Wireless mouse causing erratic behavior

Question

Since the Windows 10 to Windows 11 update, using a wireless mouse causes the web pages to go back. This problem is consistent and also hampers the ability to use other windows applications like windows explorer or outlook.

Have tried to re install the windows os but to no avail. Nor re installation nor using other mouses helps to solve the problem.
The only relief i can get is to use NetFX repair tool but that too only work sometimes or even if it does only works for a few minutes at most.

Answer 1

Hi Karen,

My name is Jason and I am an independent advisor and windows user like yourself.

The erratic behavior of web pages going "back" when using a wireless mouse after a Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade points strongly to an issue with misinterpreted driver input or a conflict caused by an old peripheral driver that didn't clean up properly during the upgrade.

The fact that using the NetFX (presumably .NET Framework) repair tool provides temporary relief is a very unusual but crucial clue, suggesting the problem might be linked to a core component that interprets input events, which the mouse driver relies on. Here is a focused plan to address this issue, moving beyond simple reinstallation and focusing on driver conflicts and input interpretation: Check for Misinterpreted Mouse Buttons (Most Likely Cause) Many wireless mice have side buttons (often used for forward/back in browsers). Windows 11 may be incorrectly registering a slight scroll or tap as a side-button click.

Remove the Mouse Driver: Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section. Right-click your mouse entry (it might say "HID-compliant mouse") and select Uninstall device. Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall a generic driver, which can clear up corrupted settings.

Test in Safe Mode: Booting into Safe Mode loads only essential drivers. If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, the issue is definitely a non-essential driver conflict. Use Manufacturer Software (If Available): If your mouse (Logitech, Razer, etc.) has its own software, install it. This software often allows you to disable or remap the side buttons, which will stop the unintended "back" action completely. Deep Clean of Peripheral Drivers (The Upgrade Conflict) A dirty upgrade can leave behind residual driver components that conflict with Windows 11. Run the System File Checker (SFC): This ensures no core Windows system files are corrupted (which might be why the .NET repair tool helps temporarily). Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let it complete.

Check for Residual Drivers (DriverStore Explorer): This requires a third-party tool but is excellent for cleaning up old, conflicting drivers left over from the upgrade. This is often necessary when a clean OS reinstallation doesn't fix a hardware issue.

Adjust Touchpad/Scrolling Sensitivity

Even if you are using the mouse, some input interpretation conflicts can be related to touchpad drivers running in the background. Go to Settings \rightarrow Bluetooth & devices \rightarrow Mouse. Scroll down to the Related settings and click Additional mouse settings. Navigate through the tabs (often labeled "Hardware" or "Device Settings") and look for a setting related to scrolling sensitivity or accidental input prevention. Try slightly reducing the scrolling speed.

Why the NetFX Repair Tool Provides Relief The temporary fix you get from the .NET Framework repair tool is a significant clue. It suggests that the application responsible for handling the mouse input (perhaps a browser component or a specific Windows service) is dependent on the .NET Framework for part of its functionality. When the repair tool runs, it essentially refreshes those dependencies, providing a brief window of stability before the underlying driver conflict resurfaces. This reinforces the need for a driver deep-clean (Step 2).

Answer 2

Hi Karan,

Apologies, CYBEXX is my private account on here I forgot to switch over from.

Thanks for the update and for trying those troubleshooting steps. It's really helpful to know that Safe Mode didn't entirely resolve the issue, even if the frequency was reduced. That suggests the problem isn't caused by a typical third-party startup service or non-essential driver, but rather something more core to the Windows environment or the mouse/driver itself.

Since the issue persists in Safe Mode after the Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade, let's focus on a few other high-impact possibilities:

1. Check for a Core Windows Update Fix

A problem like this, appearing right after a major OS upgrade, is often addressed in a subsequent Windows update.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates and install all available updates (both mandatory and optional/driver updates). Sometimes, a specific cumulative or optional update fixes odd post-upgrade behavior.

1. Deeper Driver Investigation

Even though Safe Mode didn't fix it, the issue might still be driver-related, specifically with how Windows 11 is handling the generic or vendor-specific mouse driver.

• Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start Menu).
• Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
• Right-click on your wireless mouse entry (it might be listed as "HID-compliant mouse" or have a vendor name).
• Select Uninstall device. Crucially, when prompted, DO NOT check the box to "Delete the driver software for this device."
• Click Uninstall.
• Restart your PC. Windows 11 will automatically reinstall the driver upon reboot. This process often clears up corrupted driver files that persist through an OS upgrade.

1. Review Mouse and Touchpad Settings

Sometimes, an OS upgrade can change or merge settings, leading to unintentional "back" behavior, often from an over-sensitive scroll-wheel setting or a feature meant for touchpads.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.

Look for settings related to scrolling or additional mouse buttons. Check if any setting might be interpreted as a 'Back' command.

If you have a Touchpad setting available (even if you're not using it), sometimes an aggressive gesture setting there can interfere. Try disabling any advanced touchpad gestures temporarily, just to rule out interference.

Please try these steps and let me know if there's any improvement. The fact that the issue is still present (though less frequent) in Safe Mode is the biggest clue, pointing us towards core system files or the base driver implementation.

