Right Click Not Working in Windows 10? 19 Ways to Fix

Every way we could think of

Are you having trouble performing a right-click (or secondary click) with a mouse or touchpad in Windows 10? Since you can’t do serious work without access to any context menus, this is a problem that needs to be solved ASAP. Sure, you can right-click using your keyboard, but that isn’t exactly a practical long-term solution!

Many factors – such as minor bugs, outdated drivers, and incorrect settings – can prevent Windows 10 from registering the right-click from your PC’s pointing device. However, the list of troubleshooting tips and fixes below should help you fix when right-click is not working in Windows 10.

1. Restart File Explorer

If you could right-click on the mouse or touchpad just before the issue started, you can try restarting File Explorer. That often ends up getting rid of any random glitches with context menus.

PressWindows+Xand selectTask Manager.
SelectMore detailsto expand the default Task Manager view.
Locate and selectWindows Explorerunder the Processes tab. Then, selectRestart.

2. Restart Windows 10

Restarting File Explorer alone may not end up fixing right-click problem in Windows 10. If the issue persists, you should continue by rebooting Windows 10. Do that now before moving on to the next fix.

3. Disconnect/Reconnect Mouse

Unplugging an external pointing device from your PC and plugging it back again is another way to fix odd input-related snags in Windows 10. If the mouse or touchpad has an ON/OFF switch, you should also try flicking it back and forth to reboot the internal circuitry.

4. Check Mouse Settings

If the buttons on your mouse appear to have flipped (as in the left mouse button right-clicks and vice-versa), you must use the Settings app in Windows 10 to fix that.

Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.
SelectDevices.
Switch to theMouseside-tab. Then, open the pull-down menu underSelect your primary buttonand selectLeft.

5. Check Touchpad Settings

When using a touchpad, you must confirm if you’ve set up the right-click or secondary click operation to register the way you want.

Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.
SelectDevices.
Switch to theTouchpadside-tab. Then, check the input settings under theTapssection for right-click-related configuration settings.

For instance, you must enableTap with two fingers to right-clickif you want to perform a secondary click by tapping with two fingers on the touchpad.

6. Check Mouse/Touchpad Support Software

Input devices can come with dedicated support software that overrides the default mouse and touchpad options in Windows 10’s Settings app. If you’ve installed such a program, open it and modify any settings related to the right-click operation as needed.

7. Remove Recently Installed Software

If the issue occurred right after installing a third-party application, you’re probably dealing with a software-related conflict. Tryremoving the program from your computerand check if that helps.

8. Disable Third-Party Customization Programs

Third-party mouse customization programs (such asMouse Manager) are another reason right-click may stop working in Windows 10. If you have something similar installed on your computer, review the mouse key bindings to ensure that you’ve set them up correctly. You may also want to remove the application from your computer.

9. Disable Windows 10 Tablet Mode

Are you using Windows 10 in Tablet Mode? Due to the user interface’s touchscreen-oriented nature, right-clicking with a mouse or touchpad can result in problems. Try disabling Tablet Mode using theTablet modetile in theAction Center.

10. Reinstall Mouse/Touchpad Drivers

Reinstalling the mouse or touchpad on your computer can fix issues caused by corrupt input device drivers.

PressWindows+Xand select the option labeledDevice Manager.
ExpandMice and other pointing devicesand select your mouse or touchpad.
Open theActionmenu and chooseUninstall device.
Check the box next toDelete the driver software for the deviceand selectUninstall.
Reboot your computer. You can’t use your pointing device anymore, so pressCtrl+Alt+Deleteand selectPower>Restartwith the keyboard’s directional arrow keys instead. Windows 10 should automatically add back the mouse/touchpad after it finishes rebooting.

11. Update Mouse/Touchpad Drivers

If you continue to have issues performing the right-click on your computer, you must search the mouse/touchpad manufacturer’s website for dedicated drivers and install them. You can also use a driver updater tool to obtain updates automatically.

