how to repair a worn out clicker on an optical mouse

After five years in a university computer lab, this mouse wouldn't respond to clicks very well, but after this two minute repair job, it's as sharp as it's first day!

All you need is a bad clicky mouse, like the one pictured, a phillips screwdriver, and a nail file.

Step 1 Remove the screw

There's only one screw in this model.

Comments

[z1vot]

Thanks, this tip was very helpful. Just repaired my left click. :)

[een8egeweldig]

It is funny because the mouse you used is the same exact model I have, very helpful!

[jmcguire pot farmer]

ive got the problem of the left clicker hardly working i know its the case not the actual button inside its deffo the case button but i dont see how this will fix it as the mouse needs them sticky out things to push the button how is making them smaller going to fix it ive got blue tac on mine to make 1 of them sticky out things longer so it hits the button better

[mitchellsingleton]

I was able to fill in the dimple with super glue. It creates a flat surface and just let it dry before reassembly. So far it is working great. I hesitated actually making the whole surface flat by remove height. Granted that i added height to the whole surface.

[gurcharan88]

my Microsoft mouse is deffer from the mouse shown here what should i do it has two problem 1 double click on left click and the other one is pointer not respond

[kkko]

Thanks, that is great

[m_coomer146]

Do you know how to put the springs back in?

[ntoogood]

I'm sure you already found this out, but this page has a few mouse diagrams on it: http://www.dansdata.com/moremouses.htm

And another instructables site here may help:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-a-mouse-wheel-not-click./step4/Reassemble/

[ntoogood]

Thank you so much, that worked perfectly! I was surprised, because the divot/indentation was so small, but filing worked great. There were several small raised portions of the surface, at the corners of the area to be filed, that looked like they were part of the original manufactured part. However, filing those off did not cause a problem with clicking.

[tahibabal]

wow it worked!!!.. my mouse broke, i click the left-click once but i went double click.. now, my mouse back to normal.. thx a lot ! , saved me 8$ or 75 thousand indonesian rupiah

[lbrewer42]

 This is brilliant, but I think I found a slightly easier way.  Since the parts you are filing off extend slightly higher than the dented area, I *think* these side parts are are there to prevent someone who is pushing down too hard from damaging the micro switch.  To eliminate the need to file anything, I simply cut a piece of duct tape into a tiny strip that would fit over the tiny indented area.  Of course I let some overlap so the tape does not come off and "form fitted" the tape along the sides of the plastic tabs so that it will stay there.  I just used a toothpick to press the tape down the sides of the tab.

I am thinking the duct tape will have enough cushioning to it that even if someone does press down too hard, the side projections can still help the switch not be ruined.

Of course I may also be wrong in my assumptions - however, the duct tape does work.  I did this to a Logitech Trackball mouse.  

Thanks for making this 'ible!

[sl33p]

SIR I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, YOU ARE A GENIUS. I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW FOR THE PAST YEAR FOR AN ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. AND NOW YOU, GREAT GOD, HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER!

[Fatcat87]

Do you think you could take a few close up pictures of the "hard to put back" springs. I received a bag of parts for this mouse and a very sweet please and one of the springs has me stumped

[Puoskcud]

The more Modern Dell (aka Logitech) Optical Mices have FOU (4) screws - two under the front sliding pad and two in the battery compartment under the "+" and "-" signs. They also have about a jillion parts, including a couple of springs on the side buttons, so dissamble them over a nice white sheet!

[admiral001]

Thanks for the great tip. I tried this on my Logitec trackball and it worked like a charm. i was about ready to buy a new one, you saved me $40.

[jeandeau]

Thank you for reminding us that often the problem is an easy fix of a less than obvious connection. I threw out my mouse thinking I would not easily find a replacement microswitch.

[royalestel]

This is a cool little idea. Thanks! I thought for sure you'd show how to replace a microswitch, but I like this much better!

[Mojo_JoJo]

Dang!!!.... I just replaced the micro switch of my mouse.

[Cinshine]

the wheel and springs fell out. I know it hard to put them back can you send me a picture on how they are supposed to go back in

[benjgvps]

heh, i just replaced my dell mouse because it would not work at all. the light won't work,buttons don't work, scroll wheel dosent work. i gutted it and it's in my junk box now.

[rnx]

one of your USB wires was cut.

[benjgvps]

nope, I soldered on some new wires but that dosent work. it is a 3-4 mouse.