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Troubleshooting Mouse Problems

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This document provides general information about troubleshooting mouse problems.
Problems with a wireless mouse
Use one of the other sections in this document that matches the mouse problem. Then, if the problem continues, refer to the HP support document Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboards and Optical Mice for further troubleshooting.
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Making the mouse cursor faster, more visible, or click better
The mouse settings are adjusted in Windows. For more information, refer to one of the following HP support documents depending on what version of Windows you are using:
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The mouse pointer stops moving periodically, only moves in one direction, or moves erratically
If the mouse moves erratically, the mouse needs cleaned or should be used on a different surface.
  • If you have an optical mouse , clean the small plastic lens on the underside of the mouse with a damp cloth or cotton swab. If you are using the mouse on a glossy surface, use a mouse pad.
    Figure 1: Optical Mouse: Lens
  • If you have a rollerball-style mouse , clean the rollerball and rollers. For more information, refer to the HP support document Cleaning your Desktop PC .
    Figure 2: Rollerball mouse: cleaning the rollers
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Mouse pointer moves while mouse is still
This can happen with optical mice being used on a glossy surface. Use a mousepad.
Moving the mouse does not move the pointer
Perform the following steps, in order, until a solution is found:
NOTE: This document does not cover DOS. Mice are not compatible with DOS unless a special driver is used.
  1. If the mouse is a PS/2 Mouse (the round connector on the end of the cable), make sure the mouse is connected to the mouse port, not the keyboard port. The colors of the cable plugs and the colors of the connector labels should match. Reconnect the mouse and keyboard cables only when the computer is off.
  2. With the computer off, connect a regular PS/2 or serial mouse in place of the scroll mouse to see if there is something wrong with the computer or the identification of the mouse. If the regular mouse is not found or does not work, then the issue is not with the mouse but with serial or PS/2 port. If the mouse works properly after the computer is turned on, then continue using the following step.
  3. Try the mouse in another PC with Windows. If the mouse fails, it is probably bad and should be replaced.
  4. If the mouse worked previously, a software update or configuration problem probably exists. Use Microsoft System Restore to go back to latest time when the mouse was know to be working properly. To use Microsoft's System Restore see:
  5. Use the recovery process to restore the mouse drivers. Use the HP Support document Restoring Original Drivers and Software for more information.
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