How to test a mouse or trackpad
Do each action inside the box: left click, right click, double-click, scroll up, scroll down, and click and drag. Each one turns green as soon as it registers. Optional checks cover the middle click (pressing the scroll wheel), sideways scrolling, pinch to zoom on a trackpad, and the back and forward side buttons on gaming and office mice. Nothing is installed and nothing leaves your browser.
Mouse double-clicking by itself?
This is the most common mouse fault. The metal switch under the left button wears out and "bounces", so one press registers as two clicks. The test counts clicks that arrive less than 60 milliseconds apart, which is faster than anyone can double-click on purpose, and warns you if it sees them. Click normally about 20 times: any warning means the switch is failing. Cleaning rarely fixes it for long. The fix is a replacement switch or a new mouse.
What the numbers mean
- Double-click: the time between the two clicks of your last double-click. Windows accepts double-clicks up to 500 ms apart by default (Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Mouse › Additional mouse settings).
- Pointer rate: how often the mouse reports its position while you move it quickly in circles. Office mice report about 125 Hz, gaming mice 500 to 8,000 Hz. Browsers can limit this, so treat it as an estimate.
- Input: whether the browser sees a mouse or trackpad, a pen, or touch.
Trackpad not working properly?
- Make sure the trackpad isn't turned off: many Windows laptops have an Fn key or a double-tap corner that disables it. Check Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Touchpad.
- Two-finger scrolling or right-clicking not working? Turn them on in the touchpad settings (Mac: System Settings › Trackpad).
- A pointer that jumps or drifts can be caused by moisture or a charger with electrical noise. Dry your hands and test again unplugged.
- A trackpad that sits higher than the case, or clicks unevenly, can be pushed up by a swollen battery underneath. Stop using the laptop and get the battery replaced.
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Checking a whole laptop? The laptop diagnostic includes this test, plus the keyboard, screen, webcam, battery and ports.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test if my mouse is double-clicking?
Click normally inside the test box about 20 times. The test warns you if two clicks arrive less than 60 milliseconds apart, which is faster than a deliberate double-click. Repeated warnings mean the left button switch is worn.
How do I test my laptop touchpad?
Inside the box, click, right-click with two fingers, double-click, scroll up and down with two fingers, and click and drag. Each action turns green. Also move the pointer slowly across the box to check it does not jump or drift.
How do I check my mouse polling rate?
Move the mouse quickly in circles inside the box. Pointer rate shows about how many position reports per second the browser receives, typically 125 Hz for office mice and 500 to 8,000 Hz for gaming mice. Browsers can limit the rate, so treat it as an estimate.
Why does my scroll wheel jump or scroll the wrong way?
A dirty or worn scroll wheel encoder makes the page jump up while you scroll down. Blow compressed air around the wheel and test again. If Scroll up lights up while you only scroll down, the encoder is failing.