When middle-clicking links, why does my browser sometimes open two tabs?
For around a year I have had an issue with my USB mouse's middle button action whilst browsing the web. If I use the middle button to open any link, about 5% of the time it will open two new tabs instead of just one. In addition, if I use the middle button to close a tab, it can sometimes mistakenly close two tabs which I then have to restore with Ctrl Shift T.
What is causing this? Here's what I've tried so far, but with the same results:
- Swapping the mouse with two other mice
- Using Internet Explorer instead of Chrome
- Running Windows in safe mode
UPDATE:
I have now tried a spare PS/2 mouse I had, and so far I haven't been able to reproduce the behaviour after five hours (I normally see it at least once per 30 minutes). Could this really be a USB issue?
Solution 1:
Have you tried using a different mouse? If there is another mouse readily available, connect it and see if the issue persists.
When I've experienced this issue it has tended to be the mouse. Either a faulty sensor or click mechanism that sends two reports in quick succession. Thankfully mice are cheap and easy to test and replace.
Solution 2:
If I understand your question correctly, you have this issue with both Chrome and Internet Explorer, right?
If I were to try to cast a wide net to hunt for a ghost bug like that, I would also run a scan against spyware or viruses (AdAware, SpyBot, Microsoft Security Essentials ...)
Is your mouse plugged into a USB port, or does it plug in to one of the PS/2 ports of a desktop PC?
In the latter case, I would try to exchange the keyboard and the mouse plug. If the bug vanishes, you probably have a hardware problem with your first PS/2 port.
Solution 3:
It's either your mouse or your driver. Try obtaining a new mouse or reinstalling your mouse driver software.
On the other hand your mouse could be configured to have a particular double click setting - explore your mouse software to try and revert these settings.
Solution 4:
Perhaps you assigned your middle button to a function like "2x click".
There was a similar function on my A4TECH mouse where you could assign 2x click to the middle button.
You can change its assigned function by installing and configuring your mouse software.
Solution 5:
I would recommend trying to reinstall your mouse driver and see if that fixes your problem.
I found this article which should guide you though the process if you are having trouble.