My mouse wheel just broke. I was using it to scroll down and it stopped working. I think the wheel fell out of its socket or something. Is there a way to take it apart and fix it?

If the mouse feels like it's sticking when you move it, you may need to clean out the rollers. When you remove the ball, you'll see 3 rollers (usually) in the mouse. Two are long bars, and one is a wide wheel. They may have black or dark gray "fuzz" in the middle. You can clean that off with a fingernail, or tip of a pen. Most mice can be opened by twisting the circular door on the bottom of the mouse. That's just to access the ball.

Sorry, my mistake. It's actually the SCROLL WHEEL that's broken not the mouse wheel. I put mouse wheel instead of scroll wheel.

I have yet to see a mouse with a wheel that you can take out and clean.

Doesn't really make sense if you think about it... frequent rubbing with fingers will certainly get a lot of dirt in it... why would the manufacturers not make a removable wheel so you can clean it?

never felt the need for this, my mice usually break well before the scroll wheel does :)

I have yet to see a mouse with a wheel that you can take out and clean.

Doesn't really make sense if you think about it... frequent rubbing with fingers will certainly get a lot of dirt in it... why would the manufacturers not make a removable wheel so you can clean it?

Well the tackball is a rather simple concept. The scroll wheel is probably far more integrated then the trackball is

Well the tackball is a rather simple concept. The scroll wheel is probably far more integrated then the trackball is

:cringe: I never mastered the trackball, they always managed to drive me crazy

Well the tackball is a rather simple concept. The scroll wheel is probably far more integrated then the trackball is

I disagree... I already have in mind how a removable wheel should work. It's really simple. And when they could make a high resolution optical sensor plus wireless communication in a small package, I don't see how they are unable to make a removable mouse wheel...

I use a needle or sharp toothpick to clean the wheel. Scrape off the dirt, turn it a bit, repeat. If dirt is stuck inside, then I'll pretend it's not there...

:cringe: I never mastered the trackball, they always managed to drive me crazy

I have a Microsoft optical trackball. It's accurate, easy to use, but the only problem is when it's hot, your thumb gets sweaty and sticky. Then the ball will get sucked out of the socket. :ack:

I disagree... I already have in mind how a removable wheel should work. It's really simple. And when they could make a high resolution optical sensor plus wireless communication in a small package, I don't see how they are unable to make a removable mouse wheel...

I use a needle or sharp toothpick to clean the wheel. Scrape off the dirt, turn it a bit, repeat. If dirt is stuck inside, then I'll pretend it's not there...

The problem with making it work like the removable of old mouses and trackballs is that it isn't really supposed to be smooth scrolling like they are. It's better to think of it as several buttons. Scrolling up presses one button once or several times, same for scrolling down. Some mice also allow you to tilt it side to side, adding two more buttons. The obvious evidence that it is treated this way is that most (at least every one I have ever used) clicks into place after each turn. This allows you to scroll down a list a single item at a time, for instance. A smooth scrolling device doesn't have this clearness of quantized motion. Granted, a removable ball could be engineered to "click" but that would be more expensive than the straight rolling ball. Add in the risk of losing the small piece and it doesn't really seem worthwhile especially considering the alternative solution to the problem (which I've never even experienced, a typical mouse should wear through the standard motion sensor before any of its buttons go) which is to just engineer a more robust scroll wheel. I don't see any good reasons to move away from the mainstream design of scroll wheels.

I disagree... I already have in mind how a removable wheel should work. It's really simple. And when they could make a high resolution optical sensor plus wireless communication in a small package, I don't see how they are unable to make a removable mouse wheel...



A mouse wheel is a completely different concept from wireless communication (I own a couple wireless mice. Very nice) PLus a trackball just sat freely inside the mouse held inside only by that circle thing. A free sitting mouse wheel could cause problems.

The problem with making it work like the removable of old mouses and trackballs is that it isn't really supposed to be smooth scrolling like they are. It's better to think of it as several buttons. Scrolling up presses one button once or several times, same for scrolling down. Some mice also allow you to tilt it side to side, adding two more buttons. The obvious evidence that it is treated this way is that most (at least every one I have ever used) clicks into place after each turn. This allows you to scroll down a list a single item at a time, for instance. A smooth scrolling device doesn't have this clearness of quantized motion. Granted, a removable ball could be engineered to "click" but that would be more expensive than the straight rolling ball. Add in the risk of losing the small piece and it doesn't really seem worthwhile especially considering the alternative solution to the problem (which I've never even experienced, a typical mouse should wear through the standard motion sensor before any of its buttons go) which is to just engineer a more robust scroll wheel. I don't see any good reasons to move away from the mainstream design of scroll wheels.

Actually my microsoft wireless optical mouse 2.0 has a smooth wheel. It doesn't have the click all my other mice do.

Ack, that sounds like a horrid device. I don't think I could live with a scroll wheel that doesn't click. Clickiness definitely adds to the functionality.

A mouse wheel is a completely different concept from wireless communication (I own a couple wireless mice. Very nice) PLus a trackball just sat freely inside the mouse held inside only by that circle thing. A free sitting mouse wheel could cause problems.

Don't compare it to trackball... try comparing it to a mouse ball.

Mouse ball is set freely inside the mouse, but held in place by a lid. They can do the same with the wheel.

Ack, that sounds like a horrid device. I don't think I could live with a scroll wheel that doesn't click. Clickiness definitely adds to the functionality.

It takes awhile to get used to but you don't notice it after a while

Don't compare it to trackball... try comparing it to a mouse ball.

Mouse ball is set freely inside the mouse, but held in place by a lid. They can do the same with the wheel.

trackball = mouse ball, blah. Mixed up my words:( The lid would have have to either be a free floating part with no attachment to the mouse or widens the wheel area a bit which would place it right in the area where a person clicks.

So does anyone know of a solution? The scroll wheel can click it can't rotate normally. I can't hear the clicking sound when it rotates which means rotating it doesn't work.

The only thing I could think would be to try to clean around the sides with a needle.

with a needle? can it work?

So does anyone know of a solution? The scroll wheel can click it can't rotate normally. I can't hear the clicking sound when it rotates which means rotating it doesn't work.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand you. Does the mouse wheel seem to rotate normally but you hear no clicks or is the mouse wheel stuck?

Anyway, many mice can be disassembled to get at the wheel. On the Logitech mouse I just checked, there is a Philip's screw underneath holding the two halves together. After removing that screw, it is easy to wiggle the top off to get at the wheel.

One spring holds the scroll wheel down, and a second pushes the switch against what look like spokes. If that second spring popped off, the wheel would not register any clicks.

Be careful to not misalign the metal spring if you open it. One time, my left-click button broke, so I opened my mouse and fixed it but in the process broke my scroll wheel!