How to Fix Abnormal Mac Mouse Scrolling and Clicking Speeds

Written by

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Ojash

Last updated: September 6, 2023

Expert verified

Abnormal mouse scrolling and clicking speeds are a frustrating and time-consuming problem. This issue can cause the mouse cursor to move too quickly or slowly, making it difficult to accurately select items on the screen or navigate menus and web pages.

In this guide, I will provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds to maximise your productivity and save time.

Reasons for Abnormal Mouse Scrolling and Clicking Speeds on Mac

There are several common causes of abnormal mouse scrolling and clicking speeds on a Mac, including the following:

• 🔄 Outdated Software: If your Mac’s software needs to be updated, it can cause issues with your mouse’s scrolling and clicking speeds. Keep your operating system and mouse driver software up to date.
• ⚙️ Faulty Mouse Settings: Your mouse settings may be configured in a way that causes abnormal scrolling and clicking speeds. It’s essential to check your mouse settings to ensure they’re set up correctly.
• 💻 Hardware Issues: Hardware can sometimes cause problems with your mouse’s scrolling and clicking speeds. For example, a dirty or malfunctioning mouse may cause abnormal scrolling and clicking speeds.
• 🔌 Other Software Conflicts: Some third-party software or plugins can conflict with your mouse’s settings, causing abnormal scrolling and clicking speeds.

How to Fix Abnormal Mac Mouse Scrolling and Clicking Speeds

Unresponsive or overly sensitive mouse behavior can significantly hinder your productivity and user experience. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds and restore smooth and accurate mouse functionality.

1. Adjust the Tracking and Scrolling Speed of Mac Mouse

Adjusting the tracking and scrolling speed on a Mac can improve the overall performance of your mouse and fix any abnormal scrolling or clicking speeds.

Here are the steps to adjust the tracking and scrolling speed of your Mac mouse:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.

2. Click Mouse or Trackpad, depending on which device you are using.

3. Adjust the Tracking Speed slider to change the speed of the cursor on the screen.

4. To adjust the scrolling speed, click Accessibility in System Settings and select Pointer Control.

5. Click the Mouse Options… button under Mouse & Trackpad.

6. Drag the Scroll speed slider to change the speed of scrolling.

You can test the changes by moving your mouse or scrolling up and down on a page. 

2. Resetting the Mouse Settings

Resetting the mouse settings can often fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds by restoring the default configurations and eliminating any misconfigured settings or software conflicts.

Here’s how to reset the mouse settings on your Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.

2. Click Trackpad/Mouse to open the mouse settings.

3. If applicable, click the Set Up Bluetooth Trackpad/Mouse… button.

4. Click the Reset Defaults button.
5. Close the Mouse settings window and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.

3. Try Different USB Port

Sometimes, certain USB ports may not provide a stable connection or sufficient power, leading to inconsistent mouse behavior. Trying different USB ports can fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds.

By plugging your mouse into different USB ports on your Mac, you can rule out any potential issues with a specific port and determine if the problem persists.

Here are the steps to try a different USB port:

1. Disconnect your mouse from the current USB port.
2. Plug the mouse into a different USB port on your Mac.
3. Wait for your Mac to recognize the mouse.
4. Test the mouse to see if the scrolling and clicking speeds have returned to normal.

4. Cleaning the Mouse and Mousepad

Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the mouse’s sensor or the surface of the mousepad, causing erratic behavior. Cleaning the mouse and mousepad can often fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds.

By carefully cleaning the mouse using a soft cloth and removing debris from the mousepad, you can improve the accuracy and responsiveness of your mouse. This simple Mac maintenance step can eliminate obstructions and restore smooth clicking and scrolling functionality.

Here’s how to clean your Mac mouse and mousepad:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Unplug the mouse and remove the batteries (if applicable).
3. Use a dry cloth to clean the surface of the mouse and the mousepad.
4. Reinsert the batteries (if applicable) and plug the mouse back in.
5. Turn on your computer and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Updating the Mouse Driver

Updating the mouse driver can be an effective solution for fixing abnormal clicking or scrolling issues on your Mac mouse. Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to compatibility issues and erratic mouse behavior.

By updating the mouse driver to the latest version available, you ensure your Mac recognizes and communicates with the mouse correctly. This update can resolve any software-related issues and improve the overall performance and responsiveness of your mouse, eliminating abnormal clicking or scrolling problems in the process.

Here’s how to update your mouse driver on Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select App Store.

2. Click Updates in the top-right corner of the window.

3. If an update is available for your mouse driver, click Update.
4. Restart your computer and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.

6. Reset your Mac’s Bluetooth Module

Resetting your Mac’s Bluetooth module can fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds of a wireless mouse. Sometimes, a corrupted or misconfigured Bluetooth connection can cause erratic behavior.

By resetting the Bluetooth module, you effectively clear any temporary files, cache, or conflicting settings affecting the mouse’s performance. This process can establish a fresh connection between your Mac and the mouse, potentially resolving the abnormal clicking or scrolling problems.

Here’s how to reset Bluetooth module on Mac:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo pkill bluetoothd

3. Type your password and press Enter to execute the command.

4. Exit Terminal and restart your Mac.

7. Checking for Software Conflicts

Conflicting software or background processes can interfere with the mouse’s functionality, leading to erratic behavior. By identifying and resolving software conflicts, you can restore smooth clicking and scrolling.

You can do it by closing unnecessary applications, disabling any conflicting mouse-related software, or updating programs causing compatibility issues. Taking these steps can eliminate software conflicts and improve the overall performance of your mouse.

Here’s how to check for software conflicts on Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select Force Quit.

2. Look for any processes that need to respond or use more resources.
3. Force quit any processes that are causing problems.

4. Restart your computer and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.

8. Remove Malware Using MacKeeper

Malicious software can compromise your system’s performance and interfere with various functions, including mouse responsiveness. By using MacKeeper’s comprehensive antivirus capabilities, you can scan and remove malware causing these problems.

By eliminating malware, you not only enhance the security of your Mac but also improve the overall performance of your mouse, ensuring smooth and accurate clicking and scrolling experiences.

Here’s how to fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds on your Mac by running a virus scan:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.

3. Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.

4. If any viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
5. Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.

Once you have configured your security settings, MacKeeper will continue to operate in the background, diligently scanning for threats and actively blocking any malicious activity.

More Tips for Mac Usage

Mac is a sensitive device, and you need to ‌keep it updated in every way. Here’s how you can enhance your Mac system:

• Check your Mac for outdated and unused apps regularly to update apps on macOS.
• Just like your mouse, your trackpad can stop working. Check out my guide on MacBook Trackpad not working to fix it.
• When your Mac’s memory is full, it lags and shows errors, including hardware issues. So, always free up RAM on your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions