Middle click stops working after unplug/replug, only comes back after days

Understanding and Troubleshooting Middle Click Malfunction After USB Reconnection

Encountering hardware issues can be frustrating, especially when they are intermittent and difficult to diagnose. One such peculiar issue involves the middle click (scroll wheel button) on a mouse that ceases to function after unplugging and replugging the device, only to gradually regain functionality over several days. In this article, we’ll explore the nature of this problem, potential causes, and effective troubleshooting steps to address the issue.

Problem Overview

The primary concern is that the middle click on a mouse stops responding immediately after the device is disconnected and reconnected via USB. Notably:

Other mouse functionalities, such as left-click, right-click, and scrolling, continue to operate normally.
The issue persists across different computers, indicating it is likely related to the device or its drivers rather than the system environment.
Over the course of a few days, the middle click gradually begins working again, eventually returning to normal.

Attempts at Resolution

To diagnose the problem, several standard troubleshooting techniques have been employed:

Testing the mouse on different USB ports to rule out port-specific issues.
Uninstalling and reinstalling device drivers within Windows 10 to refresh the driver stack.
Connecting the mouse to a different computer to determine if the issue is hardware-specific.

Despite these efforts, the problem remains unresolved, leading to a focus on understanding the underlying causes.

Possible Causes and Root Analysis

Given the symptoms and troubleshooting history, potential causes include:

Driver and Firmware Issues:
The mouse driver or firmware may have bugs that affect the middle click functionality after reconnection. Corrupted drivers or outdated firmware can lead to inconsistent behavior.
Power Management Settings:
Windows power management might disable certain mouse functions or ports upon reconnection to conserve energy, causing the middle click to become unresponsive.
Hardware Faults:
The mouse itself may have a failing tactile switch or internal connection issue with the middle click component, which might temporarily recover over time or with specific conditions.
USB Port and Power Delivery:
Variations in power delivery or port configurations may influence the mouse’s internal electronics, leading to temporary malfunctions when reconnecting.
Software Conflicts or Interoperability Issues:
Background applications or system processes could interfere with mouse input, particularly if custom drivers or mouse management software are in use.