Can’t Click on Anything in Windows 11? 8 Fixes

A frustrating problem is solved for you

Windows users have been reporting a frustrating glitch where it becomes impossible to click on or interact with anything. This glitch appears to affect users on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and can be difficult to deal with.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain the eight best fixes when you can’t click on anything in Windows 11.

Quick Guide to Navigating PC Without a Mouse

Before we begin troubleshooting, it’s important to understand how to navigate your PC’s files and folders without using a mouse. Luckily, Microsoft includes ways to get pretty much anything done without a cursor. Here are themajor keyboard shortcutsto be aware of:

With that out of the way, let’s get into the solutions.

1. Restart the App

If you’re unable to interact with a single app or program, but you can still click elsewhere, then the issue lies with that app. The best way to deal with this is by restarting the program.

To do so:

2. Check Your Mouse

The first thing to do is check that you haven’t accidentally loosened the mouse’s connection to your PC. Check all cables to ensure that it’s plugged in correctly. If it is, quickly scan the cable for damage.

When you’re using a Bluetooth mouse, check that the batteries haven’t died on you and ensure that it’s connected to your PC.

The mouse itself may be at fault. To confirm this, try connecting another mouse (if you have one laying around). If that works, the original mouse is likely the cause of the glitch.

3. Restart Windows Explorer in the Task Manager

The explorer.exe process is a core Windows file that is responsible for running most of the user interface (UI) on Windows computers. Like all programs, it can occasionally glitch, causing users to be unable to click on anything in the UI.

To reboot the explorer.exe process:

If you still can’t use your mouse button, move to the next step.

4. Restart Your Computer

The next thing to do is to restart Windows. Rebooting your PC can help clear out any temporary glitches and get it running normally once again.

Without the use of your mouse, you’ll have to use analternative method to restart your PC:

5. Uninstall Recently Installed Apps

If you’ve recently installed a new app related to your mouse, it may be causing the bug. To check this, you can try uninstalling the new software as follows:

6. Check Your Device Drivers

When you plug in new devices, they often install drivers that help Windows interface with the device so that it runs as it should. The same goes for pointing devices like mice. Occasionally, new drivers can cause unexpected errors, or old drivers may become incompatible with the latest Windows updates.

To check this:

7. Run the Device Troubleshooter

The Windows troubleshooter can help you find problems with apps and devices that might otherwise go unnoticed. To use this feature:

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

8. Perform a System Restore

If nothing else has worked, it’s time to pull out the big guns. A system restore will return your PC to its previous state — hopefully, to a state that isn’t experiencing this glitch.

To use system restore:

Point and Click

Being unable to click things is one of the worst glitches you can experience, since it’s so hard to fix. Luckily, the Windows operating system includes ways to navigate the UI using your keyboard so that it’s possible to fix the vexing issue.

Hopefully, this article has helped you troubleshoot any Windows clicking issues so that you can get back to using your PC as usual.

Jake Harfield is an Australian freelance writer whose passion is finding out how different technologies work. He has written for several online publications, focusing on explaining what he has learned to help others with their tech problems. He’s an avid hiker and birder, and in his spare time you’ll find him in the Aussie bush listening to the birdsong.Read Jake’s Full Bio

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