How do I restore a worn out mouse button?

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mattkane

Weaksauce
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
103
I think everyone is familiar with this problem. One of the mouse buttons wears out so it does not feel responsive any more. The lazy return movement of the button causes e.g. non-wanted drag'n'drop effects.

Is there any simple method to fix this? I've tried to bend the ear plate (correct term?) upwards, but it does not seem to help. More --force and it will probably snap. Could try to put some up-bending force (screwdriver, toothpick) overnight, though.

I don't like the idea of having to buy a brand new mouse when everything else is working fine with the old one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk3Ljfo_9fI

"This short video demonstrates how the left mouse button is much more worn out than the right one. Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 (USB/PS2, optical)."
 
mattkane said:
I think everyone is familiar with this problem. One of the mouse buttons wears out so it does not feel responsive any more. The lazy return movement of the button causes e.g. non-wanted drag'n'drop effects.

Is there any simple method to fix this? I've tried to bend the ear plate (correct term?) upwards, but it does not seem to help. More --force and it will probably snap. Could try to put some up-bending force (screwdriver, toothpick) overnight, though.

I don't like the idea of having to buy a brand new mouse when everything else is working fine with the old one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk3Ljfo_9fI

"This short video demonstrates how the left mouse button is much more worn out than the right one. Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 (USB/PS2, optical)."
Click to expand...

everything wears out. i had that with a mouse during a lan, the left click would stick, so i said screw it and bought a new mouse. personally, i think you'd be much happier with a new mouse that will last a couple of years than to buy a mouse that will probably break again....very soon.
 
I took a look at an old Microsoft mouse that I had thrown away. The plastic mouse bag had two strange iron pins. The pins had rounded heads. Now at last, I realized that those pins might have been included just for this "worn out button restoring" purpose.

I'll let them be in place for a week and then check if the lazy left button has been revived. A report in HardForum will follow.

I uploaded an image of the mouse having the "push up bra" to Imageshack. It should be seen at the bottom of this message.



http://img358.imageshack.us/my.php?image=microsoftmousetwistedironpinsbv2.jpg

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7236/microsoftmousetwistedironpinsbv2.jpg
 
The little micro switch inside needs replacing, see if you can get one from another dead mouse...

I had a Microsoft mouse like that that I added an oscillator (555-timer) circuit with extra switch ~10-15Hz... Used it when I played CS... that way it saved the switch from being hammered all the time.
 
I agree that if the micro switch is worn out, there is not much to do without buying new parts and warm up a soldering iron. It would be an easy solution to just buy a new mouse, but I think it is a waste to throw away an expensive part when 95 % of its technology works without problems. There really should be changeable spare parts for buttons...

However, after being bended for a week this older Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical 1.1A feels much responsive than before. The newer Microsoft Explorer 3.0 is now being "reverse-bended" for a week or two with those same pins. Let's see how it works after that.
 
Mice (or is it Mouses, was there ever an agreement of what the computer version should be called?) are hardly that exepensive. I have never payed more than $20 for a mouse, and that was by far the most for my last, an Intel IntelliMouse Blue, which has served me very well for four years or more. I've actually never had a mouse die on me for any reason besides the cord going into the mouse gets loose and loses the connection (then again, I had only used cheapo Mitsumi ball mice till that one).
 
After testing this "bending the buttons back with pins" method for a couple of weeks I have come to the frightening conclusion that it only helps a little but not enough. Therefore I have to buy a brand new mouse just because of one worn out button.

What a waste! Thankfully, we have somewhat working recycling system here in Finland nowadays. Especially hardware shops are obligated to take care of used devices (tv and other electric peripherals). Although I am not a hippie, I think we - the "civilized and modern people" - produce way too much garbage, especially the type that is hard to dispose.

So much for the lament. Could you please recommend me a mouse that does not wear out in a couple of milliseconds after I start to use it? Especially the buttons should be strong and longstanding, because I might sometimes accidentially click them using super-strength.
 
Open it up and try cleaning the switch with alcohol. You will see what I mean when you open it.
 
Your repeated plus signs worked. Using now a brand new Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 Tilt.

In case anyone else considers buying the same thing I raise the old thread and inform that this is not a good gaming mouse. I like the heavy weight in the rear end but the front end (under the buttons) is way too light. The scroll wheel really is silent. First I thought it was broken. Feels a bit like frog's back (don't ask). It's also too uncertain to quickly change weapons using it. The side buttons are located too high. But in office (non-gaming) use this might be a good choice.

So, this is not as good as Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3. After this one wears out, I think I have to test Microsoft Habu mouse.
 
Had the same issue on my Logitech MX700 and I ended up taking it totally apart, cleaning all the contacts with 99% isopropyl alcohol and then putting it back together. The feel was improved to maybe 85% of new. Though a few months later the buttons felt worn again.
 
I've been using my Compaq mouse for 5 years now... and I'm a gamer and my brother is a gamer so this mouse is in some hardcore use for at least 4-5hrs a day. I have 2 different mouses and I can't get used to them. Have the same problem but I'm kinda used to it, u just have to press on the button at a special angle, with time you get used to it :p
 
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