Mouse Wheel Not Working
The mouse is an external device that is an integral part of the working of each and every computer. If you find your mouse wheel not working as smoothly as it should, then you will be unable to do anything on your machine. There are plenty of keyboard shortcuts that can aid you in overcoming this situation temporarily, but sooner or later, you will have to get the problem fixed. There is only so much you can do without the use of the computer mouse, and these functions are all fairly limited in nature.
The mouse wheel helps you to scroll up and down on a page, and it also helps you to open windows in new tabs. There are easy alternatives for both these tasks but they will trouble you after a while. A malfunctioning mouse is a very annoying object, and it's better to repair it, rather than just ignoring it.
Hardware Issues
If you are facing mouse wheel scrolling problems then it is most likely a hardware problem. This is a physical defect in the mouse that cannot be fixed permanently. A mouse is not an expensive device by any means, and it is far easier to just replace it rather than try to repair the wheel. Even a computer repair shop would be hesitant to undertake such a minor job. It is very rare to see a faulty mouse due to a software problem, and this can only be confirmed if the mouse wheel works properly when connected to another terminal. In all likelihood, the reason for mouse wheel not scrolling is simply that the mouse is defective.
Software Issues
If you are convinced that the reason is software related, then you should attempt to change the mouse settings from the mouse properties window. To access this window you must go to the Control Panel, and then select the mouse icon.
The mouse properties window will then open up, and here, you must select the wheel tab. This will help you set the properties and the attributes of the mouse wheel, and help you fix many mouse wheel problems. Change the settings as you wish and then check, if you are still facing the same problems as before.
You can also try to reinstall the software that came along with the mouse. Some companies that manufacture computer mouse provide a separate installation CD with the mouse, and it is very likely that this software did not get properly installed on your machine. Reinstall that software and then check your mouse wheel. If you are still encountering the problems, then something may be permanently wrong with the mouse physically. You can also try to get a driver update from the Internet, as some mice do not work with new applications that have been installed after the mouse software. This is not an uncommon occurrence and it has been observed many times. Sometimes though, something as simple as restarting your PC can solve the problem by itself.
Whatever the reason is, you should get to the bottom of it soon. A faulty mouse can hamper the functionality of a machine a lot, and this is most certainly not a good thing. Without a properly functioning mouse, the simplest of tasks become difficult on a computer.
