it does not appear, try unplugging and replugging the mouse, or restarting G HUB.

Navigate to the polling rate setting

Open Logitech G HUB and look for your G502 in the device list on the left side of the window. Click on it to open the mouse settings panel. You should see several tabs or sections — look for one labeled Performance, Settings, or Advanced depending on your G HUB version.

Within that section, find the option labeled Polling Rate or Report Rate. It will show a dropdown menu or a series of buttons displaying the available options: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz.

Select your desired polling rate and save

Click on the polling rate you want. Most users choose 1000 Hz for gaming or 500 Hz for everyday use. Once you select it, the change applies immediately — you do not need to click a separate "Save" or "Apply" button in most versions of G HUB, though some older versions may require you to confirm.

To verify the change took effect, you can feel the difference in cursor responsiveness right away. If you want to switch back, simply return to the same menu and select a different rate. G HUB remembers your choice and restores it automatically when you restart your computer or reconnect the mouse.

Troubleshooting if the setting does not appear

If you do not see a polling rate option in G HUB, check that you are running the latest version of the software. Open G HUB, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, and select About. If an update is available, G HUB will prompt you to install it. Restart the application after updating.

If the polling rate option still does not appear after updating, try unplugging the mouse, closing G HUB completely, waiting 10 seconds, then plugging the mouse back in and reopening G HUB. Some older versions of G HUB or certain Windows configurations occasionally require this reset. If the issue persists, you can also try reinstalling G HUB by uninstalling it through your system's control panel, restarting your computer, and downloading a fresh copy from Logitech's website.

How polling rate affects your experience

At 1000 Hz, your mouse reports 1000 times per second, creating the smoothest, most responsive feel. This is ideal for competitive gaming where split-second reactions matter. The trade-off is minimal — modern computers handle this easily — but older systems or laptops running on battery may see a tiny increase in CPU usage.

At 500 Hz or 250 Hz, the mouse still feels responsive for most tasks, and the CPU load drops slightly. Many people cannot detect the difference between 500 Hz and 1000 Hz in normal use. At 125 Hz, the cursor movement becomes noticeably less smooth, with visible lag in fast movements. Choose 125 Hz only if your computer is very old or if you are trying to troubleshoot a specific performance problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing polling rate affect battery life on a wireless G502?

Yes, slightly. Higher polling rates drain the battery faster because the mouse is working harder. If you use the G502 wirelessly and notice shorter battery life after raising the polling rate, try 500 Hz instead of 1000 Hz. The difference in responsiveness is usually not noticeable for everyday work.

Will a higher polling rate make me a better gamer?

Not by itself. A higher polling rate makes the mouse feel more responsive, which can help in competitive games, but it will not improve your aim or reflexes. Most professional gamers use 1000 Hz, but many play just fine at 500 Hz. The difference matters most in very fast-paced games like first-person shooters.

What if I change the polling rate and my cursor feels jittery?

This is rare but can happen on some systems. Try lowering the polling rate to 500 Hz or 250 Hz. If the jitter stops, your system may have trouble handling the higher rate. You can also try updating your mouse drivers through Windows Device Manager or reinstalling G HUB.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the polling rate?

No. The change takes effect immediately in G HUB. Your computer will remember the setting even after you restart, so you only need to change it once unless you want to switch it back later.