[Solved] Problem switching between buttons

In all cases when you switch form one mode to other mode click the dial release that action and after that you can switch to other mode again.
Click the dial or the DIAL keyboard key is always needed to ensure the mode is released, otherwise you see really strange things start happen to your OS and mouse behaviour, probably in the next release I can add some optional or automatic automatic mode, I take a look on that this week.
With no offense, what is super annoying for you is useful for others, as example in my studio workflow I use always return to  mode selected, but yest not everybody work in the same way.
The X is locked mode,  not should appear, I fix in the next update that and hide that x.

What software are you controlling, how you are using Elephant.
What objects are you controlling inside your software?
Please send more info.

I didn't mean any offense with my comment, I apologize if it came across that way.

I just saw the 1.7 fix so that helps a bit because I was trying to use Combo mode but it didn't work at all for me so I haven't actually tried using combo mode at all, I've installed 1.7 and haven't tried it yet.  But I wanted to use Elephant primarily for MIDI CC control and not scroll or combo at all, so having to return to scroll everytime slows me down.  I also expected that when I disabled "on dial click return to" that if I pressed other hotkeys it would switch mode but that wasn't the case, it just meant I was stuck on one mode and couldn't use hotkeys, or would get stuck after using one.

I am using Reaper with Kontakt instruments, specifically Spitfire Audio so I'm trying to swithc between 4 or 5 CCs fast and WITHOUT leaving the MIDI editor.  Ideally I don't want any popup windows at all so Combo mode is less useful to me than the MIDI mode.

You no offend to me in anyway  dont worry.
I just do that clarification duet some times my English can sound rude, when that never is my intention lol, my native language is Spanish : )
Checking your issue....... now I discover a bug on Knob mode I never see,  another task for the to-do.
What you said have a lot of sense, with MIDI  you not have to hover mouse nothing and is a mode should allow to switch in instant way, is a different workflow.
In your case you use MIDI as primary control from DIAL, and only some times you use the other modes.

Ok, letme check what can do for make user can switch in between modes without dial click as a previous release action.
Under MIDI modes is possible, and is easy to code for me,  need check the other modes, in order new changes not generate more troubles.

"On Dial Cick Always Return To:"  have the purpose make that feature you always use  accessible after use other, and yes, this mode have on mind MCU and Mouse mode, than pure MIDI. 
Ok after take a faster look this can be the new behaviour.

When mode "On Dial Cick Always Return To:" is active, the software continue working how is now, you can switch to any  mode, operate in that mode, when finish click the dial, Elephant back to selected mode at right  of "On Dial Cick Always Return To" .
No change in this mode.

When "On Dial Cick Always Return To" is disabled you can switch between mouse modes and MIDI modes trough hotkeys at any time without click the dial when finish.
MIDI not require unrelease the  performed action, all mouse modes need that.... so as you said, the current Elephant behaviour add unnecessary step to a user need use MIDI mode major part of time. 

I wait for your comments and then prepare the new version.  I think this changes see the light in v1.8 in just 2 or 3 days. 

Awesome, thank you so much for the fast response,

What you are describing is exactly what I initially thought when using the software

Oki doki!  Lets doit !
I back soon with more info.

Elephant v1.8 released and the new behaviour to switch in instant way, is included now.

Awesome, thank you so much!  Working great!

Great! enjoy!