What model is your wireless mouse? Knowing the manufacturer and model might help me check for any specific, known issues with Windows 11.

Best regards,

JasonHi Karan,

Thanks for the update and for trying those troubleshooting steps. It's really helpful to know that Safe Mode didn't entirely resolve the issue, even if the frequency was reduced. That suggests the problem isn't caused by a typical third-party startup service or non-essential driver, but rather something more core to the Windows environment or the mouse/driver itself.

Since the issue persists in Safe Mode after the Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade, let's focus on a few other high-impact possibilities:

1. Check for a Core Windows Update Fix

A problem like this, appearing right after a major OS upgrade, is often addressed in a subsequent Windows update.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates and install all available updates (both mandatory and optional/driver updates). Sometimes, a specific cumulative or optional update fixes odd post-upgrade behavior.

1. Deeper Driver Investigation

Even though Safe Mode didn't fix it, the issue might still be driver-related, specifically with how Windows 11 is handling the generic or vendor-specific mouse driver.

• Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start Menu).
• Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
• Right-click on your wireless mouse entry (it might be listed as "HID-compliant mouse" or have a vendor name).
• Select Uninstall device. Crucially, when prompted, DO NOT check the box to "Delete the driver software for this device."
• Click Uninstall.
• Restart your PC. Windows 11 will automatically reinstall the driver upon reboot. This process often clears up corrupted driver files that persist through an OS upgrade.

1. Review Mouse and Touchpad Settings

Sometimes, an OS upgrade can change or merge settings, leading to unintentional "back" behavior, often from an over-sensitive scroll-wheel setting or a feature meant for touchpads.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.

Look for settings related to scrolling or additional mouse buttons. Check if any setting might be interpreted as a 'Back' command.

If you have a Touchpad setting available (even if you're not using it), sometimes an aggressive gesture setting there can interfere. Try disabling any advanced touchpad gestures temporarily, just to rule out interference.

Please try these steps and let me know if there's any improvement. The fact that the issue is still present (though less frequent) in Safe Mode is the biggest clue, pointing us towards core system files or the base driver implementation.

What model is your wireless mouse? Knowing the manufacturer and model might help me check for any specific, known issues with Windows 11.

Best regards,

Jason

Answer 3

Hi Karan,

Thank you very much for providing the specific mouse models: Dell KM200 (combo) and the Logitech MX Master 2S / M650. This is a huge help, as it points to a pattern that is highly likely to be the root cause.

The fact that the issue occurs (though less frequently) with the generic Dell mouse, but also with two separate, high-end Logitech mice, and still happens in Safe Mode, confirms this is not a simple mouse hardware or software conflict, but a deeper issue with how the core Windows 11 input system is interpreting commands from the USB receiver/Bluetooth.

The original clue—the temporary relief from the .NET Framework repair tool—is now more important than ever, suggesting corruption in a low-level component that handles system-wide input events.

Given everything you've tried, here is the most advanced and logical next step:

1. The Core System/Input Integrity Fix

Since the issue persists even after reinstallation (which is unusual) and with multiple mice, we need to focus on low-level system integrity and input interpretation services.

Check and Repair DISM:

The System File Checker (sfc /scannow) primarily checks core Windows protected files. The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool goes deeper, checking the Windows Component Store against Microsoft's update servers, which often fixes issues that sfc misses and could be related to the upgrade corruption.

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Right-click Start > Terminal/Command Prompt (Admin)).
• Type the following command and press Enter. This will check if the component store is repairable: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• Type the following command and press Enter. This will scan for corruption (it can take 10-20 minutes): DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• If the previous step finds errors, run the final command to repair the image (it can take 30+ minutes and requires an internet connection): DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• After the DISM process is complete, run the System File Checker one last time for good measure: sfc /scannow
• Restart your PC and test the mouse again.

2. Isolate Power/USB Management

The "erratic" nature, even in Safe Mode, can sometimes be linked to Windows 11's aggressive power management on USB ports.

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• For every entry labeled USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub, right-click it and choose Properties.
• Go to the Power Management tab.
• Uncheck the box that says: "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
• Repeat for all USB Hubs/Root Hubs, then restart your PC. This ensures the USB receiver is getting consistent power, preventing potential drop-outs that could be misinterpreted as a new input event.

3. Logitech-Specific Fix (MX Master 2S / M650)

Since you are using Logitech mice, their software is key, but it can also be the problem.

• If you haven't already, install the latest version of the official software:
  • For the MX Master 2S, this is usually Logi Options+.
  • For the M650, this is usually Logi Options+ or Logi Bolt App.
• Within the software, navigate to the Customizations for the mouse.
• Specifically, check the actions assigned to the Thumb Wheel (MX Master 2S) and any Side Buttons. Even a minor, unintentional gesture or click on these could be mapped to "Back."
• Try remapping the side buttons (the forward/back buttons) to a completely different function (like a simple volume up/down) just to confirm that the hardware button press itself is the source of the unwanted "back" command. If remapping stops the problem, the mouse is sending the signal, but Windows is aggressively triggering the action.

Please try the DISM and USB power management steps first, as they target the core Windows corruption that your Safe Mode and NetFX clues strongly indicate.

Let me know the resultq of the DISM steps.

Best regards,

Jason