The mouse and keyboard are the main peripherals that we can use to interact with the PC, regardless of its operating system. If one of them stops working, especially the mouse, we may face a serious problem if we do not know how to move around the system without using it.
The mouse wheel for scrolling is one of the best inventions in this category of devices, because it allows us to scroll through a web page or document by sliding our finger across the wheel, without having to move the mouse towards the upper or lower corner. of the application or browser and press the left mouse button to access the information it contains.
If this wheel starts to work erratically or doesn’t work at all, we have a serious problem. The first thing we need to do is identify what the problem is in order to find the solution.
Scroll wheel not working
By default, Windows configures mouse wheel scrolling to move a series of lines with each click of the wheel, regardless of manufacturer. If, overnight, the mouse wheel moves more lines than usual, showing very abrupt scrolling, we have a problem as if the scrolling is very slow and we have to turn the wheel several times to display the information displayed.
It is also possible that the mouse wheel is stuck and is not performing the function it is designed to do. Another sign that tells us that mouse scrolling is not working properly is if we notice that we have to use more force to turn it. These are some of the main reasons that help us identify that mouse scrolling is not working correctly, a problem that in most cases has a very simple solution.
Solve the problem
The solution to this problem is much simpler than many users think, provided it is not a hardware problem, i.e. the mouse itself. By following the tips that we show you below, we can recover the scrolling function of any mouse.
- Check Windows Settings. When moving the scroll wheel causes content to appear faster or slower than normal, we need to access the mouse configuration options to change the number of lines it scrolls. This option is found in the Windows configuration options (Win + i), in the Devices > Mouse section.
- Open it to clean the interior. The mouse, like any keyboard and the interior of the computer, over time accumulates a lot of dirt from the environment in which it is located, without cutting the dirt that accumulates inside if we use with dirty hands. Opening the mouse is the first thing to do if the mouse wheel doesn’t move or you have to use more force than usual to make it work. To clean it, it is recommended to use a can of compressed air to expel any residue inside. It is not recommended to use brushes as some hair may fall out during the process and affect its operation.
- Check that the axis is working. The mouse wheel is located on two axes that send the signal to the mouse to do its job. If one of the wheel supports is broken or obstructed, the sensor captures different information that it is not able to interpret. With the mouse open, remove the wheel and check that the support is intact. Moreover, we can take the opportunity to clean and grease it so that its operation is much smoother.
The operation of any mouse is very simple and has no mystery. If after following the advice we give you we still do not resolve the problem, it is most likely that it has reached its useful life and has stopped working.