How to use the mouse test
- Move the pointer over the test area. The coordinates should change smoothly as you move.
- Click the left, right and middle buttons one at a time and check that the matching counter goes up by exactly one.
- Press the side buttons if your mouse has them. They are usually Back and Forward.
- Scroll up and down slowly, then quickly, and watch the scroll counter and status line.
- Click the left button steadily for a while and watch Fast repeats. It should stay at zero.
Reading the result
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| A button counter never changes | The button is not sending a click, or software has remapped it |
| Fast repeats goes up while you single-click | Switch chatter: a worn switch registering one press as two |
| Scroll sometimes shows the wrong direction | A dirty or worn scroll-wheel encoder |
| Pointer jumps or stutters while moving | Surface, sensor dirt, low battery or wireless interference |
| Side buttons do nothing | Some mice need their own software to send Back and Forward |
What "Fast repeats" means
A mouse switch should send one press for one click. As switches wear, they can bounce and send two presses a few milliseconds apart, which is why a worn mouse starts double-clicking on its own or drops a dragged file. This test counts left clicks that arrive less than 80 milliseconds after the previous one. That is faster than most people can deliberately double-click, so repeats while you are single-clicking point to the switch. Test for a minute or two, since chatter is often intermittent.
If you see chatter, check the mouse software for a debounce setting first, and check the warranty, because switch wear on a newer mouse is often covered. The full process is in our guide to mouse click and scroll problems.
Tips for a fair test
- Use a mouse pad or a plain, non-reflective surface. Glass and glossy desks confuse many optical sensors.
- For wireless mice, plug the receiver into a front port or use an extension cable to bring it closer, away from USB 3 devices that can cause interference.
- Turn off button remapping or macro profiles in the mouse software while testing, so you see what the hardware sends.
Why does the right-click menu not appear?
The test area suppresses the context menu so the right button can be counted. Right-click works normally everywhere else. The side buttons are also kept from navigating back a page while the pointer is in the test area, although a few browsers may still do so.
More troubleshooting guides
Reviewed October 2026 · How we test · Report a problem