Ways to Fix a Mouse Wheel That Keeps Zooming Instead of Scrolling on Windows
If your mouse wheel is causing you trouble on your Windows computer and keeps zooming in and out instead of scrolling, it can be extremely frustrating. This issue may occur due to a software glitch, the wrong driver or hardware issue with the mouse, or a problem with the mouse settings. Whatever the cause may be, there are several ways to fix the mouse wheel that keeps zooming instead of scrolling on Windows.
Here are some troubleshooting methods that can help you fix the mouse wheel issue on your Windows computer:
1. Check Mouse Settings
First, you need to check your mouse settings to ensure that the scroll wheel is properly configured. To do that, go to the Start menu and type “Mouse settings,” and then open the Mouse settings app. Once you’re in the app, check if the “Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them” feature is turned off. If this option is on, it can cause the mouse to zoom instead of scroll.
2. Restart the Mouse
If the mouse settings are correct, but the issue persists, you can try restarting the mouse by disconnecting it from the computer and plugging it back in. This process can reset the connection between the mouse and the computer, and it may fix any software glitches that are causing the mouse wheel to zoom instead of scroll.
3. Update the Mouse Driver
An outdated or damaged mouse driver can also cause problems with the mouse wheel. To fix this, you can update your mouse driver through the Device Manager. To do that, right-click the Start menu button and select “Device Manager.” Once you’re in the device manager, find your mouse under “Mice and other pointing devices,” right-click on it, and select “Update driver software.”
4. Disable Zoom Settings
If none of the above fixes work, you can try disabling the mouse zoom setting. To do that, go back to the Mouse settings app and find the “Zoom” settings. Turn off all zoom options and see if the mouse wheel reverts to scrolling.
5. Use a Third-Party Software
If the mouse wheel still won’t work correctly after trying all the above methods, you can use third-party software to remap the scroll wheel. There are several free programs available online that can help you remap the mouse scroll wheel button to another function such as scrolling up and down. Some popular options include X-Mouse Button Control and AutoHotkey.