PC Mouse

How to Get Your PC Mouse Working Again

Learn about some simple ways to get your PC Mouse working again when it seems it is broken. 

The prevalence of home computers has been nothing short of amazing for individuals. It is very easy now to use the power of a home pc to manage almost all aspects of your life, not to mention the entertainment value of surfing the Internet for hours. It is a wonderful feeling to start that computer up and start using. One thing that can be really a pain is if the computer is not working the best it can at all times. Even more frustrating is if everything is working except for the mouse. This is a problem that occurs more than you might think, so I want to give you some tips on how to keep your pc mouse working the best at all times.   

You have to see this from the perspective of your mouse to really understand how to fix the problem.  The pc mouse is usually placed on a surface that has dust, dirt, and other foreign particles on it that are not really that noticeable to the naked eye.  Not to mention other things that cause problems are grease, food residue, and even animal hairs.  The working mechanism of a mouse is usually a rubber ball, track ball, or rollers.  When these foreign particles start to accumulate on the ball mechanism of the mouse it gums it all up and prevents it from operating as it should.  Your mouse pad can cause you problems also, if you are not careful to keep it clean and particle free.  You will know you have a problem when your PC Mouse has erratic movements and the cursor is jumpy.

When you realize your mouse is starting to stick the first place to look for a cure is the manual of the mouse manufacturer.  This may not be much of a help, but you always want to start here first.  Sometimes all it takes is to clean off your mouse pad or brush off the ball of the mouse and you will be back in business.  If these things do not work for you then you will need a backup plan.  Here are some specific steps to take to fix your mouse. 

First, go ahead and very carefully take the moving ball mechanism out of the mouse and give it a good cleaning.  Using soap and warm water along with a wash cloth or sponge can many times do the trick.  If you do not want to do this you can try using a can of compressed air to see if this will work and clean out the rollers.  If you do decide to wash off the mouse ball do not use any chemicals or hard core cleaners on it as this may damage the rubber material.  After you have cleaned the mouse ball carefully put the ball back in the mouse housing.  While you have the mouse taken apart look for any broken components and replace them at this time.  

Now that you have the mouse reassembled go ahead and test it out.  Just cleaning the mouse ball like this will usually get your pc mouse back working again very quickly.  While you have the mouse out for cleaning go ahead and clean off the mouse pad and the desk to area where you use your mouse.  Use any type of household cleaning spray and a sponge to really give it a good cleaning.