Sometimes your mouse starts scrolling by itself, which makes you feel very annoyed and confused. This issue is usually associated with a wireless mouse, but can also affect a USB or laptop touchpad. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot your mouse before you think of replacing it, which can be expensive, especially if the problem is occurring on the laptop touchpad.
External Mouse
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Step 1
Check the batteries if you are using a wireless mouse. A wireless mouse tends to scroll the pages when the batteries are weak. Once you have changed the batteries the mouse starts working accurately.
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Step 2
Check the synchronization of the wireless mouse. Check to see if the receiver's light is blinking or unstable. Re-synchronize the mouse by pressing the button on the receiver station. This will refresh the settings. Check your wireless mouse manual for the re-synchronization instructions if your station does not have a button.
Step 3
Look around your desk and notice whether any wireless devices like an iPod, Cordless phone or cellular are sitting next to the mouse. These devices can affect the functioning of mouse. If you find any wireless devices nearby, change their locations. Your mouse may start working properly.
Step 4
Change the mouse connection to another port to make sure it isn't the USB port that is failing. Blow compressed air into all USB ports before reconnecting the mouse.
Step 5
Remove any patch, update or program you recently installed that may be causing the scrolling. If you recently installed a patch, program or update, some of the files may be corrupt, which could cause the scrolling. Go to "Start,""Control Panel" and "Programs," and select the program, patch or update that you last installed. Click on "Uninstall." Restart the computer and reinstall the program.
Step 6
Reinstall or update the driver software for the mouse, as it can be corrupted or outdated. Update the software by visiting the manufacturer's website. Input your mouse model number and click on the download link. Choose to "Save" the file when prompted to save or run it and click on the icon twice to install the new driver. Use the mouse as you normally do.
Step 7
Go to "Start" and "Control Panel." Choose "Security Center" and click on "Firewall Settings." Turn the firewall off as sometimes the mouse is blocked automatically or mistakenly by the firewall.
Step 8
Run your antivirus program as the problem may be caused by a virus. If you don't have a good antivirus program, download and install a free antivirus program like AVG, Avira or Avast.
Step 9
Replace the mouse to get rid of the problem if none of these troubleshooting techniques worked.
Touchpad Mouse
Step 1
Go to "Start" and "Programs." Choose your antivirus program. Click on "Scan" when the program opens. Download a free antivirus program like Avast, Avira or AVG if you don't have an antivirus installed on your machine. A virus may be the cause of your computer scrolling issues.
Step 2
Update your touchpad drivers from the computer manufacturer site. Locate the support section and input your computer model. Click on "Downloads" or "Drivers" and look for the mouse pad driver. Click the "Download" link and choose to save the driver when asked to save or run the program. Click on the icon twice to install it. Restart your machine and see if the scrolling problem is gone.
Step 3
Remove any update, patch or program that you recently installed that may be causing the problem. Corrupt files may have installed and are causing the mouse problem. Go to "Start" and "Control Panel." Select "Programs." Select the last program you installed and click "Uninstall." Use the mouse to see if the problem is gone. Re-download and install the application again.
Step 4
Connect an external mouse to the laptop. Disable the internal mouse by going to "Start" and "Control Panel." Choose "Printers and other Hardware." Select "Mouse" from the new window that appears and click on the "Hardware" tab. Select the touchpad mouse from the drop-down list and click on "Properties." Choose to disable the device. Use the external mouse and the scrolling should stop. Send the laptop to a repair shop if you want the touchpad to function again, or simply use the external mouse and keep the touchpad disabled.