TL;DR
To fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds:
- Clean your mouse, reset Bluetooth, or switch USB ports.
- Adjust tracking and scrolling in settings.
- Reset mouse to default settings.
- Update the mouse driver via App Store.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Erratic mouse scrolling and clicking can be so frustrating—I’ve dealt with it myself. If your cursor feels out of control, don’t worry. Here are some practical steps to get it back on track.
Basic Checks to Fix Abnormal Mac Mouse Scrolling and Clicking
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- Clean the Mouse and Mousepad: Shut down your Mac, unplug the mouse, and clean both with a soft, dry cloth. Reconnect and test for smooth scrolling and clicking.
- Turn Bluetooth Off and On: Toggle Bluetooth off and back on from the Control Center to reset the wireless connection.
- Try a Different USB Port: Plug your wired mouse into another USB port to rule out faulty hardware or power issues.
Advanced Fixes for Mouse Scrolling and Clicking Issues
If the above checks didn’t work, you can try these advanced fixes:
1. Adjust Tracking and Scrolling Speed
Tweaking mouse settings can fix inconsistent scrolling and cursor movement. Here’s how to adjust the tracking and scrolling speed of your Mac mouse:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.
- Click Mouse or Trackpad, depending on which device you are using.
- Adjust the Tracking Speed slider to change the speed of the cursor on the screen.
- To adjust the scrolling speed, click Accessibility in System Settings and select Pointer Control.
- Click the Mouse Options… button under Mouse & Trackpad.
- Drag the Scroll speed slider to change the speed of scrolling and click OK.
You can test the changes by moving your mouse or scrolling up and down on a page.
2. Reset the Mouse Settings
Here’s how to reset the mouse settings to fix abnormal Mac mouse scrolling and clicking speeds:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings.
- Click Trackpad/Mouse to open the mouse settings.
- If applicable, click the Set Up Bluetooth Trackpad/Mouse… button.
- Click the Reset Defaults button.
- Close the Mouse settings window and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.
3. Update the Mouse Driver
Here’s how to update your mouse driver on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select App Store.
- Click Updates in the left sidebar.
- If an update is available for your mouse driver, click Update.
- Restart your computer and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.
4. Check for Software Conflicts
Here’s how to check for software conflicts on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select Force Quit.
- Look for any processes that are unresponsive or using excessive resources.
- Select the problematic app and click Force Quit.
- Click Force Quit on the pop-up again.
- Restart your Mac and test the mouse to see if the issue has been resolved.
5. Reset your Mac’s Bluetooth Module
Resetting Bluetooth clears conflicts and establishes a fresh connection for your mouse. Here’s how to reset Bluetooth module on Mac:
In macOS Monterey and Ventura, the Shift ⇧ + Option ⌥ + click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar no longer displays a Bluetooth reset option. So, to reset Bluetooth, you will need to execute a command in the Terminal.
- Open Terminal on your Mac by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo pkill bluetoothd
- Type your password and press Enter to execute the command.
- Exit Terminal and restart your Mac.
- Once your Mac restarts, reconfigure your Bluetooth settings and then re-pair your mouse. It should work properly now.
🛡️ Tip: Check for Malware
Malware can disrupt your Mac’s performance, including mouse responsiveness. Use a trusted tool like MacKeeper to scan for and remove potential threats. Running regular antivirus scans and enabling real-time protection can help maintain smooth performance and prevent future issues.
Keep Clicking With Your Mac Mouse
A Mac without a working mouse or mousepad is pretty useless. So, make sure you keep it clean, up to date, and malware-free to prevent abnormal clicking and scrolling speeds. Here are some more tips to keep all your Mac parts in good shape:
- If your MacBook Trackpad is not working, clean it, check its settings and reset if necessary, and update your firmware.
- If your Mac keyboard is not working properly, clean the buttons, restart your system, reset its settings, and check for physical damage.
- If your Apple Mouse is not working or scrolling smoothly, it may be due to low or dead battery. So, recharge it and try again.
