Mouse test

What the mouse test is for

A mouse that opens two folders when you clicked only once, a right button that sometimes fails, or a scroll wheel that jumps: these are typical signs of wear. This test shows each button, each scroll step and the time between two clicks, so you can tell whether the problem is in the mouse or elsewhere.

The test area counts left, middle and right clicks separately and recognises the side buttons, if your mouse has them. The scroll wheel counter shows each step up and down. The double-click readout tells you how many milliseconds passed between two clicks.

The double-click readout is particularly useful. A worn switch often bounces and sends a second click by itself. If you click once and see two clicks only a few milliseconds apart, the switch is the likely culprit.

Step by step

1. Move the pointer into the grey test area.
2. Click each button a few times: left, middle (press the wheel) and right. Each button lights up while held and counts its clicks.
3. If your mouse has side buttons, press them. They appear as Back and Forward.
4. Scroll up and down slowly, one step at a time, and check that each step is counted in the right direction.
5. Double-click as you normally would and read the interval in milliseconds.
6. Click the left button once, deliberately and slowly, several times. If double clicks are counted, the switch is probably worn.
7. Press Reset to start again.

Common problems and fixes

Unwanted double clicks

If single clicks regularly show up as two, the switch is likely bouncing. Try the mouse on another computer to rule out the software. Some manufacturers offer a debounce setting in their utility. Otherwise, a replacement or a repair of the switch is the usual fix.

Side buttons are not detected

Some browsers and mouse drivers use the side buttons for navigation before a web page receives them. Manufacturer utilities can also assign other functions to them. Check the software that came with your mouse, or test in a different browser.

The scroll wheel jumps in the wrong direction

Dust in the wheel encoder is a frequent cause. Blow compressed air into the gap around the wheel and spin it a few times. Also check whether your system has a reversed or “natural” scrolling setting enabled, which changes the direction on purpose.

The right button opens a menu

Inside the test area the context menu is suppressed so the click can be counted. Outside the area the browser behaves normally. In Firefox, holding Shift while right-clicking always opens the menu.

The wireless mouse lags or stutters

Replace or charge the batteries and move the receiver closer, ideally to a USB port on the front or on an extension cable. USB 3 ports and nearby Wi-Fi equipment can interfere with 2.4 GHz receivers.

Tips

• Test on the surface you normally use. Optical sensors behave differently on glass or very glossy desks.
• Compare the double-click interval with your system setting for double-click speed if double clicks are not recognised in other programs.
• For a laptop touchpad, a tap usually counts as a left click; two-finger scrolling is reported as wheel movement.
• If a fault appears only occasionally, click steadily for a minute. Intermittent bouncing often shows up after a few dozen clicks.

Frequently asked questions