How to Troubleshoot a Mouse Double Clicking: Easy Fixes

A simple guide on troubleshooting your mouse

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: June 2, 2025 Fact Checked

Is your mouse double-clicking everything, even when you only click the button once? While this is more common with Windows computers, you can also experience this issue with a Mac. Read on to learn more about fixing your mouse when it starts double-clicking.

Easily Fix a Double-Clicking Mouse

If your mouse is double-clicking, check the mouse’s click speed setting first. If you’re using Windows, disable "ClickLock" and check your advanced mouse settings. You can also try a cleaning method that helps release stuck particles inside the mouse without disassembling it.

1

Change the mouse click speed setting.

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If the speed is set too high, your mouse might be registering excess clicks within a single click, causing the "double-click when I single-click" issue. Here's how to fix the click speed based on your operating system:
- Windows 10 : Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options . Drag the Double-click speed slider to the left, which is slower. If you move too close to Slow , however, Windows might consider two single clicks to be a double-click, which introduces a new issue. Double-click the folder icon on the right to test out your click speed.
- Windows 11 : Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings . In the window that pops up, select the Buttons tab. Adjust the Speed slider under the Double-click speed header. ^{[1]
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- Mac : Go to System Settings > Mouse and adjust the slider next to "Double-Click Speed."

2

Make sure ClickLock isn't enabled on Windows.

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Return to the same menu as before (Additional mouse options/settings) and make sure the last checkbox is unchecked. ClickLock allows you to highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button. If enabled, this setting may interfere with your normal clicking habits.

3

Replace the batteries if your mouse has batteries.

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Mice will start to malfunction as they get lower in power. If your mouse is rechargeable, plug it in and let it fully charge.

4

Use another USB port.

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Whether your mouse is wired or wireless, it probably has a USB cable or dongle. Many Bluetooth-enabled mice use a USB dongle to connect to the computer. You should move it to another port on your computer to see if the issue is your USB port, cable, or dongle.
- Avoid using a USB hub and plug it directly into your computer.
- If the port on your computer isn't good, then you'll notice that your mouse behavior has improved.

5

Try the mouse with another computer if you can.

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This will let you know if it's a hardware or software issue with your mouse. If it's a hardware issue, you'll continue to experience the double-clicking issue no matter what computer you're using.

6

Clean your mouse.

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Use a small tool like a toothpick to remove gunk and debris from small crevices. If your mouse has a trackball, remove it and clean each of the sensors gently. You can use a can of air or blow under the area where you click—there might be a wad of dust or a chip remnant stuck there that's preventing your mouse from clicking properly.
- Some users report this fix: Squeeze the buttons for about 10 seconds (really hard, though be careful not to break it). Shake the mouse. Blow into the underside of the mouse (near the buttons) and shake it again. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get this temporary fix working. ^{[2]
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- If you have used the same mouse for a long time, the spring might have worn out; you'll need to take it apart to repair it, but it's most likely easier to buy a new one. ^{[3]
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7

Remove your mouse keybinds.

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Your saved keybinds can be corrupted and cause the entire mouse to malfunction. If you have specific software, like Logi Options+ for some Logitech mice, open it and remove any keybindings you have set up.
- You might need to try disabling some buttons, too. For some users, disabling the middle mouse button fixed the clicking issue. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source} Others with more mouse buttons needed to disable the M4 button.

8

Restart the computer and your mouse.

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Your computer might glitch as it starts up, and the mouse won't work. To fix the mouse problem:
- Turn off your PC and unplug everything from it, including your USB mouse. (You can turn off your computer without using your mouse by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del , pressing Tab to highlight the Power icon, and pressing Enter .) On a Mac, press and hold the "Power" button for more than 1.5 seconds.
- Turn on your computer.
- After the computer turns on, plug everything in.

9

Check your File Explorer settings in Windows.

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There's a setting that changes a folder's behavior from double-clicking to single-clicking, which can make you think that your mouse is double-clicking when you click once. Here's what to do to change this setting:
- Open File Explorer (press Win + E ). If you're using Windows 10, click View > Options . If you're using Windows 11, click the three-dot menu icon and select Options . Make sure the setting is Double-click to open… under the "Click items as follows" header.

10

Update your mouse driver and firmware.

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All mice need updated drivers to function properly. However, not all mice come with a firmware suite that keeps you updated (like Logi Options+). Older mice with fewer features most likely don't have to worry about firmware updates, but users with fancy mice should check their mice's software or the manufacturer's website for those.
- Everyone, regardless of how fancy or not fancy your mouse is, must keep their drivers up-to-date . There are a few different ways that you can do this:
  - Automatically for Windows and Mac : Most operating systems will automatically update drivers with a security update. For Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security (Win 10 only) > Windows Update > Check for updates . For Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update . ^{[5]
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  - Manually using Device Manager in Windows : Open Device Manager and double-click to expand "Mice and other pointing devices". Click your mouse's name and select Update Driver .

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How to Troubleshoot a Mouse Double Clicking: Easy Fixes

Easily Fix a Double-Clicking Mouse

Steps

Change the mouse click speed setting.

Make sure ClickLock isn't enabled on Windows.

Replace the batteries if your mouse has batteries.

Use another USB port.

Try the mouse with another computer if you can.

Clean your mouse.

Remove your mouse keybinds.

Restart the computer and your mouse.

Check your File Explorer settings in Windows.

Update your mouse driver and firmware.

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