Dwell clicks too soon: give yourself more time before it clicks

Why it happens

Dwell clicks for you when the pointer rests in one place for a set time. If that time is short, a pause to read or think is enough to trigger a click. A longer dwell time gives you room to stop without anything happening.

How to fix it

1. Choose Apple menu, then System Settings, and click Accessibility in the sidebar. Open Keyboard.

2. Find Accessibility Keyboard and click the info button (the small i) next to it.

   Accessibility›Keyboard›Accessibility Keyboard

3. In the Dwell options, drag Default dwell time towards a longer time. Try one step at a time until pauses no longer turn into clicks.

   Accessibility›Keyboard›Accessibility Keyboard

4. Look at Dwell movement tolerance in the same place too. Dwell movement tolerance sets how far the pointer can drift and still count as resting. Move it lower if clicks happen while your hand is still moving slightly: then a small movement restarts the countdown.

5. Click Done, then rest the pointer somewhere safe, like empty desktop, to check the new timing feels right.

Still not fixed?

1. If you turned on Show dwell actions in menu bar, use it to pick the action you want before you dwell, so a pause doesn't do the wrong kind of click.

2. If you no longer need dwell, turn Accessibility Keyboard off in the same Keyboard settings. Dwell stops with it.

   Accessibility›Keyboard›Accessibility Keyboard

3. If the pointer moves by itself or clicks happen with dwell off, try another mouse or trackpad. If that fixes it, the original one may be faulty and a repair shop can check it. Otherwise contact Apple Support.