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Mouse Right Click Not Working in Windows 10 [Fixed]
This issue can severely hinder how much you use your mouse
11 min. read
Updated onMay 15, 2024
updated onMay 15, 2024
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Key notes
Is your right-click not working? Without it, none of the context menus can open in Windows. Or, if you are experiencing the issue, it might be limited to the Start menu, desktop or File Explorer.
It could also be a mouse hardware issue, but it will probably be due to corrupted system files, third-party programs or incompatible drivers.
Below are some ways to fix non-working right-click context menus in Windows 10.
What can I do if my right-click isn’t working in Windows 10?
There are various manifestations of this issue. Here are the most common ones:
To fix the issues listed above, as well as other right-click mouse problems, follow the instructions below.
1. Update the mouse driver
It might also be worth checking for mouse driver updates. If the mouse doesn’t have the most up-to-date driver, updating it could do the trick.
2. Update drivers automatically using a dedicated tool
An outdated driver can cause many issues, including driver problems. With aspecialized driver updater,you can easily scan for and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.
These tools also work great as maintenance software as you can set up automated scans so you never have to worry about driver issues again.
3. Check the mouse
The first thing to check is that your mouse is not in any way broken. The best way to do so is to plug the mouse into another laptop or desktop to see if its right-click works.
If you have a wireless mouse, replace its batteries with fresh ones.
3. Switch off the Tablet Mode
The right-click button doesn’t always work in Tablet Mode, so switching it off if it happens to be enabled might do the trick.
The quick way to toggle Tablet Mode on/off is to press the Win key + A, which will open the Action Center sidebar shown below. That includes aTablet modebutton that you can press to toggle Tablet Mode on/off.
Press that button to switch Tablet Mode off.
4. Delete third-party shell extensions
⇒Get CCleaner
Third-party programs add their own options to the context menu called shell extensions. As such, it could be that a third-party shell extension is preventing the context menu from opening, and deleting them might fix the right-click context menu.
5. Restart Windows (File) Explorer
6. Check Group Policy’sRemove Windows Explorer’s defaultcontext menu
The Group Policy Editor has aRemove Windows Explorer’s default context menuoption that disables the context menu if selected.
So, if you’re using either Windows 10 Enterprise or Pro, which include theLocal Group Policy Editor, check that this option is not selected.
Most Windows 10 users have no idea how to edit the Group Policy. Learn how you can do it by reading thissimple article.
7. Run the System File Checker
System File Checker, otherwise known as SFC scannow, is a handy tool that fixescorrupt system files, some of which may be at the root of a non-working right-click.
If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look atthis guide.
8. Revert Windows to the previous Restore Point
TheSystem Restoretool will revert Windows to a previous date. Reverting Windows to a restore point one month back could fix this if all the right-click context menus were working fine a few days ago.
If you’re interested in more info on how to create a restore point and how would that help you, take a look at thissimple articleto find out everything you need to know.
9. Adjust touchpad delay time or disable the touchpad
Now, if you don’t want to resort to radical and complex solutions such as using a restore point, continue the troubleshooting process with the workarounds listed below.
In some situations, using both mouse and touchpad might create conflicts between these two hardware components. These issues could also randomly disable the right-click function on your mouse.
For more info on how to disable the touchpad when an external mouse is connected, check out thissimple guide.
If the issue persists after having changed the touchpad delay time, try disabling the touchpad completely.
10. Check for third-party program conflicts
Some third-party apps and programs might affect your mouse. If you installed dedicated tweaking tools for pointing devices, these may cause various mouse issues, including right-click issues.
Uninstall these tools and use the built-in mouse settings available on your PC.
11. Remove recently installed software
Go toStart, typecontrol panel, and select the program(s) recently added, then clickUninstall.
If you recently installed new software on your computer, try uninstalling it. Just like the mouse tweaking tools that we talked about earlier, various other third-party tools may cause right-click to stop working properly.
Then restart your computer, and see if the issue has been solved.
12. Update your NVIDIA drivers
Many users noticed that mouse problems in Creators Update are prevalent for NVIDIA drivers. If right-click is not working after you upgrade to the latest OS version, try installing the latest motherboard driver.
You can manually download the available drivers for your NVIDIA computer from thecompany’s official website.
13. Change power management settings for USB Root Hub
Many users reported that they fixed right-click bugs by changing the power management settings of the USB Root Hub.
Repeat the same steps for all USB Root Hub devices listed in the Device Manager.
14. Run a full system scan
Malware may cause various issues on your computer, including errors and hardware and software malfunctions. Perform a full system scan in order to detect any malware running on your computer.
You can use Windows’ built-in antivirus, Windows Defender, orthird-party antivirussolutions.
15. Update your OS
Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine. As a quick reminder, Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates in order to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues.
To access the Windows Update section, you can simply type update in the search box. This method works on all Windows versions. Then go to Windows Update, check for updates and install the available updates.
Any of the above fixes could feasibly get the right-click context menu working again. This is usually a software error, so you shouldn’t need a new mouse.
When you’ve fixed the context menu, check out this guide to learn how tocustomize Windows 10 context menufor further customization tips.
In case you’re having additional problems, we have a guide on what to do if themiddle mouse button is not working, so don’t hesitate to check it out.
If you have any additional questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
More about the topics:Fix mouse issues,mouse,touchpad,windows 10
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
