How to Clean a Computer's Optical Mouse

Computer mice come in several different types, and many people use an optical mouse. An optical mouse uses an LED and an optical sensor to move the pointer around the screen. Sometimes, the pointer does not respond to the mouse's movement and the optical mouse simply needs cleaned. Here are some easy steps to clean an optical mouse.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Turn the computer off and unplug the mouse from the computer. This is a safety measure.

2. Turn the optical mouse upside down and inspect the optical lens. If the lens has dirt or smudges on it, this could impair the function of the optical mouse.

3. Carefully dab a cotton swab dipped in alcohol onto the optical lens. This will gently clean the optical lens and remove dirt and oil.

4. You may also want to clean or replace your optical mouse pad. Dirty mouse pads can make it hard for the optical lens to pick up on the movement of the mouse.

5. Once the optical mouse is clean, plug it back into the computer and turn the computer on.