# Is my mouse possessed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277 "2011-05-09T15:02:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/1 "2011-05-09T15:02:25Z")
Or just wearing out, or is there some other issue? I have a wireless Logitech mouse that’s given me no trouble before now. Recently I started noticing that when I click on the ‘back’ arrow on the computer screen, I sometimes end up two pages prior. For example, backing out of a thread, I end up on the home fora page instead of remaining in the forum that I’m reading. Or I click on the “close” button when finished reading an article, and it closes down my internet connection. In essence, it sometimes works like a double click. I know it’s not the battery, and am hoping it’s not a computer glitch. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/2 "2011-05-09T15:08:49Z")
If the battery is OK, then the next thing I’d check is that you have a good radio path. Try moving the receiver around and see if you get better reception. On the other hand, if the mouse wheel spins around 360 degrees on its own, then you want to check the Yellow Pages for a licensed musoexorcist in your area. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/3 "2011-05-09T15:08:50Z")
Got a different mouse you can try? Any time a hardware problem is suspected, swapping out the suspect component with a replacement can help you diagnose. Beg/Borrow/Steal another mouse and try it for a while. If the problem persists, then you know it’s probably not related to your original mouse. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/4 "2011-05-09T15:12:35Z")
When I had problems like this, the solution I finally implemented was to go to a wired mouse. I don’t know why, but the wireless mouse was always a source of problems. Wireless keyboard was fine, mouse not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/5 "2011-05-09T16:47:23Z")
The mouse sits within six inches of the USB receiver, so it’s not signal. I’ve never had the problem prior to this. At this point it’s just a minor annoyance, but if the problem gets worse, I guess I’ll have to look for a new one. Unfortunately, I don’t have another mouse to try. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/6 "2011-05-09T16:58:35Z")
Do you have some canned air you can blow it out with? If it’s not the battery or receiver it may be gunk. WAG. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/7 "2011-05-09T17:01:55Z")
> [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](#): > > Do you have some canned air you can blow it out with? If it’s not the battery or receiver it may be gunk. WAG. Well, there’s a thought. I’ll give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/8 "2011-05-09T18:06:08Z")
Wow, I’ve been thinking of starting a thread about my own mouse, also a wireless Logitech. When I’m dragging something, it sometimes jumps to whatever’s hidden under it, and drags that instead. It also sometimes clicks twice when scrolling down, but never up. ---
**Author:** ![Parenchyma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Parenchyma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parenchyma)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/9 "2011-05-09T20:13:08Z")
I have a Logitech wired mouse, and found out the hard way that every few months it needs to be taken apart. Then I find a felt-like pad that has built up (made of animal hair, dust particles, etc) against the scroll wheel axle and needs to be removed. It goes from being unpredictably wonky to acting crisply and precisely. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/10 "2011-05-09T20:57:01Z")
For many years, it was a good idea now and then to open the bottom of the mouse, take out the ball, clean it, and blow out the gunk in the mouse. It was always fun telling people I was cleaning my mouse’s ball. I have had a Logitech wireless track ball for a long time, and it works like a charm except when the battery gets low and needs to be replaced. Then it gets pretty flaky. At the beginning, I did have to play around trying to find the best place for the USB transmitter, or whatever it is called, but once I did, no further trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/11 "2011-05-09T22:28:48Z")
The only way you could get this mouse apart would be with a prybar. There are no screws anywhere that I can see. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/12 "2011-05-09T22:34:29Z")
Nothing really useful to add, except that you’re not crazy. My wireless optical Logitech mouse does the same thing. I find that it sometimes works better for a while if I (accidentally) drop it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/13 "2011-05-09T22:48:39Z")
> [@ethelbert](#): > > When I had problems like this, the solution I finally implemented was to go to a wired mouse. This. All the best wired mice are made for gaming these days. If you ignore the silly names some of them are quite nice for regular desktop use. That fixed my problems with lost/doubled clicks, and movement lag. Maybe wireless mice are better these days but I’m in no hurry to switch back. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/14 "2011-05-10T00:05:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The only way you could get this mouse apart would be with a prybar. There are no screws anywhere that I can see. They’ll be there, typically under [the slidey-pads at each corner](http://www.dansdata.com/images/shiny/under400.jpg) or under the Logitech label. You can normally peel those off with your fingernail. FWIW I’ve ditched all my wireless mouses and keyboards, between constantly running out of batteries, signal blockage or interference, and just being too heavy they’re a frikkin’ pain for no apparent gain. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/15 "2011-05-10T00:13:32Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > They’ll be there, typically under [the slidey-pads at each corner](http://www.dansdata.com/images/shiny/under400.jpg) or under the Logitech label. You can normally peel those off with your fingernail. > > FWIW I’ve ditched all my wireless mouses and keyboards, between constantly running out of batteries, signal blockage or interference, and just being too heavy they’re a frikkin’ pain for no apparent gain. Peeled back one of the slidey feet and found a screw. If I go to a wired mouse and run it through my USB hub, that’ll free up a port for the turntable, which works far better when plugged in directly. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/16 "2011-05-10T07:23:07Z")
Are you sure that it is not your browser that is acting flaky, rather than your mouse? (And why should even double clicking the close button close down your connection?😕 Do you mean it closes all browser windows? If so, that certainly says “browser problem” to me, rather than “mouse problem”.) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/17 "2011-05-10T15:36:21Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Are you sure that it is not your browser that is acting flaky, rather than your mouse? > > (And why should even double clicking the close button close down your connection?😕 Do you mean it closes all browser windows? If so, that certainly says “browser problem” to me, rather than “mouse problem”.) You never know with Windows. I just downloaded IE9, so let’s see if that fixes the problem. ---
**Author:** ![flano1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f14d63/32.png) [@flano1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flano1)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/18 "2011-05-11T04:50:11Z")
how bizarre! Win7 told me, not more than ten minutes ago, to change my wireless mouse batteries. Spooky thread. ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/19 "2011-05-11T20:15:25Z")
I’ve had several different logitech wireless mice - all have developed the double-clicking problem at one time or another. Only solution I’ve ever found was to move to a wired mouse. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277/20 "2011-05-16T18:28:13Z")
Dumped the old mouse and bought a new wireless. Hopefully this one won’t have the same problems. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mouse-possessed/581277.md?page=2)