How to test your mouse buttons
Move your cursor over the test area and:
- Click left and right a few times each.
- Press the scroll wheel down (middle click).
- Press the side buttons, usually Back (button 4) and Forward (button 5).
- Scroll up and down.
Every part that works turns light blue, the part you’re holding turns solid, and the table counts presses. Inside the test area, the context menu and Back/Forward navigation are blocked, so you can press anything.
Diagnosing problems
| What you see | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Button never lights up | Dead switch, or the button is remapped in your mouse software |
| Count goes up by 2 for one press | Double-click fault. Confirm with the double click test |
| Button stays lit after release | Sticky switch, or debris in the button |
| Scroll registers the wrong direction | Faulty wheel encoder, or dirt in the wheel |
| Scroll counts skip or jump | Worn encoder. Often fixable with cleaning |
Mouse buttons explained
- Left (button 0): primary click.
- Middle (button 1): pressing the scroll wheel. Opens links in new tabs and auto-scrolls on Windows.
- Right (button 2): context menu.
- Back (button 3) / Forward (button 4): the thumb buttons on most modern mice.
Gaming mice with extra buttons often send them as keyboard shortcuts or macros, which this test can’t see. If the side buttons don’t light up, check your mouse software.
For timing problems, like a button that drops while you hold it, use the drag test.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't my side buttons work in the test?
Some mice only send side-button signals after you install their software, or when the buttons are set to Back/Forward. If the software remaps them to keys or macros, the browser won't see them as mouse buttons. Try the keyboard tester to see if they're sending key presses instead.
Will pressing Back leave the page?
No. Inside the test area, Back and Forward clicks are blocked from navigating, so you can test them safely.
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