How to Troubleshoot a Mouse Double Clicking: Easy Fixes

A simple guide to mouse troubleshooting on PC & Mac

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: September 29, 2025 Fact Checked

Is your mouse double-clicking everything, even when you only click the button once? This problem could be due to incorrect settings (like accidentally enabling ClickLock or turning your click speed too high), low batteries, or even a problem with your mouse's drivers. Read on to learn how to fix your mouse when it starts double-clicking when you only click once on your Windows or Mac computer.

Easily Fix a Double-Clicking Mouse

If your mouse is double-clicking when it should be single-clicking, check the mouse’s click speed settings first. On Windows, disable "ClickLock," and check your advanced mouse settings. You can also try cleaning your mouse to release stuck particles inside without disassembling it.

1

Adjust the Mouse's Double-Click Speed

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If the speed is set too high, your mouse might be registering excess clicks within a single click, causing the "double-click when I single-click" issue. Here's how to fix the click speed based on your operating system:
- Windows 10: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options. Drag the Double-click speed slider to the left to make it slower. If you move too close to Slow, however, Windows might consider two single clicks to be a double-click, which introduces a new issue. Double-click the folder icon on the right to test out your click speed.
- Windows 11: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings. In the window that pops up, select the Buttons tab. Adjust the Speed slider under the Double-click speed header.^{[1]
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- Mac: Go to System Settings > Mouse and adjust the slider next to "Double-Click Speed."

2

Turn Off ClickLock (Windows)

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Return to the same menu as before (Additional mouse options/settings) and make sure the last checkbox is unchecked. ClickLock allows you to highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button. If enabled, this setting may interfere with your normal clicking habits.

3

Replace the Batteries

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Your mouse may start to malfunction as the battery runs out. Replace the batteries if they are replaceable. If your mouse is rechargeable, plug it in and let it fully charge before trying again.

4

Use a Different USB Port

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Rule out problems with the USB port by testing out your mouse in a different one. Whether you have a wired or wireless mouse, it likely uses USB to connect–even many Bluetooth mice have USB dongles. Unplug the USB cable or dongle, and try moving it to another port on your computer to see if the issue is with your USB port, cable, or dongle.
- If your mouse is plugged into a USB hub, rule out problems with the hub by bypassing it entirely. Plugging the mouse directly into your computer's USB port may fix the problem.
- If the original port was the problem, you'll notice the double-clicking issue will stop when the mouse is connected to a new port.

5

Try the Mouse on a Different Computer

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This will let you know if it's a hardware or software issue with your mouse. If it's a hardware issue, you'll continue to experience the double-clicking issue no matter what computer you're using.

6

Clean the Mouse

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Use a small tool like a toothpick to remove gunk and debris from small crevices and around the scroll wheel. If your mouse has a trackball, remove it and clean each of the sensors gently. You can use a can of compressed air or blow under the area where you click—there might be a wad of dust or a chip remnant stuck there that's preventing your mouse from clicking properly.
- Some Reddit users report this fix: Squeeze the buttons for about 10 seconds (really hard, though be careful not to break them). Shake the mouse. Blow into the underside of the mouse (near the buttons) and shake it again. You may need to repeat this process a few times to get this temporary fix working.^{[2]
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- For more mouse-cleaning tips, check out How to Clean a Computer Mouse.

7

Disable Mouse Keybinds

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Your saved keybinds can be corrupted and cause the entire mouse to malfunction. If you have specific software, like Logi Options+ for some Logitech mice, open it and remove any keybindings you have set up.
- You might need to try disabling some buttons, too. For some users, disabling the middle mouse button fixed the clicking issue.^{[3]
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  Research source} Others with more mouse buttons needed to disable the M4 button.

8

Restart the Computer and Mouse

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Your computer might glitch as it starts up, and the mouse won't work. To fix the mouse problem:
- Turn off your PC and unplug everything from it, including your USB mouse.
  - You can turn off your computer without using your mouse by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del, pressing Tab to highlight the Power icon, and pressing Enter.
  - On a Mac, press and hold the "Power" button for more than 1.5 seconds.
- Turn on your computer.
- After the computer turns on, plug everything in.

9

Adjust File Explorer Settings (Windows)

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There's a setting that changes a folder's behavior from double-clicking to single-clicking, which can make you think that your mouse is double-clicking when you click once. Here's what to do to change this setting:
- Open File Explorer (press Win + E). If you're using Windows 10, click View > Options. If you're using Windows 11, click the three-dot menu icon and select Options. Make sure the setting is Double-click to open… under the "Click items as follows" header.

10

Update Your Mouse Drivers and Firmware

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All mice need updated drivers to function properly. However, not all mice come with a firmware suite that keeps you updated (like Logi Options+). If you have an older mouse with fewer features, you won't need to worry about firmware updates. However, if you have a high-end gaming mouse, check your mouse's software or the manufacturer's website for updates.
- Regardless of how fancy your mouse is, you should keep your drivers up-to-date. There are a few different ways that you can do this:
  - Automatically for Windows and Mac: Most operating systems will automatically update drivers with a security update. For Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security (Win 10 only) > Windows Update > Check for updates. For Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.^{[4]
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  - Manually using Device Manager in Windows: Open Device Manager and double-click to expand "Mice and other pointing devices". Click your mouse's name and select Update Driver.

11

Replace Your Mouse

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If your mouse continues to double-click when you only click once, it's likely time for a new mouse. While there's no commonly accepted life expectancy for a mouse, high-end gaming mice tend to last 2 to 5 years.^{[5]
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Research source} If you tend to go hard on your mouse while gaming, use your mouse in a dusty environment, or have spilled food, drink, or other liquids into your mouse, its life span may be reduced. Similarly, if you have used the same mouse for a long time, the spring might have worn out.^{[6]
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Research source} Fortunately, you can find a new gaming mouse, or any other type of mouse, on Amazon, as well as in many physical retail stores.