How to Troubleshoot a Dell Mouse

By Bonnie Conrad

Check your mouse often to avoid potential problems.
i computer mouse image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com

Dell is a widely known and well respected name in the world of computer hardware, and for the most part the products it makes can provide many years of trouble-free service. Even so, it is important for computer owners to have some basic troubleshooting skills. Knowing how to fix common problems such as issues with the Dell mouse can save you a lot of time and trouble. Whether you have a wired or a wireless mouse, knowing how to solve common problems will help you be more productive.

Log on to your computer and click "Start." Choose "Control Panel" from the menu.

Click the "System" tab to open the system properties window. Click the "Hardware" tab and then"Device Manager." Click the "Mouse and other pointing devices" option, then right-click "Update driver." This will force the operating system to search for and install the latest driver for your mouse.

Go back to the Control Panel and double-click the "Mouse" icon. Click the "Pointer Speed" tab and adjust the pointer speed. Test the mouse action at several different speeds to determine which one works best.

Unscrew the bottom of the mouse and remove the mouse ball if you are working with a traditional mouse and not an optical one. Place the mouse ball over the top of the isopropyl alcohol bottle and tip the bottle to coat the ball. Move the ball to the other side and repeat the process until the entire ball is coated. Wipe the mouse ball off with a clean dry cloth and put it back in the mouse.

Flip the mouse over if it is an optical mouse and clean away any dust from the area around the laser pointer. Also thoroughly clean the mousing surface to make sure it is perfectly smooth. Dell mice can be very sensitive to uneven surfaces. Clean the area completely, allow it to dry and try your mouse again.

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