An otherwise perfectly good OPTICAL mouse I have for the laptop has become become defective because of the CENTER wheel. As I move the wheel it doesn't work smoothly like it used to, moving the screen up and down. Now, the screen jumps back and forth. Obviously it is just very dirty inside. I can find no where to take it apart. No screws, it must just pop together.Before I break it, trying to take it apart, has anyone found a cleaner to apply to the wheel that can be rotated on the wheel to the inside of the mouse and clean the connection?I have tried rubbing alcohol, but it only worked for a short time.Edit: Thanks to all. I edited this OP because I wasn't clear I was working on an optical mouse, center button/wheel.

The old style mice with the ball have two small wheels (one for up-down one for left-right) inside. Those wheels get a coating of lint, dirt, etc. and that is what causes the mouse to skip. If you can't reach these then go get an optical mouse. The optical mouse does not have parts that cause this problem.

Here are some generic instructions: How to clean mouse scroll wheel.If you can't find the screw holding it together, try looking under labels, rubber feet or within the battery compartment (if one exists).Cleaning it will certainly be cheaper than replacing it as long as you don't mind taking the time to do it.

This is an optical mouse.The wheel in question is the center button/wheel on top of the mouse.

Got that, which is why I posted instructions for that type of mouse.

Tips or tricks for cleaning a mouse wheel? | Good Sam Community

Stefonius
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
joebedford wrote:
I took mine apart and took the cat hair out of the spokes of the optical wheel. Works like new.

Now if I could only figure out how to clean my sticky-keyed keyboard...
Keyboards are easy. Unplug (obviously), then take a picture of the keyboard in case you forget where the keys go. Pop the key tops off with gentle pressure from a butter knife inserted between them.

Clean them with your favorite cleaner and make sure they're completely dry before reattaching. They should just pop back on.

The only exceptions are the large keys, such as the spacebar, shift, enter, and num pad "+" keys. Those will have a metal loop keeping them parallel when installed. Make sure to insert the bottom of the loop under the keepers on the keyboard before re-seating the keys.

Good as new!
mark5w
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
He has an optical mouse, and no balls.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2013
Cleaning mouse wheels is easy. Cleaning mouse balls takes a very small washcloth.

:D
strollin
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
Johno02 wrote:
Back years ago, when mice had tails, there was a memo, allegedly from IBM as a technical bulletin, labeled "How to Clean Mouse Balls". I remember seeing it many times, but alas, IBM finally gathered all the evidence and shredded them.

It's readily available on-line: IBM mouse balls memo
joebedford
Nomad II
Oct 09, 2013
I took mine apart and took the cat hair out of the spokes of the optical wheel. Works like new.

Now if I could only figure out how to clean my sticky-keyed keyboard...
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2013
WD40. Do not disassemble.
Johno02
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
Go to Walmart and get a Logitech wireless optical mouse and throw away the old one. Not worth the time to take it apart.
wittmeba
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
If it is the ball type, where the ball meets the rollers (usually 2 - 1 for vertical 1 for horizontal) they get oily and slip causing erratic movement. You can clean them by removing the ball and use a Q-tip with alcohol or some other cleaner (even Windex). Clean the ball too.

or as others suggest get a new mouse - they are not expensive.

http://www.staples.com/computer+mouse/directory_computer+mouse?rpp=72&pn=1&sr=true
MattontheRoad
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
An optical mouse is way better. I haven't seen anyone using a mouse with a ball in years and years. You'll notice a big difference, and like teddychamp says, they are really inexpensive. Even a cheap one will perform better than a mouse with a ball.
Winged_One
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
mark5w wrote:
Good feeling to fix things yourself. Plus saved $15

:)

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