Computer Mouse Repair (switch replacement)
Computer mice often suffer from a failure of the left-click switch; the left switch being used perhaps 20 times more often than the right-click. If one were to click say once every 5 seconds for an 8-hour day for 5 days a week that adds up to 1.5 million clicks a year so it is not surprising a left mouse switch may only last 3–5 years.
One solution is to add silicone oil and this may gain one a few years, but a better solution might be to replace the micro switch with one that may last longer than that of the original.
Logitech seem to have moved from Omron to Kailh micro switches these days, so the GM 8.0 offering by Kailh (which has a claimed 80 million click lifetime) seemed like a good way to go.
Normally I would replace all the switches but given that the left switch is used maybe 20 times
more often than the right switch suggests that it is better Engineering to just replace the left switch.
This article was written by Anwar (Andy) Shiekh originally from London, England; he repairs things to help make an income go further and presently teaches Physics in Colorado, U.S.A.
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Note: You can check his previous repair article on Smoke Alarm Repair
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Yogesh Panchal
October 28, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Anwar Shiekh
Good Fix!
Albert van Bemmelen
October 28, 2021 at 9:07 pm
Keeping our trusted mouse working is a good way to preserve something that we are familiar with after using it daily. And fixing and upgrading old devices is very retro these days! Which I also try to do with all my old computers like the Commodore C64/128, Amiga, CD32, Zx Spectrum, QL Quantum Leap and so on.
Lynn Blakely
October 28, 2021 at 11:01 pm
Sir Anwar (Andy) Shiekh: That was an interesting repair, I was wondering about the rating difference between the original switch the replacement. Was the original enclosed as the new one is. i.e. keeping the dirt out would also contribute to the longevity of the switch. Upgrading the switch will definitely contribute to long life, Good repair Thanks.
Anwar Y Shiekh
October 29, 2021 at 1:16 am
Good point; there are dust proof switches, but I didn't go that route.
Things get dirty inside the mouse, but I suspect the problem is not dirt.
Parasuraman S
October 29, 2021 at 5:06 pm
So, shall I say you fixed the mouse to let the cat continue its chase! (LOL) Well done!
Anwar Yunas Shiekh
July 26, 2023 at 1:35 am
Nice one, you always have the best jokes
Giovanni B.
October 30, 2021 at 6:42 pm
I myself have made this replacement, some months ago, but with poor results (just a couple months of good functioning) because of the bad quality of Aliexpress spares. I think that THIS is the actual trouble for all the amateur electronics repairers: Chinese spares are cheap and affordable, but last a short time, EU or US made spares are good but due to the huge shipping costs and fees, the repair game is not worth the candle.
Anwar Y Shiekh
November 1, 2021 at 12:30 am
Quite a few mouse manufacturers (including Logitech) now use Kailh switches and it is a Chinese brand.
If something fails I try to find a superior replacement so I don't have to repeat the repair.
Humberto
November 2, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Good idea replacing the left-click switch.
RJ
November 5, 2021 at 9:32 am
I had to clean my M325 as out of the blue pages started scrolling up & down by themselves on all three of my browsers & couldn't stop it - thought it was a dirty keyboard at first but nope it was the mouse - cleaned it up & good to go :>