Silencing of the Silent Mouse (Logitech M330)

Everyone is using computer mouse every day. Most mice have audible click when button is pressed. This can be useful feedback to some. Others may find it annoying, specially if you are not alone at the moment. So after tying several silent units from different sources it was clear that none of them are really silent. Usually not even close or maybe only if one is extremely careful and deliberate to make that click softly. If you are working or playing next to someone who is irritated by the clicks, you will quickly find out how inadequate most products are. So I decided to stick with products from reputable manufacturer but still had to tinker with it to make it better, because quality departments don't seem to catch things like this.

I have couple of the M330. The one that is shown in this instructable is actually in my workshop and the right mouse button was getting sticky. Silence is not imperative at this place but since i already had it open and fixed the issue, I decided to use the opportunity to modify it like i did with the others and share the details for those who value silence...

So why choose Logitech M330 Silent Plus?

Well i needed wireless mouse that is robust, well built, silent. supports unifying receiver, has three buttons, fits my hand and it is not rechargeable and does not have any unwanted features in the way (DPI selection for example).

To me robust means solid build and to have LARGE friction pads. This is one thing that cheap mice skimp on, they put the small surface pads using cheap glue and sooner than you know it the pads slide off. This has several effects, for example mouse is not as easy to move around (pads are low friction but they are gone now), if used on hard surface they may scratch it and optics is no longer at perfect distance from the mousepad. This means that in the best case mouse is not as accurate or snappy as it should be or in worst case, it is really problematic and may not work on all surfaces you intend to use it on.

Rechargeable units are just too painful and too much hassle. I like to insert battery and forget about it. This lasts easily 2 years or more. Much better than fiddling with the cable every few weeks and apparently always when one needs the mouse.

Mice with more buttons are not something I really need or use often and the extra buttons are just clutter. And loud. Any silent mouse is really only silent on the primary two buttons, maybe three... The special annoyance for me is the too easily changed DPI. This may be something gamers find useful but it just does not work for me. I want this fixed and not changing depending on how i put my hand on the mouse.

Scroll wheel is usually really loud, specially on some models like my old and trusty Microsoft M510 mouse. That used to be one of my favs since product is also well built but ... it is insanely loud, specially the scroll wheel. It would wake the dead...

Logitech M330 Silent Plus fits all of my criteria and it is reasonably silent out of box... (has the right switches).

The problem is with loud creaking or rattling noise any time it is touched even gently. So do not take hand of the mouse (sigh...). And even then one need to make deliberate effort to not make loud noise and that is just not practical. So what is the problem?

The biggest factor in making silent mouse are switches and M330 has small and quiet micro push buttons. Another thing is that silent mice use switches with short travel. This means that moving surfaces are close to each other and not moving parts. As a result even slight tap causes contact and - loud noise. You can see and hear that in the attached video.

M330 has those parts in close proximity as well and they have large area. So it is easy to make it louder than one may desire. I have experimented in the past with silencing and have found that placing really thin layer of padding between some of the surfaces dramatically reduces or eliminates the noise. I tried several materials but masking tape is the simplest to apply, it stays in place since already adhesive and it is just the right thickness. So lets fix the rattle...

Supplies

1. Logitech M330 Silent Plus
2. scissors
3. small screwdriver (flat) or similar to release latches
4. small screwdriver (Philips)
5. masking tape

Step 1: Opening Mouse

Turn off mouse, remove battery and puncture or remove label to access Philips screw. Once the screw is removed mouse easily comes apart. If needed help it carefully by inserting flat blade screwdriver into openings at the back side edge. Back side needs to open up before the top and bottom can be separated as there are two hooks at the front near mouse buttons.

Step 2: Optional - Replacing Damaged Button

You can skip this step as your mouse will likely have buttons in working order. Mine was sticky so i decided to take a look and that is why i took the mouse apart in the first place. Replacing switch requires soldering skill and taking single tiny Phillips screw near middle button. I had tons of replacement switches of different shape and size but none were silent. So i tried to hack the existing one. It was a success but it looks ugly since I was using soldering iron to join the pieces back together. It is inside and functionality is much more important than looks so i was ok with that. If you are removing PCB be careful with reassembly. Make sure that power switch and the switch operating button are on the same side at the moment PCB is placed back.

Step 3: Separating Cover

To remove cover from mouse body, use flat blade screwdriver to unhook for latches.

Step 4: Applying Padding to Silence the Rattle

place single layer of masking tape as shown. do not place tape near openings for the buttons or they will jam. Press the tape against LED light pipe. That will pierce the tape and make LED visible as well as allow assembling the cover with the body. i purposely left some tape in places where the four latches are to make tighter fit.

Step 5: Reassembly

Reassembly is the same process in reverse order. Snap the top mouse cover onto body. Make sure no tape is visible and interfering with button movements. Tap it with finger to hear if the noise is still there. If needed redo the previous step. Next assemble the mouse body with the bottom part. Make sure that front two hooks are catching properly then back side will seat without issue. Put the screw back, insert battery and close the battery compartment.

Step 6: Try It Out

For comparison of noise level i included some of the mice i used in the past (different vintage).

HP is really really old, I do not remember how long ago i had wired mouse.

Microsoft M510 mouse is a really nice in many ways. It is robust, large and heavy (two batteries). Friction pads could be larger but they are ok. The real problem is that it is really loud... specially the scroll wheel. It was one of my favorite mice models before i decided i do not need or use 5 buttons very often but would really like something more silent.

The modified M330 Silent Plus is that and I love it. In normal use this is completely inaudible and that is without making an effort...

I hope you can judge from the before and after videos that noise is reduced considerably, specially from the top, middle or back. In actual use on a mouse pad this is practically inaudible. Tilting scroll wheel is did not change and this was acceptable.

The whole operation took about 30 min since i was also repairing the switch. If you have supplies at hand, soundproofing could be done in few minutes and i think it is well worth it... And yes, of course it took much longer previously when i was experimenting with padding. Hope you like it. Please feel free to leave any feedback.