My computer mouse keeps sticking. Does anyone know if I can clean where the ball is on the underside or should I just replace the mouse?
Cettina from Malta, Europe
If I were in your place I would replace the mouse. We had a similar problem a few years back. I came into the room to find DH, who is normally a great fix it guy, sitting there with mouse innards all over the desk and no idea how to put it back together. (03/11/2008)
By Marty Dick
This is very easy to clean! On the underside of the mouse, where the little ball sticks out of a hole, is a twist off cover. Twist it off, and the little ball falls out. There may be some fluff and dirt, etc. that falls out, but the most probable cause is an accumulation of gunk on the inside.
With the ball out, you can see sort of rollers around the inside. Take a Q-tip and dip it in alcohol and rub the accumulated dirt off these "roller" edges. That's it! Your mouse should be free-wheeling again!
(03/11/2008)
By carol
Carol's right-- it's pretty easy.
You should turn off your computer first. Then turn the mouse upside-down and untwist the round disc around the ball. Look out for the ball, it's like one of those super-balls and can bounce all over the place. Shake out all the loose gunk that may be in there-- lightly blow inside the mouse to get some more dust out, then clean those little rollers. Clean the inside of the little twist-out disc, too. Use a lint-free cloth and a little water to clean the ball.
After that you can get over here and paint my house.
Thank you!
(03/11/2008)
By JB
Thanks for all your suggestions. Otis, soon as I finish painting my house, I'll be more than happy to do yours. If you send me a flight ticket to get there, that is. Im assuming you are in the U.S. I live in Europe so it's going to be VERY expensive for you even if I do it for free! I'll try cleaning the mouse first, if that doesn't work I'll just replace it and poor Otis won't get his house painted! (03/12/2008)
By cettina
Then we have a deal! And there's no need to buy plane tickets...
One more thing, if the Q-Tip doesn't work on the rollers inside the mouse, use a small knife (like a pocket knife) and lightly (and I mean LIGHTLY) scrape the rollers with the blade of the knife-- just enough to knock off the residue that has built up over the months (years?).
If that doesn't clean the innards of that mouse and make it work correctly, take the largest hammer you can find and hit it as hard as you can--BAM!-- then, holding it by its tail, take it to the nearest computer dealer and politely ask "Isn't this still under warranty?"
All kidding aside, let us know how the mouse cleaning works out-- and don't worry about replacing it, we've all had to clean a mouse once in a great while. (03/13/2008)
By JB
It's very easy to do. Turn the mouse over (turn off the computer first), turn the cap that keeps the ball in to take it off. Take out the ball and dump out any dust. Use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to clean off the rollers. Also clean the ball and mouse pad. We got tired of cleaning our mice and changed to a "light" mouse. No more sticking:). (03/13/2008)
By Wendy
Hello Otis! Sorry, deals off about painting your house! Took the mouse apart, used tweezers to get the fluff and gunk out, gave it a wipe and polish and its as good as new! Too BUSY sitting at the computer. Now I have a usable mouse, to do any painting. Thanks everyone for your help. (03/13/2008)
By cettina
Well, shucks. But I'm glad the mouse is working as it should. (03/13/2008)
By JB
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