How I Fix My Mouse Inevitably Double-Clicking Issues

PC mice have a limited lifespan, often measured in millions of clicks. When your mouse starts double-clicking on a single press, it’s a sign the end is near – but it doesn’t have to be. Check out the quick fixes I use when this annoying issue pops up.

Speed Up Mouse Double-Click Speed

Double-clicking isn’t always due to hardware wear and tear – it could be a software issue. I prefer ruling that out before opting for more drastic measures. If the double-click speed in Windows has been set too low, it may register two separate clicks as a double click. Ensure that the double-click registration speed is fast in Windows mouse settings.

Go to Bluetooth & devices -> Mouse, and click on Additional mouse settings at the bottom.

Move to the Buttons tab, and ensure the Double-click speed is set to medium (in the middle).

Of course, you can increase or decrease the speed as you find comfortable, but medium is the default for Windows and what most people are used to.

Update/Reinstall Mouse Drivers

Corrupted or outdated drivers can also cause the mouse to double-click. I recommend using a driver updater tool, like iObit Driver Booster, to automatically update the mouse drivers. If your mouse comes with manufacturer software, then check the manufacturer’s website to see if a new version is available.

If there is no available update, try reinstalling the current drivers instead. Search for “device manager” in Windows Search, and open the Device Manager app.

Under the Mice and other pointing devices section, right-click on your mouse driver, and select Uninstall Device.

Restart the PC to reinstall the driver.

Remove Dust Below the Mouse Button

Dust between the mouse cap and switch can physically interfere with the mouse’s mechanical components, causing it to double-click. Thankfully, on most mice, you can lift the mouse cap to easily clean the dust.

Use your fingernail to pull up the mouse button from the front end. Once open, look for possible dust around the switch connector.

You can use a thin lint-free cloth or even cotton swabs to clean the dust inside. A cleaning solution like isopropyl alcohol can be used as well for better cleaning, but I personally never use it and find it redundant for this purpose.

Once clean, put a little pressure on the cap to re-close it.

Use a Third-Party Tool to Manage Click Debounce

If cleaning it didn’t fix the problem, and you don’t want to replace the switch, this workaround can possibly fix the problem. Typically, the double click that happens due to faulty hardware is quite fast compared to a normal human’s double-clicking speed. You can adjust the click debounce timer to add a small delay after a click, causing the double click to not be registered.

DoubleClickFix is a free and reliable app that will introduce a custom delay. It works for all the mouse buttons, and you can use the built-in testing tool to choose the right delay.

Launch the app, and select the mouse button you want to fix. Adjust the correction slider to introduce a delay. For me, a 60ms delay works great, as I almost never double-click faster than this. You can try anywhere between 15ms and 100ms to find a sweet spot, where accidental double-clicks don’t happen, and your intended double-clicks register properly.

You can test the change in the Test section on the right side of the app. It will show you which double-clicks are being ignored and registered. The delay at which faulty double-clicks are always ignored is the right one.

You need the app running in the background to fix the double-click issue. Enable the Run at Windows startup option to ensure it’s always working.

Remap the Click Button

Another workaround is to remap the mouse button to another mouse button or keyboard key. It will take some time to get used to it, but it’s a reliable workaround. For the left mouse button, I recommend switching it with the right mouse button. Mostly, this is because double-clicking the right mouse button doesn’t cause any issues in Windows and most other apps.

Go to Bluetooth & devices -> Mouse in Windows Settings. Change the Primary mouse button option from Left to Right.

For more advanced button remapping, X-Mouse Button Control is widely considered the go-to tool. It can remap specific actions, keyboard keys, and other mouse buttons to your mouse click.

Launch the app, and click on the drop-down menu next to the mouse button you want to remap. Select any other mouse button to remap the function. If you want to remap to a keyboard key, select Simulated keys, and choose your key in the next window.

Click the Apply button for the changes to take effect. The app needs to be running for remapping to work. Furthermore, it will start with Windows, so you may want to configure that in the Task Manager.

Wireless Mouse-Specific Issues

If you are using a wireless mouse, there could be other reasons causing the double-clicking, that wouldn’t apply to a wired mouse, such as the issues mentioned below:

Interference from Other Wireless Devices

A wireless mouse typically uses 2.4 GHz frequency, which is used by many other wireless devices, like Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, security cameras, etc. Other nearby wireless devices can cause interference with the signal, which can sometimes lead to double-clicks or missed clicks.

This can also happen if you have too many wireless devices connected to the PC. Try moving the mouse away from other wireless devices, or turn them off temporarily to see if it fixes the problem.

Low Battery Power

The low battery power of your mouse can also lead to the mouse not functioning properly, such as double-clicking. Typically, this is combined with mouse freezes and missed clicks as well. If that’s happening, try new batteries.

Weak Wireless Connection

The connection between the mouse and USB receiver should be strong. If there is too much distance or obstacles between the two, it can cause data to be misinterpreted, leading to double-clicks. Try to keep both in your direct line of sight and within three to six feet of each other.

Some Drastic Methods to Fix Hardware Problems

If you have tried everything and are about to just change out the mouse, consider that it may be a hardware issue. Try these drastic methods first in an attempt to fix the hardware problem.

Squeeze the button hard

This worked for my Logitech mouse once, so it may work for you as well. You can squeeze the button really hard, then shake it to possibly fix the issue. You’ll have to do this a few times to make it work. I am not sure how it actually fixes the problem, but it worked for me.

Get a new switch

You don’t have to buy a new mouse because of this problem, as a switch replacement could be cheaper. However, you’ll have to find the right switch for your mouse model on the manufacturer’s website or other websites that sell mouse parts.

Buying the switch should be easy, but soldering it to the mouse will be difficult. Check out our detailed guide on how to replace faulty mouse switches.

These methods should fix the problem at least temporarily, but eventually, you’ll have to replace your current mouse for a smooth experience. If the double-click is creating too many problems, temporarily use your Android phone as a PC mouse.

Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots and images by Karrar Haider.