The problem of insensitive up and down of the mouse is usually caused by hardware or software problems. The solutions are as follows: 1. Check for physical obstacles or dirt, clean the sensor or roller; 2. Try to replace the surface or mouse pad; 3. Update or reinstall the mouse driver; 4. Test on another computer to determine the source of the problem; 5. Check the mouse acceleration or pointer settings. If the above steps are invalid, you may need to change the mouse.
If your mouse moves left and right but doesn't respond when you try to move it up or down, it's definitely frustrating — especially if you're in the middle of something important. The issue could be hardware-related, software-related, or even something as simple as dirt buildup. Let's break it down into manageable steps so you can get your mouse working smoothly again.

Check for Physical Obstructions or Dirt
This is one of the most common causes, especially for optical or laser mice. Dust, lint, or debris can block the sensor or interfere with the movement tracking, especially in one direction.
- Shine a light into the sensor (the red or black dot on the bottom) and see if there's visible dirt.
- Use a cotton swab lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol to clean the sensor.
- If you have a mechanical mouse with a ball (less common these days), remove the ball and clean the rollers inside — especially the vertical roller.
If the mouse is old or has been used around pets or carpets, this is a good first step. Even a slight observation can cause it to ignore vertical movement.

Try a Different Surface or Mouse Pad
Sometimes the problem isn't with the mouse at all — it's the surface you're using it on. Reflective, glossy, or uneven surfaces can confuse the sensor.
- Try moving the mouse to a plain white sheet of paper or a basic mousepad.
- Avoid using it on glass, marble, or transparent surfaces.
- If you're using a fancy RGB mousepad with a patterned surface, try a different section or a neutral area.
Some surfaces have textures or coatings that interfere more with vertical tracking than horizontal. Switching surfaces is a quick way to test whether the mouse itself is the issue.

Update or Reinstall Mouse Drivers
If the hardware seems fine, it might be a driver or software issue — especially if you're on Windows.
- Press
Win X
and select Device Manager . - Expand Mice and other pointing devices , right-click your mouse, and choose Update driver .
- Alternatively, right-click and select Uninstall device , then restart your computer — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
If you're using a third-party mouse (like Logitech or Razer), check their official website for the latest drivers or software tools. Sometimes an outdated driver causes direct tracking issues.
Test on Another Computer (Quick Diagnostic)
This helps determine whether the issue is with the mouse itself or your current system.
- Plug the mouse into another computer or laptop.
- If it works fine there, the issue is likely with your original computer's USB port, driver, or OS settings.
- If it still doesn't move vertically, the mouse hardware is probably faulty.
If it's a wired mouse and it fails on multiple systems, you might be looking at a broken sensor or internal wiring issue. For wireless mice, also try a different USB receiver if available.
Bonus Tip: Check for Mouse Acceleration or Pointer Settings (Rare but Possible)
While this doesn't usually cause complete failure, incorrect pointer settings can sometimes create odd behavior.
- Go to Control Panel > Mouse > Pointer Options .
- Make sure Enhance pointer precision is checked (or try unchecking it to test).
- Adjust the pointer speed slider slightly and see if that changes anything.
It's not common, but some users report weird directive behavior after changing these settings — especially if third-party software is involved.
Most of the time, the issue is either dirt in the sensor or a driver glitch. If you've tried all the above and still can't get vertical movement back, it might be time to consider replacing the mouse — especially if it's been around the block a few times. But before you do, give it a good clean and test it on another system just to be sure.
The above is the detailed content of how to fix mouse moves horizontally but not vertically. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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