A computer mouse is one of the most useful input devices of a computer system.
It enables the interaction between the user and the computer.
Most brands offer a lifespan of two to three years.
However, several factors can determine the lifespan of a computer mouse.
How Long Does A Computer Mouse Last?
Generally, a computer mouse lasts for four to five years.
Mostly, a bad cord also affects the lifespan of a computer mouse.
A computer mouse’s longevity depends completely on the material, build, and power quality.
They can last for a few years if rigorously used.
The lifespan of a computer mouse directly depends on the limits to which you are pushing it.
A mouse’s lifespan can increase if you use them carefully and avoid external damage.
How Durable Is A Wired Computer Mouse?
Logitech B100 Corded Mouse, Wired USB Mouse for Computers and Laptops, Right or Left Hand Use - Black
A wired computer mouse is one of the most common mice used across the globe.
It is because a wired mouse is durable and fast.
They are highly responsive to navigation and movement through the system.
They are made of high-quality raw materials, making them durable against external random hits.
They are highly durable when you want to complete a limited task that doesn’t require repetitive clicking.
A wired computer mouse remains sturdy for a good period.
However, its sensor might become weak over time if you use it roughly.
If a sensor gets damaged, it leads to inaccuracy when performing various activities like doing a Paint task, browsing, gaming, etc.
The output of a wired mouse is pretty fast, but its buttons get damaged with time.
The build quality and cord of a wired mouse are highly durable.
However, if a mouse starts acting inaccurately, there is no way to fix it.
You have to replace the mouse if one of its components stops working.
The common reasons behind the failure of a mouse are external hits, rough usage, or outdated drivers.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Gaming Mouse?
Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse: 6400 DPI Optical Sensor - 5 Programmable Buttons - Mechanical Switches - Rubber Side Grips - Classic Black
Gaming mice are among the most expensive and durable mice available on the market.
They are versatile, and no other mouse can match their versatility.
These mice provide you with precise and accurate action controls during gaming hours.
Their functionality and design are so special and provide extraordinary performance.
These mice tend to have a lifespan of more than four years, depending on the raw material quality.
If you spend most of your time using your mouse intensively or doing heavy gaming, the lifespan of your gaming mouse can decrease by up to two to three years.
These gaming mice are durable, but their lifespan depends on their usage.
Mostly, frustration gets in the way, and you start hitting your mouse buttons with extra force, which also reduces the lifespan of your gaming mouse.
Manufacturers use hard plastic to build gaming mice, making them sturdy enough against external abuses.
This is one of the primary reasons a gaming mouse is durable externally and can hold up to several beatings in a single gaming session.
How Long Does A Wireless Mouse Last?
Logitech M510 Wireless Computer Mouse for PC with USB Unifying Receiver - Graphite
A wireless mouse can last between one and two years if handled with care.
It cannot bear any rough external hits and is also not suitable for rough usage like gaming, designing, etc.
It is excellent for office work by connecting it to a laptop.
Wireless mice are mostly sleek and small, and they are also valuable for their pricing.
There are unlimited styles and options when it comes to a wireless mouse.
You should go for a mouse with durable mechanics as they are highly durable and have a greater lifespan than a normal wireless mouse.
These wireless mice can easily last up to three years.
In some scenarios, you can have amazing results by selecting a good wireless mouse, which can perform better than a wired mouse.
However, if you select a budget wireless mouse, it won’t last long.
Its lifespan will be nearly about one-year maximum.
The reason is that manufacturers don’t place high-quality components and raw materials to make them durable and long-lasting.
A budget wireless mouse sensors get weak with time.
If you mistakenly use them intensively, they get damaged easily.
Also, you will experience connectivity issues in low-budget wireless mice after a few months.
How To Increase The Life Of A Computer Mouse
It is a good practice to keep your mouse safe from unnecessary damage.
Taking good care increases the life of a computer mouse.
There are many tips and tricks that you can utilize to extend the lifespan of your computer mouse for a couple of years.
Before following these tips, ensure your mouse is in working condition.
Take a look at a few tips to increase the life of your computer mouse.
1. Clean Your Mouse
Clean your mouse with a dry cloth every ten days to enhance its lifespan.
Getting into a regular practice of cleaning your mouse will help prevent issues like inaccuracy, stuttering, laggy cursor, and random cursor movements.
Doing this is highly beneficial as it removes the frequent cursor freezing.
Most brands recommend using a microfiber cloth to clean your mouse.
2. Use A Quality Mouse Pad
Gimars Large Mousepad (RGB-Extra Large)
Mostly, the main reason behind the mouse sensor getting damaged is the use of a rough or low-quality mouse pad.
Also, using your mouse on gloss or wooden surfaces will damage the sensor, and your mouse will behave inaccurately.
For this reason, it is very important to have a good quality mouse pad if you want to increase the lifespan of your computer mouse.
A good mouse pad also enhances performance and increases the longevity of a mouse.
There are multiple types of mouse pads available on the market.
Make sure to purchase the excellent ones with positive reviews.
3. Avoid Intensive Use
You should avoid intensive use of a computer mouse.
Doing this increases the life of a computer mouse.
A normal computer mouse can’t bear rough hits.
