How to Check for Mouse Double Clicking (and Fix It)

If your mouse sometimes opens a file with one click, drops things you are dragging or fires twice in a game, it may have a double click problem. Here is how to check and what to do.

What is mouse double clicking?

A mouse switch contains small metal contacts. Over time they wear, and one press can “bounce” and send two signals instead of one. Because the second signal arrives within a few milliseconds, it looks like a real double click to your computer.

Test it in your browser

1. Open the double click test.
2. Click the pad slowly and deliberately, one press at a time.
3. Watch the interval between clicks. Intervals under about 45 ms are faster than a person can click on purpose and are flagged as possible chatter.
4. Repeat for 20 or more clicks and note how often it happens.

You can also check each button with the mouse button test.

One flag or many?

An occasional flag can happen on a healthy mouse. Frequent, repeating flags on the same button point to a worn switch.

Things to try

• Update or reinstall the driver and check for a “debounce” setting in your mouse software.
• Try another USB port or cable to rule out a connection issue.
• Clean the mouse with compressed air around the button seams.
• Warranty: many manufacturers replace mice with switch faults.
• Replace the switch only if you are comfortable with electronics; it is not a task for beginners.

Important caveat

A browser test shows what your browser receives; it cannot prove what is wrong inside the mouse. Use it as a first step.