12. Update Windows 10

New Windows 10 updates can contain fixes for any known issues with your mouse or touchpad. If you haven’t updated your computer recently, consider doing that now.

SelectSettingson theStartmenu.
SelectUpdate & Security.
Switch to theWindows Updatesside-tab and chooseCheck for updates.

If your computer detects any updates, go ahead and install them. If you see any hardware-related updates listed underView optional updates, install them as well.

13. Change Power Management Settings for USB Hub

Another way to fix right-click-related issues with external pointing devices is to stop your PC from cutting off power to its USB ports.

Open the Device Manager.
ExpandUniversal Serial Bus controllersand pick an instance ofUSB Root Hub.
Open theActionmenu and selectProperties.
Switch to thePower Managementtab and uncheck the box next toAllow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
SelectOK.
Repeat for all other instances ofUSB Root Hub.

14. Scan for Malware

Malicious programs can hijack various functions in Windows 10 and prevent them from working correctly. Hence, it’s a good idea to scan for andremove malware using Windows Security. If it fails to detect anything, follow up by checking the entire system with adedicated malware removal toolsuch asMalwarebytes.

15. Run the System File Checker

Do you still keep running into issues with right-click not working on your PC? Tryusing the System File Checkerto fix any system-related errors.

PressWindows+Sto open Windows Search. Then, typecmdand selectOpen as administrator.
Typesfc /scannowinto the Command Prompt console.
PressEnterto run the System File Checker.

16. Disable Local Group Policy Setting

If the right-click operation only fails to work within File Explorer and the desktop area, a specific local group policy setting is the likely reason. You must disable it.

PressWindows+R, typegpedit.msc, and selectOKto launch theLocal Group Policy Editor.
SelectUser Configuration. Then, expandAdministrative Templates>Windows Components>File Explorer.
Locate and double-click the policy labeledRemove File Explorer’s default context menu.
Select the radio button next toNot ConfiguredorDisabled.
SelectApply>OK.

17. Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions

Third-party shell extensions insert various options into right-click context menus. That canslow things down or prevent menus from loadingat all. You can disable problematic shell extensions using ShellExView.

Download and openShellExView.
Open theOptionsmenu and selectFilter By Extension Type.
ChooseContext Menuand selectOK.
Locate third-party (non-Microsoft) shell extensions using theDescription,Product Name, andCompanycolumns.
Select a third-party shell extension and press theF7key to disable it. You must confirm if you can right-click after that. Keep repeating until you come across the extension causing the issue.

18. Update Programs

If right-click-related issues only crop up within a specific program on your computer, try updating it. You can usually find the option to update an application inside itsHelpmenu orSettingspage. Or, you can check for new versions on the developer’s website. You may also want to consider reinstalling the program.

19. Reset Windows 10

Did none of the fixes above help? If the mouse or touchpad works correctly on another Windows 10 device, you’re likely dealing with deep-rooted issues in the operating system. You can fix that byresetting Windows 10 to factory settings.

If your pointing device fails to right-click on other computers as well (or if you still have issues with the built-in touchpad on a laptop), it’s time to repair or replace it.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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Right Click Not Working in Windows 10? 19 Ways to Fix#

1. Restart File Explorer#

2. Restart Windows 10#

3. Disconnect/Reconnect Mouse#

4. Check Mouse Settings#

5. Check Touchpad Settings#

6. Check Mouse/Touchpad Support Software#

7. Remove Recently Installed Software#

8. Disable Third-Party Customization Programs#

9. Disable Windows 10 Tablet Mode#

10. Reinstall Mouse/Touchpad Drivers#

11. Update Mouse/Touchpad Drivers#

12. Update Windows 10#

13. Change Power Management Settings for USB Hub#

14. Scan for Malware#

15. Run the System File Checker#

16. Disable Local Group Policy Setting#

17. Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions#

18. Update Programs#

19. Reset Windows 10#

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