Why won’t my mouse drag properly?

Why won’t my mouse drag properly?

Q I think my PC is getting distracted. If I drag the mouse to select text in Word or from a website, or if I select cells in Excel, the selection process suddenly resets and it starts selecting from a new point. It’s as if something else has taken the PC’s focus and then returned it to the selection process. I suspected malware because it seems software-oriented rather than hardware. A Kaspersky full scan came up clean. I ran Malwarebytes, too, resulting in a clean bill of health. Any ideas?

Steve Murray

A We wonder why you don’t suspect hardware? In fact, we think that’s a strong contender.

This problem could be a dodgy microswitch under the mouse button, for instance. If its electrical contact is wearing out then the selection process might begin correctly but be interrupted mid-drag. Windows would then interpret the mouse button having been released, even though your finger is still pressed down. Then, if the contact loss was only momentary, Windows would duly interpret that as a new press – resulting in exactly the symptoms you describe.

Visit this mouse-test website, at www.snipca.com/39647 (see screenshot above). Hold down the button: if the online graphic blinks when your finger is held down – even for a fraction of a second – then that would suggest a hardware fault. It’s unlikely to be easily repaired but basic, new mice are cheap.

If not – and if the mouse is wireless – then it could be interference. Try the transceiver in a different USB socket, or think what other electrical equipment might be nearby that could be causing this occasional glitch.

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