These mice wear out much more quickly if you use them intensively all day long.
You should keep your usage to the limit to extend the lifespan of your computer mouse.
Also, you should avoid expecting too much from a normal computer mouse.
A computer mouse has a lifespan of about four to five years.
However, the above-discussed are some tricks you can use to extend the lifespan of a computer mouse.
Also, you can go for a quality mouse from a reputable brand.
A branded mouse survives heavy, intensive workloads and lasts longer than a normal mouse.
How To Identify That Your Computer Mouse Has Reached The End Of Its Lifespan
There are many indications to detect the strange behavior of a computer mouse.
If you start facing glitches, uneven clicks, or improper responses, it clearly indicates that your mouse is at the end of its lifespan.
However, it is pretty tough to identify the exact lifespan of a computer mouse.
Let’s have a look at some of the tips to identify that your computer mouse has completed its lifespan.
1. Usual Cursor Freezing
If you notice frequent cursor freezing, it is a clear sign that your computer mouse is near its end.
The usual cursor freezing is also the result of too many memory-intensive applications running at the same time.
Simply close all the unnecessary applications from the background to eliminate this issue.
You can also restart your computer if closing applications doesn’t fix the problem.
The other alternative to fixing this problem is double-checking all cables and ports.
If you have a wireless mouse, it is probably because of the dead battery.
Installing a new battery fixes this issue.
However, if you continue to experience this issue, you should replace your mouse.
2. Lagging Cursor
The rough movement of a mouse cursor clearly indicates that it has completed its lifespan.
The cursor lags when you move it, and it is very easy to identify it if you regularly work with the mouse.
The laggy cursor will affect your productivity and not let you work properly.
It is better to replace your computer mouse if you start experiencing a laggy cursor issue.
Sometimes, dust underneath your mouse also makes a cursor laggy.
For this reason, you should clean the bottom part of your mouse before replacing your computer mouse.
Using a computer mouse on a rough surface also results in the laggy movement of a cursor.
You should use a good mouse pad to eliminate the laggy cursor issues.
3. Mouse Stops Working Unexpectedly
When your mouse has stopped working unexpectedly, it is a sign that it has completed its lifespan.
In most cases, a computer mouse often starts malfunctioning, turning on and off.
If the mouse’s tracking laser fails, it is a sign that you should replace your mouse.
An unexpected mouse stopping is frustrating for official persons and gamers.
You can only try to fix this issue by turning the mouse on and off.
4. Buttons Not Functioning
A traditional mouse contains two buttons and one center wheel.
However, a gaming mouse comprises some extra programmable buttons.
If you identify that one of the buttons has stopped functioning, it is a clear indication that your mouse has completed its lifespan.
Unfortunately, there are no fixes available to solve this issue.
If you keep on facing this issue, you will have to replace your computer mouse with a new one.
It is hectic when suddenly a button stops functioning as it doesn’t let you perform tasks properly.
5. Pointer Moves Randomly
You should go for a new mouse if your mouse pointer starts moving randomly.
No fixes are available to overcome the issue when a mouse starts behaving randomly.
The random movement of a mouse pointer is extremely annoying if you spend more time gaming or designing.
We have discussed some tips to identify the lifespan of your computer mouse and fixes to overcome the respective issues.
These are some of the primary signs related to the lifespan or affecting the lifespan of your computer mouse.
What To Do When A Computer Mouse Stops Working
The initial and most obvious signs that you will see when your computer mouse stops working are sudden freezing, lagging, and other malfunctions.
These signs don’t necessarily mean you have to purchase a new mouse.
Instead, you should troubleshoot the problem first and then make your decision.
Take a look at the steps to troubleshoot a wired and wireless computer mouse.
A. Troubleshooting A Wired Mouse
You can follow the steps below to troubleshoot a wired mouse.
1. Shut down your system.
2. Remove the mouse cable and Clean the ports.
3. Plug it back in again.
4. Turn on your computer.
If that doesn’t fix the issue, you can follow further steps to fix it.
1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Expand Mice and Other Pointing Devices and double-click on it.
3. Go to the Drivers tab and click on Update Drivers.
4. Select Search Automatically For Drivers.
5. Install new drivers.
Both these methods are beneficial for troubleshooting a wired computer mouse.
B. Troubleshooting A Wireless Mouse
You must focus on several factors when troubleshooting a wireless mouse.
Take a look at them.
A. Plug Out & Plug In The Wireless Receiver
Often, the wireless receiver malfunctions.
To troubleshoot it, you simply have to disconnect and reconnect it.
Sometimes, it solves the connectivity issues between the mouse and your computer.
B. Examine Battery
You should check your mouse battery to see if it has become old or is about to die.
Dead batteries are also one of the most common reasons why a mouse starts freezing.
Conclusion
The longevity of a computer mouse depends on its usage, brand, and type.
The average lifespan of any type of mouse is around four to five years.
However, a gaming mouse tends to last longer as these mice come from a reputable company with a warranty.
If you use a regular mouse with care and don’t perform intensive loads, it can easily last longer.
The lifespan of a computer mouse completely depends on the raw materials and quality of the components.
However, if you go for a cheap budget mouse, it will not last for more than one year.
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