[Objective] Temporal and spatial changes in soil water in different ecological zones of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and their influencing mechanisms were explored to provide a scientific basis for ecological construction and water resource management in this region. [Methods] Taking the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as the research area, based on remote sensing inversion data of soil moisture, meteorology, vegetation cover NDVI, and land use from 2003 to 2022, trend analysis, the mutation test, Hurts index, and parameter optimal geographic detector were used to explore the temporal and spatial changes of soil moisture and their influencing mechanism. [Results] ① From 2003 to 2022, annual soil moisture in Ningxia showed a significant upward trend, with 68.99% of the region experiencing increases and 31.01% experiencing decreases. Regionally, soil moisture declined slightly in the Northern Yellow River irrigation area (-0.022%/a), increased modestly in the central arid zone (+0.030%/a), and increased significantly in the southern mountainous area (+0.107%/a), with a significant change in 2012. Spatially, soil moisture was high in the north and south and low in the center, with multi-year averages ranked as follows: Northern Yellow River irrigation area (11.40%) > southern mountainous area (10.70%) > central arid zone (8.40%). ② Hurst index predictions suggested that 49.09%, 60.43%, and 62.91% of the northern, central, and southern regions, respectively, are likely to experience declining soil moisture, highlighting the risks of salinization and drought in the north and center. ③ Geographic detector analysis identified NDVI and topography as the primary drivers of soil moisture distribution, with an increasing influence of precipitation over time. [Conclusion] Soil moisture trends in Ningxia from 2003 to 2022 displayed regional heterogeneity and complexity, and future changes are expected to follow similar patterns. NDVI, topography, and precipitation collectively shaped the soil moisture dynamics. These factors must be integrated into soil resource management strategies to support ecological and water resource optimization in the region.