Sticky buttons can result from prolonged use. The reason for this is that dirt and grime from your fingers can transfer onto the mouse. It’s not too late to clean it! It is possible to clean a mouse by opening it, taking out the electronics, and giving them a thorough scrub under the sink. Then, you can reassemble it. It should work perfectly as new in most cases.
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You will need these things:
- Use a microfiber cloth or cotton scrap to clean the gunk from the mouse. Microfiber cloths that are lint-free, such as those used to clean screens or eyeglasses will not leave behind fibers such as paper towels and other materials. For smaller areas, you can use a cotton wipe (such as a Q tip)
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (at least 70%) – For cleaning and sanitizing. Avoid using ammonia-containing cleaning agents (e.g. Windex) as they can cause damage to your mouse.
- Dry, clean, lint-free cotton rags for dusting and drying.
- Toothpicks– To clean out dust and other particles from around your mouse.
- Screwdriver (optional). – To remove the top of your mouse, if it is removable. For specific instructions on disassembly, check your mouse’s manual online.
- Tweezers (optional). – This tool is optional, but it’s very useful if you need to remove grit from certain areas (e.g. the circuit board of your mouse).
Step 1– Unscrew your mouse
Remove the mouse cable from your computer. Place the mouse on its back so that it faces you. Here is where you will find the screws that hold the casing together. A removable foam pad could conceal a screw if it isn’t visible. You can use your screwdriver for unscrewing the screw.
Step 2– Unlock it
There will be two parts to the mouse’s shell. The body is made up of these two pieces. You can pull the shell apart with your fingers in most cases. In some cases, you might need to use a thin piece of plastic like a bank card to gently separate them. To prevent the electronics from falling out, flip the mouse over on its side. To help you recall how to put it back together, you might want to snap a picture with your phone after the top shell has been removed.
Step 3– Take out the inner components
You can now remove the electronics from the box, and then separate the pieces. You should not touch any electrical components with your naked hands. This could cause serious damage to the circuits. Place each piece on a flat surface. To begin cleaning, move only the plastic parts to the sink.
Step 4– Cleaning sticky residue
Use a scourer or cloth to rub the plastic. Most plastic should be easy to clean. You can use cleaning alcohol, paste or baking soda to get rid of stubborn areas. Mixing water with toothpaste/baking soda will help. To clean the buttons under the buttons, tilt your mouse sideways. Rinse them with plenty of water.
Next, clean the mouse wheel to get rid of any hair or dirt that may have gotten caught between the groves. You may find a rubber ring on the wheel that can be removed from the centre disc. This rubber ring is usually removable and can be split into two pieces to get rid of dirt. To prevent the inner mouse from becoming sticky again, it is important to not skip this step.
Use a hairdryer to dry all plastic parts and prepare for the re-assembling of the mouse.
Step 5– Reassemble your mouse
To help you remember the parts, you can use the photo you took earlier.
- First, insert the plate that surrounds your mouse sensor into the bottom.
- Next, insert the mouse wheel into the hole. The thicker part should be pressed against the middle button.
- To allow the electronics to fall in place, twist the cable around the bottom shell’s front.
- Next, join the top and bottom shells together. This can be more challenging. Press the front and back ends of the top shell together, while lifting the back end to ensure that the plastic is properly inserted. After it is joined, you will hear a click. The rest of the shell will fit into place by pressing down firmly.
- The job is complete when you re-screw all the screws.
Step 6- Clean your Mousepad
No matter how clean your mouse pad, if it isn’t dirty your mouse will have poor performance and inconsistent tracking. To clean your mouse pad, you can either use a damp rag or a lint roller or brush to remove dust and hair.
- To prevent sticky residue buildup, you will likely need to clean the mouse pad with a lint roller.
Step 7- Is it effective?
After the mouse has been plugged in, check to make sure it is still working. If you have still problems, repeat the cleaning steps.
How often should a mouse need to be cleaned?
You should clean your mouse once a month. Dirt can quickly build up, preventing buttons from working properly. You could also wait until the problem reoccurs before cleaning again.
How to Get Rid of Stickiness
As mentioned. You can remove stickiness from the mouse by using a damp cloth to rub it. You can also use toothpaste or baking soda mixed in water to clean stubborn dirt. This will increase friction and aid in cleaning.
How do you clean an optical mouse sensor?
It doesn’t always have to be disassembled to clean the plastic in front of a mouse. A cotton swab dipped into alcohol is the best way to clean this area. It is small enough to poke and pry dirt from the hole. If that fails, you can open the mouse and remove the plastic cover. Lightly dust the glass that emits light.
Is it possible for a computer mouse to wear out?
While all things eventually fail, one of the best features of a computer mouse’s design is its absence of moving parts. A product with fewer parts can have less mechanical wear, and therefore a longer lifespan. The lifespan of electrical components can be reduced, often due to water damage or short-circuits. A computer mouse should last between 3-5 years and possibly longer in most cases.
