Phantom Mouse Scrolling - Windows 11

[SCBWV]

My wired Dell mouse recently started phantom scrolling in Windows—scrolling down would jump back up several lines. I tried every fix (drivers, cleaning, settings) with no luck, so I tossed it and bought a Logitech Precision Pro Triathlon.

Same issue.

Switching the Logitech from “smooth scrolling” to the tactile wheel helps a bit, but at this point I’m not sure whether to blame the hardware or Windows. I never had this problem for years, so I’m leaning toward a recent Windows update.

The Logitech itself is nice, but the marketing is misleading—they make it seem like a wireless dongle is included, but you have to buy it separately. Bluetooth has been fine so far, at least.

[rproffitt]

So other mice work?
If so, move on to another mouse.

Also, forget installing mice "drivers" or apps. I've gone commando with mice for decades now.

[SCBWV]

The Logitech works, but like the Dell, it doesn’t function properly with “smooth scrolling” enabled. I didn’t update any mouse‑specific drivers—just made sure Windows itself was fully up to date. It seems that smooth scrolling is the real issue for me now. I prefer it since the wheel has no detents and feels slick, but it just doesn’t seem to behave correctly.

[rproffitt]

I have no way to fix a cranky Dell mouse except to replace that mouse.

Logitech makes a lot of different mice so there's bound to be one that you like.
Here I've taken a liking to the Redragon mice. Wired so I don't have to deal with batteries.

[Reverend Jim]

If you also have a touchpad or thumb-nub (that thing in the middle of Thinkpad keyboards) try disabling them. Your drifting may be coming from there. I used to get drifting from my ASUS touchpad from time to time (among many other ASUS issues).

[IT Cures]

This kind of phantom scrolling in Windows 11 isn't usually a big deal; it's almost always caused by problems with the hardware or input, not Windows itself.

External devices are the first thing I would look at. Unplug everything but your main mouse, like controllers, extra USB receivers, and so on. Sometimes a different device is sending "ghost" inputs without you knowing it.

[IT Cures]

The problem appears to be a hardware/input conflict which does not match the characteristics of a Windows 11 bug. A lot of phantom scrolling cases end up being caused by:

faulty mouse wheel encoders

touchpads/thumb sticks

stuck keyboard keys

or mouse software like Logitech/Razer utilities.

I would try these steps in this sequence

I will disconnect all input devices which include controllers drawing tablets and extra receivers.

I need to disable the laptop touchpad and TrackPoint for now.

I need to disable smooth scrolling feature

I will remove all mouse software and drivers to allow Windows to operate with standard HID drivers.

I will use Safe Mode to check if the problem still exists.

The solution to the problem requires users to perform two actions which involve disconnecting the wireless dongle and selecting a different USB port.
The system will continue to scroll when users have tested multiple mice and Safe Mode without any connected devices because it seems that their touchpad or other input devices are malfunctioning.

[Reverend Jim]

they make it seem like a wireless dongle is included, but you have to buy it separately.

I've never seen a Logitech wireless mouse that did NOT come with the dongle. Check inside the battery compartment. That's where it is usually stored when not plugged into the USB port.

[SCBWV]

You're a godsend Jim. I never thought to look there. I must add, one shouldn't forget the Bluetooth device until they figured out how to connect it through the wireless dongle or make Windows pair with it again. Navigating Windows through the keyboard, while possible, isn't much fun. Lesson learned.

[IT Cures]

Phantom scrolling can be pretty frustrating actually. Before blaming it on a Windows 11 bug, I’d probably start with the boring stuff, disconnect any extra mice , wireless dongles, game controllers, or even touchpads that could be sending weird input. Then maybe update or, reinstall the mouse and touchpad drivers too, not just leave it. If it still keeps happening, booting into Safe Mode might help, because then you can sort out if some background app , utility, or driver clash is quietly causing all that scrolling. A lot of the time it ends up being a bad input hardware piece, or a software conflict, not Windows itself.

[JamesQw3rt]

Since the same behavior happens with two completely different mice, I'd also suspect it's something on the software side rather than the hardware. It might be worth testing in Safe Mode or with a Linux live USB just to rule out Windows entirely. If the issue disappears outside of Windows, that would point pretty strongly to a driver or recent update. At least you've already ruled out the original mouse by trying a completely different one.

[eventide2002]

If two completely different mice are doing the exact same thing, I'd definitely start looking at Windows instead of the hardware. It could be a recent update or even a driver conflict. I'd also try the mouse on another PC just to rule that out.

[Reverend Jim]

You could also try booting into a Linux liveCD to rule out a Windows problem, or, if you have a touchpad, try running with no mouse, assuming the drifting is not coming from your touchpad hardware.